#Histfic Publishing & Reviewing Trends for Feb/May 2013 #HNS2013

 
As part of the preparation for our HNS2013 panel on Off the Beaten Path books, we wanted to get a really solid grounding and definition—one can have an intuition about what's off the beaten path, but we wanted to have facts.

As a reminder, our definition of mainstream was:

There’s nothing wrong with popularity! But with so many books out there and only so much time and space for promotion, the most popular themes naturally get the most attention, while others remain out of the spotlight.

In this panel we will explore current themes and trends in historical fiction and take a look at some books that veer off these paths. Our goal is to show readers the wide variety of historical fiction available to them, and to show writers that there is an audience for every story. If you’ve ever asked, “Doesn’t anyone write (…)?” this panel is for you.

In this panel, “mainstream” refers to the most well-known settings, eras, characters, and/or styles in current historical fiction.

What our definition of mainstream is NOT:
- A method of publishing
- A list of targeted topics
- Overdone (aka “popular = bad”)

So, what does the HF landscape look like? We did a combined analysis of both the February and May 2013 Historical Novels Review, both print and online (which included Big 5/6 and their imprints, independent presses, small presses, and self-published books).

What we found was interesting but, honestly, not super surprising.

Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Lead the Way

• The 19th and 20th century represent 65% of all books reviewed
• England and America are neck and neck for most popular location (England most popular in the February HNR, America in May)
• The Big 5/6 and their imprints comprised 40%+ of all books reviewed
• In May, 20th century England comprised almost 50% of all Big 5/6 books

Independent, Small Press, and Self-Published Books Fill in the Gaps

• Self-published books lead the way for settings Ancient to 11th century
• Small press & independent represent most 12th through 16th
• "Unusual" locations (e.g., not America, England, Australia, or France) represent only 20% of the books during the period
• Independent publishers (e.g., large publishers not affiliated with Big 5/6 or imprints) and Self-Pub have the widest variety of location and time period

Continuing Challenges

• Only two books out of the hundreds reviewed were not heteronormative
• Protagonists who are persons of color represented only a very small number of books published in the period

Big 5/6 Are Dipping Their Toes

• While the other publishing types do take the most chances in terms of off the beaten path settings, eras, or protagonists, the Big 5/6 and their imprints definitely go off the beaten path (though it tends to be the exception)

Sarah Johnson also did a fantastic analysis of the February 2013 Historical Novels Review if you're interested in more detail.


Why Go Off the Beaten Path?
It can be intimidating to go outside your comfort zone when reading (or writing)—and mainstream books are popular for a reason (they're interesting and good!).

But sometimes you just want something different. Why read off the beaten path?

• Intellectual stimulation; boredom with existing trends
• You're naturally curious
• Over-saturation with current trends
• Wanderlust (a particular affliction of mine!)
• A desire to see fresh life given to old themes and stories
• A desire to see protagonists that are more relevant to your life experience (LGBTQ for example)
• For writers, it's a kind of blank slate; readers don't necessarily have pre-conceived notions and aren't armchair experts on your era/location

Finding Off the Beaten Path Books Can Sometimes Be Challenging—But Worth Your While
Because these kinds of books don't necessarily get the attention a mainstream book would, they can be more difficult to find.

Some fantastic resources for finding these kinds of books are:

• Historical Novels Review (both print and online)
• Goodreads (both friends' feeds and their List feature)
• Unusual Historicals
• Book bloggers (Unabridged Chick, Queen's Quill Review, A Bookish Affair, Passages to the Past, The Maiden's Court, Let Them Read Books, Oh for the Hook of a Book, The Lit Bitch, Historical Novel Review, So Many Books So Little Time, Peeking Between the Pages,Confessions of an Avid Reader, Historical Tapestry, Royalty Free Fiction, Reading the Past)
• Our ongoing list of Highly Recommended Historical Fiction Off the Beaten Path

Highly Recommended #Histfic Off the Beaten Path #HNS2013

This list began as a panel at the 2013 HNS Conference called 'Historical Fiction Off the Beaten Path', presented by Andrea Connell of The Queen's Quill Review, author Heather Domin, Audra Friend of Unabridged Chick, and author Julie K. Rose. We drew up a short list of books published within the last five years that fall outside current publishing trends in one or more of the following ways:

• lesser-known locations or time periods
• unusual protagonists or points of view
• lack of famous historical figures
• POC (people of color) or LGBTQ protagonists
• mixing of genres or sub-genres
• unusual choices in style or structure

To that list we've added all the books suggested by the panel audience, as well as additional books suggested since. (initials are included) This list is by no means exhaustive and will continue to grow, so check back to see what's been added, and send us your suggestions!

We're focusing on books published within the last decade, but older books worth mentioning are fine too.

There have been plenty of great books that fit these guidelines since this list was compiled in June 2013. If you have additions to the list, please comment below!

AC = Andrea Connell
AF = Audra Friend
HD = Heather Domin
JR = Julie Rose
Panel = suggestions provided during the panel
Initial.Lastname = suggestions provided via comment or email

Ancient World

Alcestis (2010) by Katharine Beutner — Greece
[HD, JR]: genre mixing (fantasy), unusual setting, LGBTQ

Part Greek mythology, part women’s fiction, part metaphysical rumination, part literary opus, with a bonus lesbian liaison – this book defies categorization, and the result is a truly unconventional historical novel. - HD  

Augustus (1972) by John Edward Williams — Rome
[panel]: unusual style (epistolary)

Daughter of Kura (2009) by Debra Austin — Paleolithic Africa
[HD]: unusual setting
Set on the plains of Paleolithic Africa, this story of a young woman’s journey from matriarch to outcast paints a fascinating picture of our early human ancestors without the use of fantastical elements. - HD  

Lavinia (2008) by Ursula K. LeGuin — Etruria
[JR]: unusual setting

The Sweet Girl (2012) by Annabel Lyon — Greece
[AF]: unusual setting

The Wedding Shroud (2009) by Elizabeth Storrs — Etruria
[HD]: unusual setting

Thunderbolt: Torn Enemy of Rome (2012) by Roger Kean — Carthage
[HD]: genre mixing (action/romance), unusual setting, LGBTQ

Written in Ashes (2011) by K. Hollan VanZandt — Egypt
[AF]: unusual setting

 

1st Century

Lily of the Nile (2011) & Song of the Nile (2011) by Stephanie Dray — Rome, Egypt
[AF, JR]: genre mixing (magical realism), unusual setting 

The Soldier of Raetia (2009) by Heather Domin — Rome, Germany
[JR]: genre mixing (adventure/romance), unusual setting, LGBTQ
One of my favorite books. Beautifully written and engrossing. You feel transported in time and place. - JR

 

2nd Century

Eromenos (2011) by Melanie McDonald — Rome
[AF]: unusual setting, unusual style, LGBTQ

 

3rd Century

The Siege (2011) & The Imperial Banner (2012) by Nick Brown — Syria
[HD]: unusual setting, unusual protagonist

 

6th Century

The Dragon's Harp (2012) by Rachael Pruitt — Wales
[JR]: genre mixing (fantasy), unusual setting

The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora (2013) by Stephanie Thornton — Constantinople
[AF]: unusual setting

7th Century

The Woman at the Well (2011) & The Sword of God (2012) by Ann Chamberlin — Syria
[JR; Kim Rendfeld]: unusual setting, POC

 

8th Century

Seidman (2012) by Erich James — Iceland
[HD]: genre mixing (paranormal/romance, YA), unusual setting, LGBTQ

The Cross and the Dragon (2012) by Kim Rendfeld — Francia
[AC, HD]: unusual setting

Under Heaven (2010) by Guy Gavriel Kay — China
[JR]: genre mixing (alternate history), unusual setting

 

9th Century

The Bone Thief (2012) by V.M. Whitworth — Wessex
[HD]: unusual setting

Pope Joan (1996) by Donna Woolfolk Cross — England, Rome
[T. Pilgrim]: unusual protagonist

 

11th Century

Illuminations (2012) by Mary Sharratt — Germany
[AF]: unusual setting

Shadow on the Crown (2012) by Patricia Bracewell — England
[JR]: unusual setting

Shieldwall (2011) by Justin Hill — England
[P. Bracewell]: unusual setting

The Forever Queen (2010) & I Am the Chosen King (2011) by Helen Hollick — Anglo-Saxon England
[P. Bracewell]: unusual setting, unusual protagonist

 

12th Century

Mistress of the Art of Death (2007) by Ariana Franklin — England
[panel]: unusual protagonist

 

13th Century

A Thing Done (2012) by Tinney Sue Heath — Florence
[JR]: unusual setting, unusual protagonist

Cuzcatlán Where the Southern Sea Beats (1987) by Manlio Argueta — Pre-Columbian South America
[panel]: unusual setting

Something Red (2010) by Douglas Nicholas — England
[HD]: genre mixing (horror), no famous figures

Sultana (2011) & Sultana's Legacy (2012) by Lisa Yarde — Moorish Spain
[HD, JR]: unusual setting, POC protagonists

 

15th Century

A Prince to be Feared (2012) by Mary Lancaster — Romania
[AF]: unusual setting

I, Iago (2012) by Nicole Galland — Venice
[AF]: unusual setting

 

16th Century

Equal of the Sun (2012) by Anita Amirrezvani — Persia
[AF]: unusual setting

In the Garden of Iden (1997) by Kage Baker — England
[HF]: genre mixing (light sci-fi)

The Queen's Rivals (2013) by Brandy Purdy — England
[panel]: unusual protagonist

The Raven's Heart (2011) by Jesse Blackadder — England
[AF]: LGBTQ

Tom Fleck (2010) by Harry Nicholson — England
[HD]: unusual protagonist, no famous figures
A delightful, folksy adventure set in rural England and Scotland, this novel uses a likable everyman to tell the story of ordinary people in an extraordinary time, including a rare look at Jewish life in Tudor England. - HD

 

17th Century

A House Near Luccoli (2012) by D.M. Denton — Genoa
[K. Rendfeld]: unusual setting, genre mixing (literary)

Peony in Love (2007) by Lisa See — China
[T. Pilgrim]: unusual setting, POC protagonist

The Book of Seven Hands (2013) by Barth Anderson — Spain
[JR]: genre mixing (paranormal), no famous figures, LGBTQ

The Midwife's Tale (2013) by Sam Thomas — England
[AF]: unusual protagonist

The Orphanmaster (2012) by Jean Zimmerman — Amsterdam
[AF]: unusual setting

The Tito Amato series series (2004-2009) by Beverle Graves Myers — Venice
[panel]: unusual setting, unusual protagonist

The Temple Dancer (2006) by John Speed — India
[S. McDuffie]: unusual setting

The Tsar's Dwarf (2006) by Peter H. Fogtal — Russia
[panel]: unusual protagonist

White Heart (2013) by Julie Caton — New France
[panel]: unusual protagonist, no famous figures

 

18th Century

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (1985) by Patrick Suskind — France
[panel]: unusual protagonist, genre mixing (horror)

Sea Witch (2006) by Helen Hollick — "Pirate Round" South Africa to the Caribbean
[AC]: unusual setting, genre mixing (fantasy)

Spirit of Lost Angels (2012) by Liza Perat — France
[AC]: unusual setting, LGBTQ
A bittersweet, multilayered tale that will touch your heart, told in a humble yet strong and powerful voice during a time of revolution and female suppression. – AC  

The Blighted Troth (2011) by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer — New France
[AF]: unusual setting, genre mixing (Gothic)

The Mirrored World (2012) by Debra Dean — Russia
[AF]: unusual setting

The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones (2013) by Jack Wolf — England
[AF]: unusual setting, genre mixing (horror)

Ti Marie (2007) by Valerie Belgrave — Trinidad
[HD]: unusual setting, POC protagonist

 

19th Century

Bone River (2012) by Megan Chance — Washington Territory
[panel]: unusual premise, genre mixing (paranormal)

Burning Silk (2010) by Destiny Kinal — France, America
[AC]: unusual setting, unusual protagonist
A sensual and sensitive story written in lush prose. – AC   

Butterfly’s Child (2011) by Angela Davis-Gardner — Japan, Illinois
[AF]: unusual setting

The Crimson Petal and the White (2002) by Michael Faber — England
[panel]: genre mixing (literary, romance)

Daughter of the Sky (2013) by Michelle Diener — South Africa
[AF]: unusual setting

Gillespie and I (2011) by Jane Harris — Scotland
[AF]: unusual protagonist

Gods of Gotham (2012) by Lyndsay Faye — New York City
[AF]: unusual setting

Island of Wings (2011) by Karin Altenberg — St. Kilda islands
[AF]: unusual setting

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2004) by Susanna Clarke — England
[panel]: genre mixing (fantasy)

Miss Fuller (2012) by April Bernard — Rome, New York
[AF]: unusual protagonists

Parlor Games (2013) by Maryka Biaggio — Chicago
[AF]: unusual protagonist

Syncopation: A Memoir of Adèle Hugo (2012) by Elizabeth Caulfield Felt — France
[T. Heath]: unusual protagonist, unusual style

Slant of Light (2012) by Steve Weigenstein — Missouri Ozarks
[AF]: unusual setting

The Family Mansion (2013) by Anthony C. Winkler — Jamaica
[AF]: unusual setting

The Ghost Bride (2013) by Yangsze Choo — Malaysia
[JR]: unusual setting, genre mixing, POC main characters

The Golem and the Jinni (2013) by Helene Wecker — New York City
[AF]: genre mixing (mythology), POC main characters

The Luminist (2011) by David Rocklin — Ceylon
[AF]: unusual setting

The Master (2003) by Colm Tóibín — England
[panel] unusual style

The 19th Wife (2008) by David Ebershoff — Utah
[panel]: unusual protagonist, time-slip, genre mixing (literary)

The Personal History of Rachel duPree (2008) by Ann Weisgarber — South Dakota
[AF]: unusual setting, POC main characters

The Oracle of Stamboul (2011) by Michael David Lukas — Turkey/Ottoman Empire
[AF]: unusual setting

The Rose of Sebastopol (2007) by Katharine McMahon — England, Crimea
[AF]: unusual setting

The Sultan's Seal (2007) by Jenny White — Turkey
[S. McDuffie]: unusual setting

The Thing About Thugs (2010) by Tabish Khair — England
[AF]: POC protagonist

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno (2010) by Ellen Bryson — New York City [panel]: unusual characters and premise

The Virgin Cure (2011) by Ami McKay — New York City
[AF]: unusual protagonist

Whip Smart: Lola Montez Conquers the Spaniards (2012) by Kit Brennan — England, Spain, France
[AF]: unusual setting

Yashim the Eunuch Series by Jason Goodwin (The Janissary Tree 2006, The Snake Stone 2007, and The Bellini Card 2007) — Istanbul, Venice
[S. McDuffie]: unusual settings, unusual protagonist

 

20th Century

A Different Sky (2010) by Meira Chand — Singapore 
[AF]: unusual setting, POC protagonist

Cascade (2012) by Maryanne O'Hara — New England
[AF, JR]: unusual setting, no famous figures
Complicated, frustrating, very real characters and a lovely evocation of 1930s America, beautifully written. - JR  

Dina's Lost Tribe (2010) by Brigitte Goldstein — France
[panel]: time slip, unusual premise

Fires of London (2012) by Janice Law — England
[AF]: LGBTQ

Oleanna (2012) by Julie K. Rose — Norway
[AC, AF, HD]: genre mixing (literary), unusual setting, no famous figures
A gently told tale with quiet depth, atmospherically stark yet richly detailed. - AC  

Our Man in the Dark (2011) by Rashad Harrison — Southern U.S.
[AF]: POC protagonist

Seal Woman (2007) by Solveig Eggerz — Germany, Iceland
[JR]: genre mixing (literary), unusual setting 

So beautifully written and so present and real—I felt like I was reading a biography and not a work of fiction. - JR  

Skeleton Women (2012) by Mingmei Yip — China
[AF]: unusual setting, POC protagonist

Small Wars (2009) by Sadie Jones — Cypress
[AF]: unusual setting

The Concubine's Gift (2011) by K Ford K — China, Nevada
[AC]: unusual setting, genre mixing (fantasy)
A tastefully handled and respectful exploration of sexuality and a lightening-fast fun read. - AC  

The Detroit Electric Scheme (2010) by D.E. Johnson — Detroit
[AF]: unusual setting

The Edge of Ruin (2010) by Irene Fleming — New York City
[HD]: unusual setting and premise
This short, fast-paced mystery is set in the early days of the American film industry, with an ensemble of quirky characters, an unusual setting and premise, and an interesting peek into a little-known world.  – HD  

The Farming of Bones (1997) by Edwidge Danticat — Haiti
[AF]: unusual setting, POC protagonist

The Gods of Heavenly Punishment (2013) by Jennifer Cody Epstein — Japan
[AF]: unusual setting, POC protagonist

The Orchardist (2012) by Amanda Coplin — Pacific Northwest
[AF]: unusual setting, no famous figures

 

2013 Releases We Want to Check Out!

Ancient
Heirs of Fortune by Heather Domin (Germania) [JR]
Hetaera by J.A. Coffey (Greece, Egypt) [AF]
Medea by Kerry Greenwood (Greece) [AF]
Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson (Ice Age Europe) [HD]
The Golden Dice by Elizabeth Storrs (Etruria) [HD]

3rd Century
The Far Shore by Nick Brown (Syria)[HD]

7th Century Hild by Nicola Griffith (Britain) [AC, AF, JR, P. Bracewell]
The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin (China) [HD]

9th Century
The Traitor's Pit by V.M. Whitworth (Britain) [HD]

13th Century
Sultana: Two Sisters by Lisa Yarde (Spain) [HD, JR]

18th Century
Benjamin Franklin's Bastard by Sally Cabot (America) [AF]
Revolutionary by Alex Myers (America) [AF]
The Purchase by Linda Spalding (America) [AF]

19th Century
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Iceland) [AC, AF, JR]
Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown (nautical) [AF]
Linen Shroud by Destiny Kinal (America) [AC]
Palmerino by Melissa Pirtchard (Italy) [AC, JR]
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier (American Midwest) [AF]
The Mask Carver's Son by Alyson Richman (Japan, France) [AF]
The Mountain of Light by Indu Sundaresan (India) [AC, AF]
The Outcasts by Kathleen Kent (Texas) [AF]
The Movement of Stars by Amy Brill (New England) [AF]
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell by William Klaber (New York) [AF]
The Specimen by Martha Lea (England, Brazil) [AF]

20th Century  
Above All Things by Tanis Rideout (UK, Himalayas) [AF]
A True Novel by Minae Mizumura (Japan, America) [AC]
The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee (Iran) [AC]
The Lion Seeker by Kenneth Bonert (South Africa) [AC]

 

Additional Resources

Europa Editions
Goodreads
Historical Novel Society Review Index
Historical Novel Society Indie Reviews
Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Book Bloggers

• A Bookish Affair 
• Confessions of an Avid Reader 
• Historical Novel Review  
• Historical Tapestry 
• Let Them Read Books  
• Oh for the Hook of a Book
• Passages to the Past 
• Peeking Between the Pages 
• Queen's Quill Review 
• Reading the Past
• Royalty Free Fiction 
• So Many Books So Little Time 
• The Lit Bitch  
• The Maiden's Court 
• Unabridged Chick

 

#HNS2013 Q&As with Panelists and Speakers

As part of the run-up to the 2013 Historical Novel Society conference (next week!), Q&As are being hosted each day with different event panelists and speakers—and today, Margaret Cook at Just One More Chapter is hosting a Q&A with me!

You can find the full list of all of the Q&As at the HNS Conference website.

#HNS2013 Panel: Historical Fiction Off the Beaten Path

I'm super excited to be part of the Historical Fiction Off the Beaten Path panel at the HNS conference. I'll be chatting with book bloggers Andrea Connell and Audra Friend, and fellow author Heather Domin, on Saturday, June 22 from 2:45-3:45 p.m. (in Plaza C).

Here's a bit of background on our panel, and a clarification about what we mean when we say "mainstream" and "off the beaten path":

There’s nothing wrong with popularity! But with so many books out there and only so much time and space for promotion, the most popular themes naturally get the most attention, while others remain out of the spotlight.

In this panel we will explore current themes and trends in historical fiction and take a look at some books that veer off these paths. Our goal is to show readers the wide variety of historical fiction available to them, and to show writers that there is an audience for every story. If you’ve ever asked, “Doesn’t anyone write (…)?” this panel is for you.

In this panel, “mainstream” refers to the most well-known settings, eras, characters, and/or styles in current historical fiction.

What our definition of mainstream is NOT:
- A method of publishing
- A list of targeted topics
- Overdone (aka “popular = bad”)

As part of the panel, we'll also be providing a list of our favorite off the beaten path historical fiction from the last few years, as well as books coming out soon that we can't wait to get our hands on!