Anne here. Late last year a new writer asked me about the market for historicals. She'd been told that historicals were passé, that nobody smart was writing them any more. (The timing of the question is significant, because things have changed since then. But more of that later.)
It's not a new idea. When I first started writing historical romance, so many people warned me off the idea. "Historicals are dead," they told me confidently. "Nobody's buying them any more, not publishers, not readers."
I found that hard to believe. I've always loved historicals of all kinds — not just romance — but when I started writing with the aim of being published, that was the general consensus.
But I'd grown up reading Georgette Heyer and others, and I found it hard to believe that there would be no market for the kind of stories I loved. Besides the book I was writing (Gallant Waif) was itching to be written, regardless of whether any publisher would want it. So I kept writing.
I wrote to the major US publishers, asking them if they'd be interested in my "Regency" and they all wrote back saying they weren't publishing Regencies any longer. So it seemed as though "people" were right. (But again, more of that later.)
But the book wanted to be written, so I kept writing. People thought I was mad. One of my friends even said, "Historicals? What's the point? Everyone's dead." Which was true, in a sense —the everybody being dead bit. But I would argue that a good character lives forever. So I ignored all the well-meaning advice. One of the pre-requisites, I believe, for being published is stubbornness and I have it.
In the end I sold that book to Harlequin UK, having first cut more than 40,000 words from it, in order to fit their required maximum word length. It was so hard to do, but I have to admit it improved the book.
But my very first reader, before any editor saw it, was Stephanie Laurens, who lives in the same town. We were put in touch by a mutual acquaintance and after a phone chat, Stephanie offered to read it. When we met, I learned that she'd just left Harlequin and had sold to Avon. She gave me her first cover flat — the first I'd ever seen. She told me she liked my manuscript and advised me to send it off.
I asked her whether she thought historicals were dead, and she laughed and said, "Nonsense!"
And the thing is, her Avon books were something a little different, and when they came out they made a splash, and if historicals were indeed dying (which I don't believe) her books helped keep the sub-genre alive.
And that's what happens. A new writer — I won't say reinvents a sub-genre, but reinvigorates it with a fresh take on the genre, and that creates buzz and attracts new readers to it, and entices former readers to return. Since I've been published I've seen it happen numerous times. Sometimes it's a historical with fantasy elements, sometimes it's historicals with a crime basis—the variety is endless.
As it turned out, my query to US publishers had been "wrongly" phrased. At that time in US publishing "a Regency" meant a traditional sweet regency story, which were indeed being phased out — though they have returned since. I later learned that had I queried my book as a "regency historical" they might have been interested. Ah, the learning curve.
Jane Austen wrote Regencies, though she was actually writing contemporary stories. It was Georgette Heyer who more or less invented the modern Regency romance, and still the classic style of a Regency romance continues to be written and bought and loved by readers, with new writers joining the throng all the time.
And in the last few decades, another method of reinvigoration has hit the market — historical romance on the screen. The various Jane Austen remakes brought Austen to a new, younger audience and, nearly two hundred years after her death, Jane Austen was suddenly a superstar, no longer only studied in English Literature courses, but huge in popular culture and beloved of people who'd never read her books.
Then Downton Abbey hit our screens, and suddenly the post-Victorian era were madly fashionable. And books set around that time were suddenly being published. Victorian-era romances boomed as well. (I recall, way back when, proposing a romance set in Victorian times and my English editor nixed it, saying the Victorian-era was too gloomy and depressing and readers wouldn't want to read books set in that time.)
And now it's the Netflix extravaganza, Bridgerton, which has brought a whole new audience to historical romance. After watching it, fans start with the Julia Quinn books, and once they've read them, hungry for more, they move on to other historical romance writers. I've followed discussions on line, and smile when I realize that so many of these enthusiastic fans of Bridgerton not only have never read historical romance before, in the past, they wouldn't have deigned to. Watching Bridgerton has opened their eyes to the fun of historical romance.
It's also a reimagining and re-presenting of history, which has provoked controversy and heated debate among lovers of historical romance. I look at it as a kind of fantasy historical romance — and I'm in favor of anything that brings more people to reading and appreciating historicals of all varieties. I don't want to open that debate — it's never-ending — but here's an article about the show that I thought was well balanced and interesting.
So, are historicals dead? Nope, and they won't ever be, as long as there are fresh ways of looking at history, imaginative writers who keep mining the past for wonderful tales, and readers hungry for good stories.
Over to you. What historicals of the past do you think have refreshed and reinvigorated the genre? Do you have any favorite historical screen adaptations? Are there any books that you've like to see turned into TV series or movies? I'll start by suggesting Georgette Heyer.
A very interesting article. I love historical novels they bring the past to life. There are so many authors that have got me interested in history, Kate Mosse, Barbara Erskine. I started reading Nicola because of Barbara Erskine and since then have discovered more new authors. Please keep writing ladies.
Posted by: Margaret Webb | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 02:11 AM
I have just returned from a visit to the local baker. The sun was shining as I set out, then it started to drizzle while I was buying bread and it poured down before I got home. In some ways historicals are like English weather. Mathematicians might imagine mapping sunshine onto romance, drizzle onto conflict and rain onto thwarted ambitions or tears. Looking through this prism it seems that every nuance in the weather has a correlate in romantic fiction and possibly vice versa. We English never tire of discussing the weather, now coupled to climate change. As a reader I find the large array of historical fiction writers, each with their individual styles, a never ending source of interest and enjoyment. From my standpoint I'm not sure that anything needs reinvigorating, though when new authors like Stephanie Laurens emerge, it certainly creates fascinating ripples. I'm constantly finding new authors to enjoy, both new and old. I'm not a great video/tv fan but think the Austen productions are hard to beat.... You have now made me feel tempted to join netflix to get the Bridgerton videos ... as I love Quinn's writing and humour.😊
Posted by: Quantum | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 04:01 AM
I love the Victorian era, specifically because it seemed gloomy, but it was also the time of photography, trains, telephones - and even cars.
But - yes. I read lots of Regencies even though I don't think I have what it takes to write it.
Not quite Jane Austen, but I've been wanting to write a "Last of the Mohicans" set in Australia since I was a little, young idiot and the movie came out.
And, guess what? That's my next book. I am SO excited about it. :)
Posted by: Sonya Heaney | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 04:31 AM
Oi- also: Harlequin asked me to recommend a Valentine's Day read this year, and it took me less than two minutes to decide on The Perfect Rake!
https://www.romance.com.au/what-romance-authors-are-reading-this-valentines-day/
Posted by: Sonya Heaney | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 04:42 AM
I am a romance junkie. I love me a love story. Contemporary is ok, but I prefer historical because ... well because I just love history. I see no reason to justify it. There are people who enjoy watching grown men and women playing games. Or watching super heros preforming extraordinary feats in action movies. Not my cup of tea but if people enjoy it - that's fine. But I know I'm not the only person who enjoys a good love story with a happy ending, and I feel we are way under represented in the movie and TV industry.
Not totally, but how many versions of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and JANE EYRE do we really need? I can think of many Georgette Heyer stories that would translate well to the screen. And many of the stories by current authors that I read would make lovely screen adaptations. So I say hooray for the Bridgerton series. I hope there are more.
Posted by: Mary T | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 05:36 AM
Yes please to Georgette Heyer films/tv series - a thousand times yes! As for books that reinvigorated the genre, the one that stands out for me is Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine. This wasn't the first timeslip I'd ever read (that was Daphne du Maurier's House on the Strand), but it was the first one to start a fashion for this type of book. I think it helped that the historical part was only half the story, thereby enticing readers who might not read historicals otherwise. When I started out I was also told that historicals were dead, but I totally agree with you - they never will be!
Posted by: Christina Courtenay | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 06:28 AM
I also agree that historicals never died. And: as a subgenre is has subgenres. I say this often, I ask for well-written, character driven books above all else. But I LIKE history and so I am very fond of historicals.
The genre which is my least favorite (unless true crime is a gener, I do dislike true crime!) is the western. But in the 1940s Saturday Evening Post had lots of Westerns. I would turn to the last of each issue, but I soon learned that some of those pictures accompanied "DIFFERENT" stories. Alas, I was young, and failed to notice the authors, so I will never know who wrote those Canadian stories (around Medicine Hat?) and the Australian out-back stories. I'd like to reread them. (And by now they ARE historicals; but the typical western is also a historical, just not a historical romance.)
Posted by: Sue McCormick | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 07:29 AM
I read Faro's Daughter for the first time last year and I keep going back to it. I loved it. That would make a great movie, IMO. I don't read as much historical romance as I used to, nowadays I prefer historical mysteries. Although, my favorite historical mysteries also have some romance in them. Many of those would make good movies. I just finished watching Miss Scarlet and the Duke on PBS and I loved it.
Posted by: Misti | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 09:32 AM
I'm glad that you're stubborn, Anne! Thanks for a thought provoking and enjoyable post.
Posted by: Kareni | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 10:26 AM
Thanks, Margaret. I think a lot of people who don't read historicals imagine that they must be like history books, or history lessons at school Instead they're just stories in a different setting.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:10 PM
Love your weather analogy, Quantum. Melbourne is also very weather conscious as we're known for "four seasons in one day" so the weather is always a useful source of conversational starters. *g*
I agree, those Austen productions are excellent — but there are still points of difference to debate — I still roll my eyes at that pig wandering through the Bennets' home in the Keira Knightly version.
If you do watch the Bridgerton production, I'd be interested to hear what you thought. Some Bridgerton fans love it, others are outraged by how it differs from the book. I think all screen adaptations are bound to be different. For a start books have a lot of people thinking and pondering, and that can't be shown on a screen.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:15 PM
Sonya, I agree, there's so much to the Victorian era, but that editor couldn't see it. (She also wouldn't let me write Australian-set historicals because "Australia only has gold and convicts and we've done them." And yet the book I'd proposed had nothing to do with either.)
Your new book sounds fascinating! Keep us posted.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:18 PM
Aw, aren't you lovely? Thanks so much
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:18 PM
Mary, I couldn't agree with you more. Lets move on from endless Austen remakes and film some Heyers. I think one of the reasons they haven't been made is because Heyer approved the making of The Reluctant Widow, but if you've seen it, you'll see how the film makers had no idea, and it's soooooo wrong. So after that she said no to everything, I think. Jen Kloester would know. I'll ask her.
And yes, Bridgerton is bringing so many more people to the historical romance genre, and yay for that!
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:22 PM
Do you know, I've never read Barbara Erskine, but I've lapped up time-slips for ages, and gobbled up yours and Nicola's and Susanna Kearsley's. And Pamela Hartshorne's. There are probably others I've forgotten to mention, and I expect names will keep jumping up at me for the rest of the day.
I loved your straight historicals too, and recommended them numerous times on our monthly WWR posts. :)
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:25 PM
" I ask for well-written, character driven books above all else"
Sue I couldn't agree more. I read in a wide range of genres and this is what the books I love all have in common.
I can't help you with the Canadian stories, but maybe if you told me what you recall about the Australian outback stories I might know some.
I don't like true crime either, though I read a lot of crime fiction. I have several crime recommendations coming up at the end of the month.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:29 PM
Thanks, Misti — I haven't yet seen Miss Scarlet and the Duke, but I've heard good things about it. As for faro's Daughter, that's one of my faves and I agree it would make a fabulous movie or TV series.
I've started rereading my Heyers, and recently read The Talisman Ring, which wasn't a favorite when I was young, but this time around I loved it and was in awe of her clever, sparkling dialogue.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:32 PM
Thanks, Kareni - probably one of the few situations where stubbornness is a good thing. *g*
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 03:33 PM
Anne you're in for a treat if you ever decide to read Lady of Hay. It's a brilliant read.
I too would love to see Georgette Heyer novels adapted for the screen. I absolutely love her books and reread them over and over.
I read the book Belgravia and then it was adapted for the tv. It was done really well and I reread the book after watching the series.
Very enjoyable post.
Posted by: Teresa Broderick | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 07:39 AM
A house on the strand is one of my favorite books Christina. I'm always recommending it to people :)
Posted by: Teresa Broderick | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 07:40 AM
I would happily watch any historical romance that gets made into a film-as long as there is a happy ending. I think HR is doing better than ever. I remember being starved for books 20 years ago, but now with e-books, and so many new authors continuing to pop up, I have more romances than I can keep up with! A few of my favorite "newer" authors are Mimi Matthews, Kate Bateman, Kelly Bowen and Evie Dunmore. And I still continue to read all my old favorites, including the Wenches.
Posted by: Karin | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 08:38 AM
I have always loved historical stories. I read some modern stories, but only by certain authors. I have enjoyed quite a few of the Jane Austen films.
I am a fan of good writing. As far as I am concerned, there have been many talented authors who write historical books and I have enjoyed a good many of them.
I am not a perfectionist. I do not have a heart attack if there are some minor things which are obviously not from the actual time period depicted. But, I do prefer good writing, relatively accurate plot and characters. I like historicals - and I certainly hope that all the naysayers are wrong. I reckon I would have to do a ton of rereading if there were no more new ones out there for me.
I hope that everyone is staying well.
Posted by: Annette N | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11:12 AM
One of my favorite authors, Julie McElwain, has a series called, "In Time." A production company in Hollywood has taken an option on it for a theatrical film. Maybe it will end up on TV instead given the option was taken before Covid.
The series is about an FBI agent, Kendra Donavon, who goes after the thug who killed her team, leaving her the only one who survived.
She disguises herself as an actress for an event at Aldridge Castle in the UK. As she approaches the killer, another assassin kills him, and she is the witness.
She goes into a stairwell to get away, only to be sent through a vortex to 1816 in the same castle.
The books must be read in order to get the full impact of Kendra having to adapt to Regency England.
"A Murder in Time"; "A Twist in Time"; "Caught in Time"; "Betrayal in Time"; "Shadows in Time"; and "Ripples in Time" coming out in 2021.
Posted by: Patricia Franzino | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 12:35 PM
Thanks for those recommendations, Teresa. I will try Lady of Hay. I'm always on the lookout for good, new-to-me authors. I haven't read or watched Belgravia yet, but I believe it was written by the same man who wrote Downton Abbey.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 02:02 PM
Yes Karen, the boom in self published books has meant a lot more historicals are available, including some of the oldie-but-goodie out of print ones, like those trad regencies. Authors like Mimi Matthews started that way and now she's with my publisher, Berkley. I recommended one of her books on a WWR post way back. *g*
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 02:05 PM
Thanks, Annette. Yes, I think one needs to me a little tolerant of small historical glitches — I've made a few myself, even though I try to get things right. But I suspect all readers have their cut-off line in that respect — the things we will tolerate and those that will make us give up on a book, and maybe an author.
As for rereading, I do a lot of that anyway.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 02:08 PM
Thanks for this recommendation, Patricia. I shall investigate Julie McElwaine.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 02:09 PM
Patricia - That is one of my favorite series. Can't wait till the next one!
Posted by: Jeanne Behnke | Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 03:47 PM
To me , Historicals: Mysteries, Romances and Novels are my go therapy from modern life, especially lately with the crazy years of politics.
Especially for the restraints on behavior in public gatherings of mixed company. The various forms of courtship or matchmaking.. and everyday life.
And also the social upheavals that were occurring with industrialization, social change of attitudes.
Catherine Cookson was a great favorite of mine, as well as,Nora Lofts and Elizabeth Peters, alas,they are gone now to their reward.
I have learned many thing about historical events as well. And made history come alive for me.
Keep them coming, if you write well, if you do not not use modern language or idioms, I’ll
Buy them and read them.
Love finding promising, new to me, authors of my favorite genres.
Posted by: Alyce | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 09:53 PM
I have favorites I do reread, Golden Urchine is one set in Australia, turn of the Century. A different historical, action, mystery and slow building romance.
Posted by: Alyce | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:00 PM
Alyce I think Golden Urchin is by Madeleine Brent, one of my favorite writers. https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Urchin-Madeleine-Brent/dp/0285641646/
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 06:00 PM
Thanks, Alyce. I also like finding new-to-me good authors.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 06:01 PM