Writing Great Historical Fiction: Lessons Learned 300 Years After Blackbeard’s Death
This year marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Edward Thache, the notorious privateer-turned-pirate known as Blackbeard. Here, historical fiction author Samuel Marquis, great-grandson of Captain William Kidd and author of a new book on Blackbeard, offers his best advice for writing great historical fiction.
Jeff Guinn: Conducting Field Research for More Authentic Nonfiction & Historic Fiction
Whether in novels or nonfiction, when it comes to adding authenticity, bestselling author Jeff Guinn takes field research to the next level.
11 Unconventional Resources to Kick Your Historical Fiction Up a Notch
Typical resources—histories, documentaries, Wikipedia, Google—can provide facts and figures, contribute context, but good historical fiction needs more. Here are eleven resources to shake loose the soul of your setting so it can sparkle on the page.
Writing From Other Cultural Perspectives Encourages Empathy and Understanding
In order to help readers imagine life in a different era or from different cultural perspectives, writers of historical fiction must do in-depth research and ask detailed questions.
6 Keys to Writing a Compelling Historical Novel
Writing the historical novel brings several unique challenges. Tailoring these techniques to your historical novel will help you capture and hold your readers’ attention.
New Literary Agent Alert: Justin Wells of Corvisiero Literary
Justin is looking to represent middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult novels. For middle grade, he is actively seeking fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure, and historical fiction. In young adult, he is seeking fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure, historical fiction, contemporary, and dystopian. For new adult, he is seeking...
New Literary Agent Alert: Quressa Robinson of D4EO Literary
Reminder: New literary agents (with this spotlight featuring Quressa Robinson of D4EO Literary) are golden opportunities for new writers because each one is a literary agent who is likely building his or her client list. About Quressa: Quressa Robinson joined the D4EO Literary Agency in 2016 and is actively building her client list. Quressa was...
New Literary Agent Alert: Aimee Ashcraft of Brower Literary
Reminder: New literary agents (with this spotlight featuring Aimee Ashcraft of Brower Literary) are golden opportunities for new writers because each one is a literary agent who is likely building his or her client list. About Aimee: Aimee has always loved books. She loved them so much that as a child, she was often caught sneakily...
5 Tips for Writing Historical Fiction
BY VICTORIA PATTERSON The Peerless Four, based on the historical precedent of the first women allowed to compete in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics in track and field on a trial basis, was a departure from my previous story collection and novel, Drift and This Vacant Paradise, both set at the end...
New Literary Agent Alert: Hannah Fergesen of KT Literary
She is seeking: I’m looking for YA and MG, as well as some select adult fiction.
How to Write Time-Travel Historical Fiction
Here are four smart, simple tips that should help writers navigate the murky waters of writing time-travel historical fiction.
New Literary Agent Alert: Kira Watson of Emma Sweeney Agency, LLC
She is Seeking: Kira is particularly interested in Children's Literature (YA & MG) with a strong narrative voice, well-crafted storylines, and memorable characters. Within YA & MG, Kira is actively seeking Realistic Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Magic Realism, Thriller/Mystery, Horror, Fantasy, and Historical Fiction. Stories with folklore elements, complex villains, morally...
How I Wrote a Historical Novel Set in an Era I Knew Nothing About
Five years ago, I knew nothing about the Progressive Era. I mean naught, nothing, nada. I had some vague notion that they washed their hair with egg yolks and drank Coca Cola laced with cocaine, but that was about it.
New Literary Agent Alert: Janna Bonikowski of The Knight Agency
She is Seeking: Women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, literary/commercial fiction, young adult, suspense.
New Literary Agent Alert: Tracy Marchini of BookEnds
Tracy Marchini is looking for picture book, middle grade and young adult manuscripts across most genres, including contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, magical realism, historical fiction, and non-fiction
New Literary Agent Alert: Sarah Manning of United Talent Agency
Currently Seeking: She is looking to actively build her list and represents both fiction and non-fiction. Sarah’s taste is varied and she enjoys crime, thrillers, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction, accessible literary fiction, fantasy and YA. She likes big ideas that look at events or characters from new perspectives.
7 Ways to Make Your Historical Novel Come Alive
What really makes an historical novel stand out is drawing on the knowledge you’ve gathered to create a world that is both vivid and believable. Here are seven tips for doing just that.
How I Got My Literary Agent: Amber Brock
Amber Brock, author of debut novel A FINE IMITATION (May 3, 2016, Crown), shares her long journey to representation and eventual publication.
How I Got My Literary Agent: Janet Fisher
Janet Fisher, author of THE SHIFTING WINDS (March 2016, Globe Pequot Press/TwoDot), shares her journey to representation and publication.
How I Got My Literary Agent: Aline Ohanesian
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Aline Ohanesian, author of ORHAN’S INHERITANCE. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are...
Author Interview: TJ Turner—Federal Agent by Day, Writer by Night
TJ Turner, author of debut novel LINCOLN'S BODYGUARD (April 2015, Oceanview), talks balancing writing and work, obtaining an agent, and other fun facts.
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Marian Palaia
Marian Palaia, author of 2015 novel THE GIVEN WORLD, talks about the top lessons she's learned about writing, including how to use words and write scenes.
Relating Historical Fiction Characters to a Contemporary Audience
Once you have built real people, that’s the time to put them into a historical context. Here's how to do both.
New Literary Agent Alert: Taylor Haggerty of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency
Taylor is seeking: "I am drawn to novels with a compelling voice and grounded, relatable characters that pull me into their world from the start. My favorite books have strong emotional elements that stay with me long after I finish reading. My current interests include young adult fiction, historical fiction, and...