Historical Fiction Fan Fest
Whenever my editor and I meet, we wind up having epic discussions about historical fiction. The books we loved, the books we hated, the books that shaped us; what we used to read, what we read now, the way the genre’s changed and where we’d like to see it go.
There’s always such joy in talking with someone who has read ALL the same books you have (and who was responsible for bringing Victoria Holt/Jean Plaidy back into print!)– so we decided, hey, why not share the conversation?
For the next three weeks, over at Book Studio 16 on Facebook, my editor and I will be live chatting about All Things Historical Fiction. Or, as we like to call it, the Historical Fiction Fan Fest. This Monday, we chatted about foundational titles in the genre, the books that shaped us and inspired us. Next Monday (3/11) we’ll discuss the challenges of researching, writing, and editing historical fiction. For our last installment, on Monday, 3/18, we’ll be talking about the way the genre has changed and the books we’re loving today.
If you didn’t catch us live, don’t worry! You can watch the recording over at Book Studio 16. And please feel free to join in with a comment even after the fact! We’ll continue checking and responding to comments long after the session is over.
In the meantime, you can watch the first session here.
What are your all time favorite works of historical fiction?
Alison Weir’s The Captive Queen about Eleanor of Aquitaine, spellbinding.
Philippa Gregory’s The White Queen, a tale of magic and dynasty.
C.W. Gortner’s The Confessions of Catherine de Medici; you really get inside her head.
C.W. Gornter’s The Queen’s Vow, a wonderful view inside the passionate and eventful marriage of Queen Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon.
Diane Haegar’s The Courtesan, all about Diane de Poitiers, fabulous and a look inside the lush court of France’s King Henry II.