I’m totally thrilled that I’ve been invited to join the Unusual Historicals blog! I love how they concentrate on a theme per month like “Food” and you can go to learn just a fascinating array of information from different cultures and time periods. With history (and I suspect most things), the more you learn outside of your sphere of expertise, the more cross-connections you can make, and the richer your experience becomes. I suppose that way of thinking may come from my cognitive science background.
Since the Golden Heart® award ceremony so many authors have contacted me to tell me how inspirational it is to see an unusual setting break into the historical romance market. This is premature. I mean, the book isn’t even near the shelf yet! But people have told me about their struggles writing in WWII or Italy or 17th century France.
Wow! I never thought so many people would connect to my writing adventures. Who would have thought that a western setting, something that would seem familiar to readers, could also be such a difficult sale? Apparently, many people feel that if you’re not writing a Western or a Regency, you might as well be writing in, say, medieval China!
I’m still scared to death.
There I said it. I feel like I’m fighting to stay alive now with every word because there’s so many more unknowns. I’ve heard “no market”, “risky”, “too difficult” so many times in this journey. But I hope that in this case, “No market” could possibly mean, “Untapped market.”
Fingers crossed.
Jul 28, 2009 @ 08:53:49
Take a deep breath! You’re in for the ride of your life. I choose to think of this as an untapped market. It’s true, you might be a long time trickling from the faucet, or you might bust it wide open. Here’s hoping. Are you featured on Unusual Historicals yet? I’ve looked, but they seem to be all romance right now.
That said, I’m involved in a great historical fiction online critique group if you’re interested. Published and unpublished, but all professional quality. You have to submit a sample before they’ll allow you in. Let me know if you’re interested.
I might as well tell you while I’m here, I put in an additional blog yesterday because of something Dara mentioned. She’d commented on how much she’d like to travel to Asia, but had no funds. (Understandible problem!) I have found two funds for just that purpose. Wish I’d known about them back when I needed the money! One is only for authors living in Australia, but the other is for anyone who is writing about Asia. I also included the funding links where I found the information.
I also wanted to ask you about a link you have on your site. I’ve tried to join the Wuxia Society twice now and they send me an automated link that they’ll activate my account, but they never do. Did you ever get in?
Jul 28, 2009 @ 09:53:58
I believe it’s an untapped market 🙂 While I love Regency novels, I think the market is oversaturated with them. But there seems to still be a longing for it so that’s what being published.
I think though your book could be the beginning for more exotic settings. At least I think it will be!
Jul 28, 2009 @ 11:53:05
You’re clearing your own path, creating your own niche. I promise that you’ll have a couple of readers in Cleveland ready to buy your book and tell all the world about its fabulousity. Can’t wait!
Jul 29, 2009 @ 06:15:09
Victoria – I read your post! It made me start fantasizing and I jumped online to do a little more research — then I had to slap my hand. I’m supposed to be writing! Not to mention the day job so I can continue to eat. I’ve traveled to Asia a couple of times. I was fortunate to have worked in S. Korea for three months and then got to visit China & Vietnam over a 1 month vacation. Me and Little Sis dream of doing a research stint for a historical fiction project we’ve been brewing about for years. She at one time thought there was a MacArthur research grant that we could apply for, but I couldn’t find one that fit!
Wuxiasociety still looks like an active forum, but they won’t activate my membership either. I’ve also e-mailed the admin as well as pinged him on another wuxia forum, and he’s never replied! So I just have to lurk as a guest all the time. 🙁 I feel like the disciple who has to kneel for five days and five nights before they’ll let us into the temple!
Jul 29, 2009 @ 06:16:42
Dara – I love Regencies too! But I was inspired to write the books I wanted to read, as they always say.
Lisa – You know one of these days I must go to Cleveland and say hello!
Aug 03, 2009 @ 23:44:51
jeannie, don’t i know it. i’m hoping that it’ll become a trend in all genres! i’m SO SO SO EXCITED for you and i’m SO excited to read your novel!!!!!!!! xo