The enduring popularity of historical fiction makes it a sought-after genre for both writers, and readers of any age. For prolific authors, creating a convincing tale of intrigue or light romance within this major niche can potentially earn them substantial and ongoing royalties. And for readers, quality period fiction can hold a fascination which will keep them coming back for more of the same.
But is there room in the market for more period fiction writers, or are the online stores and local bookshops already saturated with this genre? Perhaps demand is still strong, but is the competition coming from big name authors too well established for a new writer to be able to carve out some market share?
Actually, no; the field of fiction set in the past is wide open with a huge readership, and reasonably talented writers can be encouraged to publish new work in this area with some optimism about how well their books will be received. In order to succeed authors would be advised, however, to pay attention to three important factors as they prepare their historical fiction manuscripts for publication.
Firstly, doing some market research in order to discover what the trending subgenres are for historical novel will pay off. This is vital if the author intends to write profitably for the market, and not just for his or her own passion. For example, apart from a conventional fictional plot set at least fifty years ago and following an historically accurate background, there are also historical western fiction, historical romantic fiction, historical mysteries and thrillers, and other sub-niches, each with their own loyal adherents. Reading examples of the targeted genre will help a writer learn the specific tropes his audience will expect, and help him to write exactly what his readers will buy.
Secondly, turning the story idea into a series, such as a trilogy, is a sound marketing tactic. A series has been proven to generate more sales than the equivalent number of stand-alone books, and will provide historical fiction writers with income from extra products like boxed sets.
Thirdly, a writer should be prepared to perform the most meticulous research of the period he or she is writing in in order to produce authentic work. Primary source historical documents such as newspapers, autobiographies or contemporary works should be examined thoroughly, rather than relying on modern commentary for details. Critical review will soon uncover any historical errors which may jeopardize the excellence of the work.
Experienced historical fiction writers can certainly transport their readers convincingly back in time, and for gifted authors with a growing tribe of reading fans, this genre can become a generous means of livelihood and publishing royalties.
