Historical fiction?

[opuscroakus]

Is there a historical fiction book club somewhere that I'm missing?

[MichaelWallace]

I'm bumping this because I have the same question. My favorite historical writer is Alan Furst, and I'd love to find more writers with that level of plot, character, and historical detail.

[Cindy416]

I, too, would love to see one, as I love historical fiction.

[opuscroakus]

I, too, would love to see one, as I love historical fiction.

So how do we start one?

[Cindy416]

So how do we start one?

I don't know for sure. I guess we'd have to see who the moderators are in the book club areas. I am really pressed for time, but if you want to look around, that's where I'd start.

[opuscroakus]

I don't know for sure. I guess we'd have to see who the moderators are in the book club areas. I am really pressed for time, but if you want to look around, that's where I'd start.

I started one on Goodreads for writing historicals, so yeah, I don't mind doing that here.

[Jimbo72]

Count me in on this one also!

[LibbyD]

I hope we can start a group. 

Opuscroakus, have you contacted Betsy?  I don't know what's involved, but if there is work of any sort to be done I'd be glad to help.

[Ruth Harris]

@ Michael, huge 2nd for Alan Furst.  He nails that period.  I haven't read Eric Ambler lately but I recall loving those books...A Coffin for Demetrios & Journey Into Fear stand out.

I love books that use a 20th Century background--have done so in my own fiction...Decades is set in the 40's-50's-60's...from the post-war returning GI's to the Make Love Not War Gen.  Husbands and Lovers & Love And Money are set in the 70's-80's.

 

[Elise Logan]

What kind of historical fiction? I mean, historical crosses several genres. There are great historical mysteries, historical epics, historical romance, fictionalized bio pieces, all kinds of things. Is this meant to be inclusive?

I've just started Neal Stephenson's Quicksilver, which is heavily historical, so I might be interested in whatever is going on in an historical book klub option. Might give me new options!

E

[opuscroakus]

What kind of historical fiction? I mean, historical crosses several genres. There are great historical mysteries, historical epics, historical romance, fictionalized bio pieces, all kinds of things. Is this meant to be inclusive?

I've just started Neal Stephenson's Quicksilver, which is heavily historical, so I might be interested in whatever is going on in an historical book klub option. Might give me new options!

E

I'd like it to be a place where readers interested in any historical genre can discuss and recommend books, as well as a place where authors who write historical fiction can share research links, tips for writing in historical voice and whatever other tools are pertinent to those of us who write it.

[LibbyD]

I'd like it to be a place where readers interested in any historical genre can discuss and recommend books, as well as a place where authors who write historical fiction can share research links, tips for writing in historical voice and whatever other tools are pertinent to those of us who write it.

That sounds like two places to me - one, where readers discuss and recommend, and the other where writers talk to each other about their craft.  I would be interested in the first, but not the second.

[opuscroakus]

That sounds like two places to me - one, where readers discuss and recommend, and the other where writers talk to each other about their craft.  I would be interested in the first, but not the second.

Not necessarily.  Within any group there are various threads.  If your group is about Edwardian Fashions in New England America, there are going to be those threads that discuss only the men's fashions, and those interested only in the women's.

I'm envisioning it like that.  Historical Fiction can be the global group, but if one only wants to participate in the threads pertaining to reading recommendations and particular books, then no one must also participate in the threads about the various aspects of writing.

And it just may happen to someone else like it happened to me:  It wasn't until I discovered Jane Austen and that hunger that developed for telling my own victorian stories, that I then began to write.

The critique group I belonged to for over ten years was about fiction in general, but if there were those of us who just didn't like fantasy, then we didn't particpate in those threads.  I think this board is quite large enough to accomodate all.

[LibbyD]

Not necessarily.  Within any group there are various threads.  If your group is about Edwardian Fashions in New England America, there are going to be those threads that discuss only the men's fashions, and those interested only in the women's.

I'm envisioning it like that.  Historical Fiction can be the global group, but if one only wants to participate in the threads pertaining to reading recommendations and particular books, then no one must also participate in the threads about the various aspects of writing.

And it just may happen to someone else like it happened to me:  It wasn't until I discovered Jane Austen and that hunger that developed for telling my own victorian stories, that I then began to write.

The critique group I belonged to for over ten years was about fiction in general, but if there were those of us who just didn't like fantasy, then we didn't particpate in those threads.  I think this board is quite large enough to accomodate all.

Thanks for the explanation.  Now I see what you have in mind. 

[opuscroakus]

Thanks for the explanation.  Now I see what you have in mind. 

NP.  I may call myself a writer, but it seems I have one helluva time trying to express myself most of the time so as to be understood.   

[D.R. Erickson]

I'd love to see this too! There's nothing I love more than a big fat historical epic. They're getting hard to find, though.

[LibbyD]

Is this idea going to fly or not? 

[opuscroakus]

Is this idea going to fly or not? 

I'm sorry I've not had enough free time to look into it.  But if you're that antsy for it, go for it.

[LibbyD]

I'm sorry I've not had enough free time to look into it.  But if you're that antsy for it, go for it.

I'm not "antsy for it".  I just asked a question.  It's your baby -- proceed at your own pace.

[geoffthomas]

I am in agreement with your general aims.
Love Historical novels.  Mary Renault to our own Jeff Hepple.
I am going to take the initiative to dialogue with Harvey and ask him for a folder here in the Book Klubs area for such a thing.
I have started threads for discussion of specific books, but they die out when no-one finds them for a while.  This is a better idea especially now that we have more authors here in the forum.  I suggest a high-level folder for Historical fiction.  Would you like to have subfolders for Historical Romance, etc.  or divided by book discussion, author participation, etc.  I think the first idea of one folder with subfolders for genre within would be best???

I will ask Harvey for the initial area and wait for your remarks.
Oh, by the way, once setup I will participate but would love for someone to "lead" it, please.

[opuscroakus]

I have started threads for discussion of specific books, but they die out when no-one finds them for a while.  This is a better idea especially now that we have more authors here in the forum.  I suggest a high-level folder for Historical fiction.  Would you like to have subfolders for Historical Romance, etc.  or divided by book discussion, author participation, etc.  I think the first idea of one folder with subfolders for genre within would be best???

I think with enough interest either way would work equally well.  Now that I think about it, it might be a good idea to separate the romance--whatever type of book would be published and marketed through a specific imprint division; like Blush (is that the Harlequin division now?).  I know technically those romance books where the ONLY goal is to incite specific feelings within the reader that are set in a historical time period are historicals, but if a publisher feels they deserve a specific imprint division, then let's also give them segregation, as you suggest.

The rest--WWII vs. Asian BC, for example, I dunno--I sort of see that sorting itself out in the various specific dedicated threads, but that's just me.  If anyone else has ideas about that, kindly share.  Since history is anything before 1986, that constitutes a lot of ground and would drive someone batsh*t crazy if they were to attempt to account for every conceivable category.  And what of the books that cross periods AND cultures?  Part of the beauty of this genre is that there *are* potentially so many cross-pollinations; I guess I suggest that keeping them together in the same sub-folder will be okay.  It's hard planning for each contingency.

And if we also keep the writing within the same sub-folder but to within their own threads, I think that might make it easier for others to wander over and take part.

These are just my thoughts.

Re: leading, I'm sure someone will rise to the fore and take an active role.  Whilst I love the genre, I just don't think I know enough about it to "lead," but of course will do so if no one else can.  I don't want to see this idea die.

[seanhrobertson]

Let me know when this Historical Fiction group comes about...would love to be apart of it.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I'm not so sure you need a specific leader for this kind of group. I led the Outlander club but that was dedicated to one specific series of books.

I think that anyone should be allowed to start a thread with a specific book to be discussed. If there is enough interest for that book, then the OP can lead that discussion.

[ChristopherDavidPetersen]

I've been reading about a new book that will be released shortly from Bob Mayer about the Civil War, titled: "Duty, Honor, Country". It looks fantastic. He's released snippets of it ahead of the release date, which will be the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Just curious...  Has anyone else read any of his work? I love history and this book covers one of my favorite eras in American history, but I've never read anything from him, so I'd like to get some opinions before I make "the big plunge" and buy his book.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I've been reading about a new book that will be released shortly from Bob Mayer about the Civil War, titled: "Duty, Honor, Country". It looks fantastic. He's released snippets of it ahead of the release date, which will be the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Just curious...  Has anyone else read any of his work? I love history and this book covers one of my favorite eras in American history, but I've never read anything from him, so I'd like to get some opinions before I make "the big plunge" and buy his book.

I've never read Bob Mayer, but I have read Jeff Hepple's work and I can vouch for his historical accuracy. His civil war book (Antebellum) will be released shortly. He started with Gone for a Soldier (Revolutionary War) and continued with Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Jeff also used his own rich family history in his books. As an example, but I don't know which book he'll include it in:

Dubbed the "biggest Yankee in the world," David Van Buskirk held the distinction of being the tallest Union soldier to serve during the Civil War. From Gosport, Indiana, David was the eldest of ten children and was said to measure 6' 10-1/2" tall in his stocking feet. He weighed 380 pounds. At a time when Lincoln, standing at 6' 4", was considered unusually tall, David was considered a giant. Even more unique than David's stature was the company he became a member of. The Monroe County Grenadiers was composed of 105 men, all of whom were 6 feet tall and over. They would make up Company F of the 27th Indiana Infantry, commanded by Colonel Silas Colgrove. David Van Buskirk would be elected as 2nd Lieutenant. In March of 1862, the 27th Indiana would be reorganized into the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, of Banks's V Corps.

I'm sure others will be able to tell you about Bob. Most likely both will be good and you'll ending up getting neither of them because you won't be able to choose.