Is The Historical Market Going Up?
For the past couple of years, there was talk that the historical market was declining. Editors weren’t buying as many historicals as they should, and the only ones they were consistently putting out were from well-established historical romance authors who have a large readership.
But now the talk is that historicals are on the rise again.
I honestly don’t think historicals were ever in danger. Yeah, at one point in time, editors and agents weren’t buying them as much. BUT, the readership is still there. The readership will always be there.
A lot of people think that if you don’t write Regencies or Scottish, then you’re in trouble. However, I say write what you love. Let your characters tell the story. If it’s a good story, it’ll be bought. At least, that’s my humble opinion I’m holding onto.
And I think they ARE trying to expand the market. Well, the smaller houses are. Kensington just bought a Caribbean set historical. Forgot which house it was that bought an ancient Roman set historical a few months ago. Regencies and Scottish historicals will always be in, thankfully, followed closely by Medievals. But it’s good to see that editors are also broadening the market with other eras.
Whatever the trend and no matter which direction the market takes in regards to historicals, rest assured there will always be a readership. The historical market readership is there and it’s strong. You can’t take a historical lover and try to convert him/her. Just isn’t going to happen. Historical readers are passionate about their historicals. This one certainly is!
Tags: Historicals, kensington, Market Trends, medievals, Publishers, regencies, scottish
October 1st, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I agree about writing what you love, the market swings from one end of the spectrum to another. With patience and determination, success will come.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Do you wonder if, maybe, people keep predicting the doom an gloom of certain genres to generate more interest in them, both by readers and writers? I love how someone is always saying such and such is on the decline and then it skyrockets! Go figure.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
That’s why I say don’t bet your career on market trends. Write the book you love and let the story and characters do the selling.
October 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hi Mai! I just wanted to point out that Yes Kensington did buy my Caribbean set Historical and I’m very excited but other houses were very leery of the setting. I think Historicals are becoming more and more popular but I’m afraid almost all of them are still going to be set in England or Westerns.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Hi Noelle. Welcome to my blog! That may be true for the bigger houses because they don’t like to take risks, but smaller houses (I’ve noticed) are more willing to take that risk if they like your story, no matter your setting. But you’re right. The majority of the historicals will still be set in England or Westerns. And Scottish.