How to Write and Sell Historical Fiction

by Persia Woolley

Book Overview

The call of a new land. Eyewitness to the events and characters that shape history. Daring journeys in search of opportunity. People of resolve and vision. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898797535
• ISBN13: 9780898797534
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Good...but...

The author explains what historical fiction is as well as how to research, write, and publish historical novels. Most of the information is good, though a little out of date (my edition was published in 1997). Much of the content should be valuable to any writers, especially fiction authors, because she explains about plot, point of view, manuscript preparation, etc. The author also uses lots of examples from other authors to illustrate her points. Unfortunately, for me that was the weakness of the book. Many of the chosen selections were not, in my opinion, well written or particularly compelling. I suspect some of the selected authors were friends of the author. My other problem with the book was her continual references to her own books. Unfortunately, the excerpts and selections from her works did not make me want to read those books.

A "must" for the aspiring historical novel writer.

Accomplished author Persia Woolley covers every aspect of successfully writing an historical novel in her writing "how to" reference and instruction guide How To Write And Sell Historical Fiction. The aspiring author will learn how to choose a time period and a story that will interest publishers and captivate readers; give their fiction historical accuracy by drawing upon the resources of libraries, museums, historical societies, and on-site visits; create a compelling storytelling arc that crosses generations and multiple exotic locations; weave real historical events into a fictional story; develop characters who thoughts and actions are memorable and plausible within the context of history and the human experience; revise, polish and prepare a manuscript for publisher acceptance. Anyone aspiring to write a successful historical novel should first begin by a careful reading of Persia Woolley's How To Write And Sell Historical Fiction!

The most helpful how-to book for authors I have read

There are a lot of how-to books out there for authors and aspiring authors, but this is definitely the most helpful one I've read. Persia Woolley covers everything from initial research, through plotting and re-writes, to residuals and movie rights. Along the way, she pays special attention to one of the biggest challenges that writers face while in thick of their work: dealing with technical details without letting go of the big picture. Woolley offers specific, practical advice on both the 'inspiration' part of the writer's work (research resources, forceful characterization, story momentum) and the 'perspiration' part(keeping track of story action using computers, file drawers or index cards, dealing with an agent). But her greatest gift is encouragement: the conviction that the world needs your story. As she says in her preface, "I fell we need more voices, not fewer." With books like this one, we'll have more.