The Good, The Bad and The Unread: Can old news be the sign of new things?

From the RT newsletter:

And speaking of historicals... we predict that a comeback is on the horizon. With authors like Karen Robards, Judith McNaught and now Julie Garwood returning to the much-beloved genre, it won't be long before all publishers will jump on the bandwagon to cash in on this returning trend. Add to that the recent news that suspense authors Tess Gerritsen and (of all people) Dennis Lehane will have historicals out in the next two years and you can see the trend is already in motion. If you're an author, dust off those historicals and get them ready for submission and if you're a fan of historicals, rejoice in the knowledge that authors and/or publishers have heard your pleas! Let's hope the new historicals live up to what fans want: lush, historically accurate detail, strong, independent heroines, heroes to die for, palpable sexual tension with tender sensuality and books overflowing with old-fashioned romance!

FYI: Keep in mind that when these historicals hit stores it will be up to you (and your buying power) to determine how long the trend lasts. That means you MUST show your support for historicals by purchasing them new and not buying them on sites like half.com or used. "New" book sales is the only measure publishers use to determine if they will continue to publish more historicals. Create the demand and they will supply the product.

It may be winter but we have sprung ahead with a sneak preview of some blockbuster books to anticipate this spring including ones from Lisa Kleypas, Karen Robards, Gaelen Foley, Kelly Armstrong and Brenda Joyce to name a few.

I could be way wrong but didn't Karen Robards new historical (the wrap up to her long ago started trilogy which is currently on hold with no publishing date) get announced in the RT last year? As well as the HUGE news that Garwood would be returning to historicals (although maybe that was an AAR interview?).

But Judith McNaught I didn't know about and I am way interested in the Lehane although I doubt it is a romance. LOL unless he is gonna give sparks a run for his money and really Lehane could so kick Sparks ass. Sez I.

So what do you guys think? Is the historical the new black for 2007? Or still the same shade of gray it has been for the last few years?

Labels: Historical, Historical Fiction, ponderings, RT

10 Comments:

I have been told that the US trends follow UK trends and that historicals have seen an upswing in the UK. It may be, however, that the historicals won't increase dramatically in 2007 but that historicals may be the new black for 2008. (along with demons. although demons might be yesterdays news in 2008).

By Anonymous, at 11/21/2006 02:25:00 PM
Don't make meljean cry. sheeze wait till you review the book at least.

hee

I WANT the new historical upswing! I want it now! Damn it. But this nifty omg new just doesn't seem like news. I am shocked they didn't put Ashworth's wintergarden sequels to be in there as 'new' news.

Although I have to say the whole thing of old historical authors returning worries me about if they will be as they were before.

By sybil, at 11/21/2006 02:28:00 PM
I'm so glad that Garwood is returning to historicals! (I think I heard a year ago she was after her contract was up) I think Gerritsen's a historical thriller? I'll have to pay closer attention to her blog.

By Amie Stuart, at 11/21/2006 04:55:00 PM
I'm not convinced. Color me skeptical. I don't think the problem with historicals right now is the lack of them getting published, it's the lack of variety and "different." A sameness has fallen over the sub genre - for me at least. All English historicals (especially!) are sounding interchangeable.

I think for the historical to really come back that there needs to be an infusion of fresh voices and publishers/authors willing to take some risks. Frankly, "old authors" returning to the fold just ain't going to cut it IMHO.

By Wendy, at 11/21/2006 05:09:00 PM
What Wendy says! I'd love a return of historicals as long as they included other locales and time periods.

By Kristie (J), at 11/21/2006 07:43:00 PM
I don't know about *Historical Romance* (it'll comeback strong... eventually. Just not now, I don't think.)

On the other hand, I've had the impression that Historical Fiction has been trending for awhile-- the Sarah Waters books (Tipping Velvet, et al) The Crimson Petal and the White, Slammerkin, Galbadon's Lord John and the Private Matter, The Dress Lodger, Karleen Kohen's books, all those 'biblical' retellings, (The Red Tent, Sarah: A Novel, etc.,)

These always seem to be prominently featured somewhere in the bookstores.

By vanessa jaye, at 11/21/2006 09:40:00 PM
The whole thing is very cyclical, and historicals haven't been gone completely, we've just been in a huge Regency rut.

We can only hope.

By Tara Marie, at 11/22/2006 12:29:00 PM
What does a come back mean? I'll believe it when I see it and I second the person who said we need new voices in the genre. Do these established writers have something new to say? Why'd they switch anyway?

By Rosie, at 11/22/2006 02:20:00 PM
I second Rosie. Not to be cynical--wait, who am I kidding?--but are these authors leaping onto the UK trend for a buck(not that there's anything wrong with that, this is how they make a living), or do they have some exciting new stories to tell? If not(mainly Garwood and McNaught), they should continue what they've been doing.

--Ro

By Anonymous, at 11/23/2006 07:13:00 AM
Happy Happy Joy Joy! So glad McNaught is back to historicals...woo hooo

By romancelover, at 11/24/2006 09:02:00 PM


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