One of the most popular genres around is historical fiction. The genre’s success has prompted people to ask why this type of writing is so popular in bestseller lists and online stores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks (among others). The answer to that question isn’t simple, but a few things can be said about it.
The genre is defined as a story set in the past, which includes real people and events or closely follows documented historical facts. While many types of stories fall under this umbrella, one thing is clear: Historical fiction writers have been around for a long time and show no signs of slowing down.
Why Historical Fiction Writers Are So Popular
First, let’s look at where the genre came from and who helped fuel its popularity. Then you’ll understand why historical fiction writers are so popular today.
The Birth of Historical Fiction
One of the earliest examples of historical fiction dates back to around 1800 BCE in today’s Iraq. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of battles, friendships, family feuds, and human morality. Many scholars believe the historical context used in this work influenced its modern-day equivalent: fiction stories based on real people or events.
The genre continued to gain popularity throughout history, with many great writers embracing it as their own. Some of those writers include Alexandre Dumas, who was born in France to a Haitian mother and French father; Sir Walter Scott, whose works are still popular today around the world; Charles Dickens, perhaps best known for his novels A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations; Washington Irving, one of America’s first great writers; Mark Twain, known as the father of American literature; and Jane Austen, among others.
The genre continued to evolve throughout the 1900s, thanks to many authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby) and J. R . R Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), whose works are still popular today around the world.
Why Are Historical Fiction Writers So Popular?
It has to do with the subjects they cover and how those topics resonate with readers today. But there’s another reason many historical fiction writers are so popular: they tackle tough issues, like slavery or discrimination, in a way that makes them seem more real to readers.
It’s no coincidence that when the topic of diversity in publishing is brought up, so too are authors like Octavia Butler and Walter Mosley. Their work addresses discrimination and racism in a way that many people can relate to, which has helped lead to the development of a new wave of historical fiction writers who incorporate diversity and inclusivity into their works.
There is also a growing market for historical fiction books because when writers approach tough issues from the correct angle, they can help raise awareness about the struggles people faced in certain eras.
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