American Historical Fiction discussion
Introductions
I like historical fiction, especially about jazz and musicians, you can find me on Twitter as @jazzfanman. Favorite recent historical mystery was When Saigon Surrendered it was a great trip back to the 1970s, story takes place in Kentucky.
Welcome to the group, Jazz! I'll add you on Twitter if you're not already on my list of followers/following. I'm @sarawhitford on Twitter.
Robert Krenzel - I'm writing in the decade just prior to your series-- also YA historical fiction. My Adam Fletcher Adventure Series is set on the North Carolina coast. The first book is out now and it's called The Smuggler's Gambit. Book two is coming this fall (Lord willing!) and it's tentatively called Captured in the Caribbean. Are you on Twitter or anything?
Sara: I am on LinkedIn and plan to get up and running on FaceBook. I will definitely check out your work.
Sara wrote: "Robert Krenzel - I'm writing in the decade just prior to your series-- also YA historical fiction. My Adam Fletcher Adventure Series is set on the North Carolina coast. The first ..."Sara, I am writing a novel about the Algonquian natives near and at Roanoke in 1583 and in 1584 when Amadas and Barlowe arrived and took back to England Manteo and Wanchese. Do you know of any books that focus on providing specific information about seasonal weather and vegetation in specific areas on the Outer Banks, Pamlico Sound, and Albemarle Sound? I've never been there. I thought I'd take a shot asking you. Thanks.
Robert wrote: "Sara: I am on LinkedIn and plan to get up and running on FaceBook. I will definitely check out your work."Great, Robert! And you can be sure I'll be checking out your work, as well. :)
Harold wrote: "Sara, I am writing a novel about the Algonquian natives near and at Roanoke in 1583 and in 1584 when Amadas and Barlowe arrived and took back to England Manteo and Wanchese. Do you know of any books that focus on providing specific information about seasonal weather and vegetation in specific areas on the Outer Banks, Pamlico Sound, and Albemarle Sound? I've never been there. I thought I'd take a shot asking you. Thanks." Funny you should ask, Harold! I'm a descendant of the Algonquians of the coast and I've done a great deal of research and writing on the subject at this site.
As for a focus on specific vegetation on our coast, I would point you to these three books:
A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia
The Outer Banks of North Carolina, 1584-1958
A New Voyage to Carolina
The Lawson and Hariot books are in the public domain now so you can probably find the text of them online. David Stick is one of the most well-respected historians of North Carolina's OBX so even though it doesn't focus much on vegetation, I think it's a worthwhile title to add to your library.
I should also mention that there are some recent breaking developments relating to research of the so-called "Lost Colony." You can find some links at the site I included above. I also recommend following the Croatoan Archaeological Society on Facebook.
And finally, I'll leave you with this quote from Arthur Barlowe, written July 4, 1584...
Thank you, Sara, for the links. I'm very appreciative of your interest and help. I will look into the last two links in particular.
Harold wrote: "Thank you, Sara, for the links. I'm very appreciative of your interest and help. I will look into the last two links in particular."Happy to help, and keep in mind, "A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia" was written by Thomas Harriot in 1585 when he was here with the expedition that also brought John White, who did the brilliant watercolors and was also the father of Eleanor Dare, who along with her husband Ananias Dare had the first English child born in the New World, Virginia Dare.
I'm off to Malice Domestic where I am moderating a panel called Uncle Sam Wants You, with four authors of American historical mysteries. It's a pretty interesting bunch. I am the only one who writes colonial stuff, and I don't get to talk about my work.Authors: Eleanor Kuhns, itinerant weaver, Anna Loan-Wilsey, late 19th century typist who moves to where the jobs are, Alyssa Maxwell, Gilded age Newport, and Frances McNamara, 1880's Chicago and New England. Look into them if you need something new.
Hi folks,My name is GP Hutchinson, author of Strong Convictions: An Emmett Strong Western.
I'm delighted to be part of the group. Especially appreciative, as you might expect, that Jenny added a thread dedicated to Westerns. Besides for stories set in the Old West, I'm big fan of Bernard Cornwall's Richard Sharpe series and other similar works of historical fiction.
I'm looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully being a helpful contributor.
GP, the Sharpe's Rifles series is on of my guilty pleasures--I have lost a lot of sleep pushing on to find out how Sharpe gets out of his latest predicament!
GP, the Sharpe's Rifles series is on of my guilty pleasures--I have lost a lot of sleep pushing on to find out how Sharpe gets out of his latest predicament!
I see that I gave you the info on my panel members but didn't mention my own recent work. My short story "The Devil's Quote" appears in And All Our Yesterdays, from Darkhouse Press, edited by Andrew Macray. 16 short stories from 16 different times. Really nice assortment.
Mod
Jenny wrote: "Welcome to the group, GP! I hope you'll add some of your favorite Westerns to our list!"Thanks for the welcome, Jenny. Will do!
I just joined this group, looking forward to learning about more good books to read. I also write historical fiction. My first novel, Big River's Daughter, released in April 2013, received pretty good reviews and was recommended by the Historical Novel Society and by the International Reading Association, and was nominated for the Amelia Bloomer Project (American Library Association, 2013). The book is listed on A Mighty Girl’s Top 2013 Mighty Girl Books for Tweens and Teens. It’s about life on the Mississippi River in the early 1800s, prior to the Battle of New Orleans. My second novel, The Girls of Gettysburg, was released last year to wonderful reviews and was a 2014 CBC hot pic. It, too, comes recommended by the Historical Novel Society. I just finished my third, sent it off to my agent, and am working on my fourth. As much as I write, I also read. Historical fiction, of course. And I'm always on the lookout for good books to read!
Mod
Hi Jenny: No, I won't be attending the conference, as much as I would love to! You'll have to post updates to the group!
Hi GP: I love Cornwall's Richard Sharpe series, too. In many ways, Iain Lawrence's High Seas Trilogy, for middle grade readers, reminds me of Cornwall's work.
Hello, I am Beverly and I love to read historical fiction. My deceased husband was a history teacher and we both loved reading Alexander Thom books. Now I read a lot of historical romance, but I just love any good book about history. I am also a mystery lover so I will never get all the books I have read. I will certainly take any of the books you all have read into consideration for my next read. Thanks
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Beverly wrote: "Hello, I am Beverly and I love to read historical fiction. My deceased husband was a history teacher and we both loved reading Alexander Thom books. Now I read a lot of historical romance, but I..."James Alexander Thom does an excellent job depicting Algonquian culture. Readers would enjoy his "Panther in the Sky," about the life of Tecumseh. No doubt that you and your husband read it.
I am new to this community and I'm not sure if it's appropriate if someone will recommend his/her own novel. But if it's OK, I'll be glad if you, Beverly, will check it out. Despite an adventure twist, as a historian, I can guarantee that you'll discover one or two historical facts from the past of Colonial America that will surprise you. FORT ROSS https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496912411/...
Mod
Harold wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Hello, I am Beverly and I love to read historical fiction. My deceased husband was a history teacher and we both loved reading Alexander Thom books. Now I read a lot of historica..."My favorite book of James Alexander Thom is From Sea to Shining Sea. I find the Clark family fascinating. My husband always said that Thom always did his homework and that is why his books are so good.
Beverly wrote: "Harold wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Hello, I am Beverly and I love to read historical fiction. My deceased husband was a history teacher and we both loved reading Alexander Thom books. Now I read a l..."Your husband was right. Besides being a good narrator, Thom is historically accurate.
Hi, guys! I'm new here. My name is Joel Arthur, but you can call me Art. I'm an author of historical fiction novels. I'm looking forward to make some new friends here. Follow me through J. Arthur Moore. Nice meeting everyone!
Hi Art! We have quite a bit in common. Welcome!
Jenny wrote: "Hi Art! Welcome to the group!"Thank you very much for the warm welcome.
Robert wrote: "Hi Art! We have quite a bit in common. Welcome!"Thanks, Robert! I'm glad I joined this group. I have new friends already.
Hi, I'm Linda. I am a history junkie, reading both fiction and non-fiction on the topic. My favorite era is WWII. I'm a not-yet-published author of historical mysteries. I am always on the look out for a good book, so joined the group to get recommendations and hear what others think about books out there.
Mod
Jenny wrote: "Welcome to the group, Linda! We've got lots of good recommendations for you. Have fun browsing through all of the topics and the bookshelf!"Thanks! Can't wait.
Hi, I'm Bridget Smith, and I am also new to the group. My novel Where Elephants Fought was just published by Sunbury Press. In my book, I provide a new theory behind the murder of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn. My theory is backed by years of research and will set history right - at least regarding this one tragic incident. I look forward to sharing my findings with you and can't wait to hear all the wonderful topics discussed here!
Hi, Bridget! I'm not a moderator of this group, but I would like to welcome you anyway. I'm new to this group too. However, what I have discovered here makes me happy that I jointed it. By that short synopsis you've provided, I can assure you that I'll be the first to read your book. The history of America, it's Colonial period and Civil War era are among my interests. Good luck!
Mod
Thank you both!! I will be sure to add my book!
Hi, everyone. I'm Nathanael and just finding this group. Clearly I'm a fan of American history, particularly pre-19th century--my own book, Language of the Bear, takes place just before the French and Indian War. Looking forward to the discussions and finding lots of new books!
Welcome, Nathanael! Your book sounds very interesting.
Mod
Hello all. I joined this group awhile ago while in school, but now that I'm done I can now engage with people online. I enjoy early the American colonial period up to and through the Revolution and in the process of writing a novel about a minister and his travels during this period. I live in Williamsburg so I have access to daily Colonial history and I love it. Hope to get to know some of you!
Mod
Tim, welcome! It is a bit more of a challenge for me writing historical fiction set in the American Revolution while based here in the Kansas City metro.
Robert, yes that would be tough! It's nice living here. Next year the American Revolution museum will open in Jamestowne. I plan to go often.
Robert, yes that would be tough! It's nice living here. Next year the American Revolution museum will open in Jamestowne. I plan to go often.
American Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Fortitude (other topics)Black City Demon (other topics)
Black City Saint (other topics)
Bridget, A Father's Daughter (other topics)
The Winds of War (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
J. Arthur Moore (other topics)Robert Krenzel (other topics)
Robert Krenzel (other topics)
Roy Underhill (other topics)
John Jakes (other topics)
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Yay for more young adult historical fiction!