Elisa Santos
asked
C.W. Gortner:
I have just finished you book on Isabella of Castille - it was my first and i loved it! There is not much about certain countries histories - there is a lot about England, France, Italy perhaps, but then there are a few countries that seem forgotten, when it comes to writte about their historical figures. From your POV as a historical fiction writter, why do you think that happens?
C.W. Gortner
Hi Maria, Thanks for your kind words. I'm delighted you enjoyed my book.
Publishers decide which subjects and eras sell best. England is a big draw in the United States, for obvious reasons. Certain eras in France - such as Louis XIV's reign - also get a fair amount of attention, but other eras do not. Italy is tougher to sell because the history is complex and there are fewer "marquee names" as publishers call them, which means recognizable historical characters to the average reader who might not be as well informed about history. Many other countries are not often considered commercial enough. It's not that we, as writers, don't want to write about historical people from these countries or eras, but rather that publishers don't want to acquire them. It's a tough business and writers need to make a living, so we must write what our publishers think will appeal to readers. I wish it weren't so, but, unfortunately, that's how it works.
Publishers decide which subjects and eras sell best. England is a big draw in the United States, for obvious reasons. Certain eras in France - such as Louis XIV's reign - also get a fair amount of attention, but other eras do not. Italy is tougher to sell because the history is complex and there are fewer "marquee names" as publishers call them, which means recognizable historical characters to the average reader who might not be as well informed about history. Many other countries are not often considered commercial enough. It's not that we, as writers, don't want to write about historical people from these countries or eras, but rather that publishers don't want to acquire them. It's a tough business and writers need to make a living, so we must write what our publishers think will appeal to readers. I wish it weren't so, but, unfortunately, that's how it works.
More Answered Questions
Donna
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C.W. Gortner:
Just finished Mademoiselle Chanel. I so loved it! While the sexual encounters were a tad bit too descriptive for me, I still rated it 5 out of 5 stars. Your writing is perfect. Easy too read yet captivating. Thank you. I find it so hard to find books that make me want to read them every moment, but this book did just that. I want to learn more about her now. How much time did you spend on researching & writing it?
Paxton
asked
C.W. Gortner:
Hello Mr. Gortner, I just read your article on Medium "The Objectification in MM Romance" and I guess I'm one of the newer gay cis male readers to have become intrigued by the genre. Near the end of the article you mention that you would be writing gay stories which I would very much like to add to my reading list when any become available. Have you completed any such yet or have a target date coming soon? Thank you!
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