Last year or maybe the year before I started noticing historical series fiction with much more attractive, appealing covers that really could catch a modern audience. These titles are a little lighter and fresher than a dense historical, have a bit of romance and adventure and the historical detail is the background but does not bog the text down. Many of these are series titles, so you can return to a favorite character if you like them.
Take Spirits Chosen by Esther Friesner as an example. This is set in ancient Japan, but the cover is bold and strong, with a great, powerful looking woman on the cover. The cover really captures you and pulls you right into the setting, and someone who may not read historical novels as a rule, may pick this on up and give it a try. This cover is perfect.
Here is another example. Heart of Glass by Gould. It is set in the 1500's in Venice, but the cover is sharp and modern and appealing. Would look great on a face out display and would have people picking it up to learn more.
I love this current trend of sharp historical novels that seem a bit more modern. Now that the Great Gatsby has hit the theaters, this is a great time to market these titles on a display.
Doug, I too found that many of these books I was looking at online had the "international" appeal-far away people, places and time. Historical Fiction readers (like myself) are looking for Calgon to take us away.
ReplyDeleteGood catch on the updated covers on historical books. I had kind of noticed that too, but not solidified it until now.
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