Why Don’t More Readers Read Historical Romance or Fiction?
Today, I’m returning to the theme of under-read tropes in M/M or LGBTQIA novels and stories, romance or otherwise. In case this I’m not just singling out the historical western but the historical genre in general. Now maybe I’m wrong, and I’m hoping to hear from you that I am, but again, on the list of tropes people are reading, the list falls out something like: contemporary romance, contemporary action/adventure, contemporary western, contemporary mystery, contemporary whatever I’ve left out, supernatural shifters (this could be higher), paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, historical. Yep. Historical normally falls in the last couple of slots.
Now that’s not my list personally because fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction are top areas of interest for me. But I’m talking in general….or do you all think I have it wrong?
Historical fiction, romance or otherwise, has always required more thought, more expectations of the readerI guess to look outside our time frame at ideologies, cultures, and see how things might actually have been through the words and stories of talented authors. And we have some outstanding ones! Charlie Cochrane leaps to mind with her Cambridge Fellows Mysteries (Orlando and Jonty). Cochrane makes the Edwardian period of England come alive with every street, dinner, word, and mystery. Elin Gregory (A Taste of Copper, On a Lee Shore) has many time periods and does them all justice in her wonderful stories. Astrid Amara? Oh my, The Devil Lancer bring the Crimea war and its tumultuous stomach churning sea crossing vividly to life in a book that I’ve reread several times as have several reviewers here. I have quite a few more, including Rebecca Cohen of The Crofton Chronicles and Erastes, author of M/M historical fiction and the moderator of Speak Its Name, a blog dedicated to gay historical fiction which I love. Check out her blog here. That’s just for starters.
Then again maybe I’m completely wrong. The whole lot of you are going, “pshaw, I’ve been reading historical fiction and historical romance all along. What’s this nutty woman talking about?” Or words to that effect. I would certainly be happy to hear that.
So what say you all? Am I wrong, am I right or somewhere in between? How do your lists of genres shake out? What historical authors do you read? I really want to know.
And now onto this week’s schedule.
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This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, June 5
- Why Don’t More Readers Read Historical Romance or Fiction?
- This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, June 6
- Riptide Tour and Contest for 24/7 by JA Rock
- Return to Zero by Isobel Starling Tour and Giveaway
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: 24/7 by JA Rock
- A BJ Review: The Silvers by J. A. Rock
- An Ali Review: Hat Trick by Meg Harding
Tuesday, June 7:
- Blog Tour for Breathing Betrayal by Bellora Quinn and Sadie Rose Bermingham.
- An Ali Review: The Mongrel Trilogy by KZ Snow
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Clockwork Tangerine by Rhys Ford
- A Paul B Review: Wooing the Lighthouse Keeper by Charlie Richards
- A Jeri Review: A Good Enough Reason by CE Lievens
Wednesday, June 8:
- Acceptance—Cover Reveal and giveaway
- A BJ Audio Review: Where Nerves End by L.A. Witt
- A Stella Review: Under a Sky of Ashes by Brandon Witt
- An Ali Audiobook Review: Resurrecting Elliot by Cate Sherwood
Thursday, June 9:
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Blueberry Boys by Vanessa North
- A Jeri Review: Out in the Field by Kate McMurray
- A Lila Review: Crashing Blue by Della Boynton
- A BJ Audiobook Review: Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall
Friday, June 10:
- Always Another Side – Annabelle Jacobs Tour Signal Boost Tours
- Set Me Free by Kitty Stephens Excerpt Tour and Giveaway
- A Jeri Review: Debt by KC Wells
- An Alisa Review: Dirty Angel by Barbara Elsborg
- A Paul B Review: Alexi’s Mouse by A C Katt
Saturday, June 11:
A Free Dreamer YA Review:Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
I don’t know if you’re wrong or right. I seem to read about or know several people who love historical fiction, so I guess there is interest out there. For myself, I don’t tend to read a lot of it, though there are exceptions. For me, it’s down to personal preference. I don’t like reading about societal homophobia, and while it still exists in contemporary stories, unfortunately, and can exist in fantasy or science fiction, in historical, if at all accurate to the time, it’s almost a guarantee. I know these things exist, I’ve dealt with them in my personal life, and for this reason, I choose the angst in my books to come from other sources.
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Historical fiction has always been my favorite. I’ve always been a history buff in general, so it naturally fits. I’ve had many friends say they wouldn’t have read MM Historical without prodding from me, and most have loved what they’ve read. As with any subject, people have their reasons for clicking or not clicking with it. If you were to tell me there was a sub-genre of stories revolving around heavy maths equations, I’d pass. Sorry Orlando, I do love you 😉
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KJ Charles writes excellent historical fiction. Some of it has elements of fantasy but her regency gentlemen novels are purely historical. Jordan L Hawk too, again with fantasy mix.
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You left out one of my favorites Bonnie Dee. Yes I’m a historical reader and a sci-fi reader. I’ll read any genre except horror and vampires. I’d like to see more historical stories written. I’ll take “true” history, AU History, steampunk, time travel. (I’d really like to see more time travel historicals)
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Another shout out for Elin Gregory and Charlie Cochrane here, also KJ Charles esp Society of Gentlemen.
And if anyone wants a new historical author I humbly mention myself.
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Pls do! I was sorry to have left out KJ Charles… I totally agree there
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