Writing Historical Fiction: A Writers' and Artists' Companion (Writers' and Artists' Companions)

"Writing Historical Fiction: A Writers' & Artists' Companion is an invaluable companion for a writer working in this challenging and popular literary genre, whether your period is Ancient Rome or World War II. PART 1 includes reflections on the genre and provides a short history of historical fiction. PART 2 contains guest contributions from Margaret Atwood, Ian Beck, Madison Smartt Bell, Ronan Bennett, Vanora Bennett, Tracy Chevalier, Lindsay Clarke, Elizabeth Cook, Anne Doughty, Sarah Dunant, Michel Faber, Margaret George, Philippa Gregory, Katharine McMahon, Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Hilary Mantel, Alan Massie, Ian Mortimer, Kate Mosse, Charles Palliser, Orhan Pamuk, Edward Rutherfurd, Manda Scott, Adam Thorpe, Stella Tillyard, Rose Tremain, Alison Weir and Louisa Young. PART 3 offers practical exercises and advice on such topics as research, plots and characters, mastering authentic but accessible dialogue and navigating the world of agents and publishers."--Page 4 of cover Pt. 1: Historical fiction. Reflections 1 by Duncan Sprott ; Reflections 2 by Celia Brayfield ; A short history of historical fiction Pt. 2: Tips and tales : guest contributions. Margaret Atwood ; Ian Beck ; Madison Smartt Bell ; Ronan Bennett ; Vanora Bennett ; Tracey Chevalier ; Lindsay Clarke ; Elizabeth Cook ; Anne Doughty ; Sarah Dunant ; Michel Faber ; Margaret George ; Philippa Gregory ; Katharine McMahon ; Valerio Massimo Manfredi ; Hilary Mantel ; Alan Massie ; Ian Mortimer ; Kate Mosse ; Charles Palliser ; Orhan Pamuk ; Edward Rutherford ; Manda Scott ; Adam Thorpe ; Stella Tillyard ; Rose Tremain ; Alison Weir ; Louisa Young Pt. 3 : Write on. Planning by Duncan Sprott ; Historical research by Duncan Sprott ; Basic sources ; Online sources ; Going offline ; Libraries : UK ; Archives ; Northern Ireland ; Births, marriages and deaths : UK ; Wills : UK ; Local archives ; County record offices ; Other useful organisations ; Heraldry ; Museums and galleries : England ; Museums and galleries outside London ; Museums and galleries : Scotland ; Historical societies and relevant organisations : UK ; House history ; Topography ; Picture libraries ; Ireland (Eire) ; USA ; Canada ; Australia ; New Zealand ; Research plan : costing, time management, travelling ; Beginning ; Exercises by Celia Brayfield ; Writing courses ; Ending ; Historical fiction from A-Z ; Lastly... ; Getting published ; Literary agents ; Publishers ; Self-publishing and online publishing by Celia Brayfield. "With advice from leading international and bestselling writers, this book provides all the practical advice you need to write historical fiction successfully"-- Provided by publisher