Do you read WW2-set fiction?

[Smithy]

AmateisGal,

I am what you would call a WWII nut (especially the air war) and devour books on the subject, mostly non-fiction but also some fiction as well.

I don't think anyone here has pointed it out but I think it's important to note that currently WWII fiction is probably more popular among publishers on the other side of the Atlantic. There are (and have been) a lot of novels being released by British publishing houses that are set in WWII, a lot are rubbish but there's been some little gems over the last few years. But the major thing is that WWII as a theme and as an historical setting for novels is popular in the UK.

If you are having problems with American publishers then perhaps you might consider contacting publishers in the UK. I don't think in the current climate that you'll be receiving letters from British publishers saying that "WWII is a hard sell" as it's not for them.

 

[Jack Armstrong]

I used to write historical novels, set in the period from 1938 to the beginning of WWII in the United States. They weren't specifically about the war itself, but they were set in that era, and I was very careful to be accurate about the general mindset, political atmosphere and correct historical detail.

The agents who read them all liked the writing, but I ran into the same barrier as the original poster -- none of them thought it would be possible to sell a book based in that period. And since it was [sarcasm]obviously[/sarcasm] impossible to sell such a book, no one was willing to try. That's the way the publishing industry is.

I've since switched to fantasy.

 

[AmateisGal]

AmateisGal,

I am what you would call a WWII nut (especially the air war) and devour books on the subject, mostly non-fiction but also some fiction as well.

I don't think anyone here has pointed it out but I think it's important to note that currently WWII fiction is probably more popular among publishers on the other side of the Atlantic. There are (and have been) a lot of novels being released by British publishing houses that are set in WWII, a lot are rubbish but there's been some little gems over the last few years. But the major thing is that WWII as a theme and as an historical setting for novels is popular in the UK.

If you are having problems with American publishers then perhaps you might consider contacting publishers in the UK. I don't think in the current climate that you'll be receiving letters from British publishers saying that "WWII is a hard sell" as it's not for them.

Smithy, I have a few friends in England that told me the very same thing - that WW2 fiction is much more popular over there than in the United States. I think I will definitely look into it if I don't get some bites on the novel here.

 

[AmateisGal]

I used to write historical novels, set in the period from 1938 to the beginning of WWII in the United States. They weren't specifically about the war itself, but they were set in that era, and I was very careful to be accurate about the general mindset, political atmosphere and correct historical detail.

The agents who read them all liked the writing, but I ran into the same barrier as the original poster -- none of them thought it would be possible to sell a book based in that period. And since it was [sarcasm]obviously[/sarcasm] impossible to sell such a book, no one was willing to try. That's the way the publishing industry is.

I've since switched to fantasy.

The publishing world is so finicky - I wish that they would just take a chance on stuff, y'know? And I mean really throw their weight behind the marketing campaign. If they just publish it and don't promote it, of course it won't sell.

I get very aggravated with the traditional publishing world sometimes.

Glad to hear that you're still writing, though.

 

[The Wingnut]

There's a big difference between the two, which actually saddens me a great deal. For that very reason, I did not pursue my PhD - I did not want to write history books that would be read by other historians but no one else. Yet if you wrote popular history books, your credibility (and possibly tenure at a university) might be affected.

I'd say pursue your PhD anyway...sure it's a considerable expense and a large portion of your life, but the doctorate will give you indispensable experience and credibility that you might not have otherwise...and who says it's only good for teaching?

You might really enjoy Bodie and Brock Thoene's work, they've got an incredible knack for weaving fictional characters into significant and even minor events without tearing the fabric of history and even imparting knowledge. Research is key when doing this sort of stuff, and a sound education and credibility I'd think would be invaluable.

 

[Mike Hammer]

WW2 is a hard sell here in the US. The recent Ken Burns Series The War may help that a bit.
Someone else who writes excellent WW2 era fiction is Ken Follet.
The important part is of course to write a good story. The setting can add to the story, but when the setting becomes the story, it detracts. I think many would-be historical authors miss this very important point.

I don't know who buys some of these stories for publication. Some of the books I've picked up recently have been absolute, utter garbage.

One of the most difficult to research and write, but some of the most rewarding to read, is the fictionalized version of true events. This is where all the events are correct, and your character (either real or fictional) is placed among the events, and reacts to or influences events. Some of the best are the Terry C. Johnston's Sons of the Plains series, Allen W. Eckert's American Empire series, and of course W.E.B. Griffiths Brotherhood of War and The Corps series.
It's difficult to put fictional characters into real situations and have them interact with real people and situations convincingly, but it makes for a great novel when done properly.

 

[AmateisGal]

I'd say pursue your PhD anyway...sure it's a considerable expense and a large portion of your life, but the doctorate will give you indispensable experience and credibility that you might not have otherwise...and who says it's only good for teaching?

You might really enjoy Bodie and Brock Thoene's work, they've got an incredible knack for weaving fictional characters into significant and even minor events without tearing the fabric of history and even imparting knowledge. Research is key when doing this sort of stuff, and a sound education and credibility I'd think would be invaluable.

I just can't do the PhD right now - maybe some time in the future I'll consider it, but my biggest thing is that I would love to just sit in on classes and soak up the info. I hate tests, hate doing assignments for professors for a grade instead of for my own enjoyment. In other words, I like to be in control of what I'm working on. Maybe if I took one class a semester it would be better and I could really get into it. Of course, if I did that, it would take me FOREVER to get the degree!

 

[AmateisGal]

WW2 is a hard sell here in the US. The recent Ken Burns Series The War may help that a bit.
Someone else who writes excellent WW2 era fiction is Ken Follet.
The important part is of course to write a good story. The setting can add to the story, but when the setting becomes the story, it detracts. I think many would-be historical authors miss this very important point.

I don't know who buys some of these stories for publication. Some of the books I've picked up recently have been absolute, utter garbage.

One of the most difficult to research and write, but some of the most rewarding to read, is the fictionalized version of true events. This is where all the events are correct, and your character (either real or fictional) is placed among the events, and reacts to or influences events. Some of the best are the Terry C. Johnston's Sons of the Plains series, Allen W. Eckert's American Empire series, and of course W.E.B. Griffiths Brotherhood of War and The Corps series.
It's difficult to put fictional characters into real situations and have them interact with real people and situations convincingly, but it makes for a great novel when done properly.

I love Ken Follett's fiction. His WW2 novels are some of the absolute best I've ever read. Greg Illes had two that were amazing.

I agree with you about some of the stuff on the shelves nowadays - the writing is terrible. I don't know how those books sell!

I've been meaning to read some of W.E.B. Griffiths stuff. It looks great.

 

[Smithy]

WW2 is a hard sell here in the US. The recent Ken Burns Series The War may help that a bit. Someone else who writes excellent WW2 era fiction is Ken Follet.

Mike, you do know that Ken Follett is English and lives in England don't you?

AmateisGal, pick up "The Burning Blue" by James Holland which is a fantastic WWII novel and beautifully written. Andrew Greig's "That Summer" is another recent-ish release which is superb. Robert Radcliffe has written a couple of exceptional WWII novels over the last few years as well.

 

[AmateisGal]

Mike, you do know that Ken Follett is English and lives in England don't you?

AmateisGal, pick up "The Burning Blue" by James Holland which is a fantastic WWII novel and beautifully written. Andrew Greig's "That Summer" is another recent-ish release which is superb. Robert Radcliffe has written a couple of exceptional WWII novels over the last few years as well.

Thanks for the recommendations, Smithy. I'm always looking for more WW2-set fiction.

 

[jake431]

Read Crypotnomicon by Neal Stephenson. It's (in part) based during ww2 and it's a fantastic historically researched novel. Imagine Gravity's Rainbow but with historical research to back it up, and better written to boot.

-Jake

 

[Martinis at 8]

...My novel is definitely women's fiction. I wonder if that has something to do with it???...

Probably. Most WW2 fiction and non-fiction are read by men.

Going out on a limb a bit further here, most history is not of interest to women. As an example, history majors are overwhelmingly male.

M8