By Some writers just write about one time period – whether it is the Regency, the American west or even in the case of contemporary writers – the eternal present. Some readers are eternally faithful to their chosen period. They will not read anything outside of that period, or even sometimes that setting. They are monogamous readers and writers. I am not.
I write in a number of time periods – from Romans to Vikings to Regency and Victorian. And my reading habits are all over the place. I simply can’t stay faithful. There are just too many places to go out and explore.
There are pros and cons to both approaches. My big problem is that I love too many time periods. I have always read historical novels set in a wide range of periods, and would hate to think that historical romance is confined only to a narrow set of dates and locations, even though the late Regency/early Victorian period is one of my own personal favorites.
One of the great things about Harlequin Historical is that they let me explore different periods, both as a writer and a reader.
As a writer, I have been encouraged to experiment. Generally, I agree a time period and possibly a location, then I am free to create the sort of story I want to tell. The time period always puts certain restrictions on the story. For example, a story that would be appropriate for the early Viking period would probably not be appropriate for the more staid early Victorian period. The Romans are a far more urban based culture in many respect than say even the Regency period. And what I love to do is to see echoes and connections. To figure out why certain things evolved in certain ways. No time period is an island sort of thing. Basically for me, it is a chance to indulge my love of research. What is really great is when a new time period also allows me a chance to travel. For example, I was able to go to Iceland and Norway to do research on the Vikings.
HH has a policy of publishing at least one Unusual Historical – i.e. not one set in the Georgian/Regency/Victorian or rural American West per month. This means that readers can visit medieval Europe or ancient civilization or even the early 20th century. Recent locations include: Bohemia (Joanne Rock‘s A Knight Most Wicked ), Edwardian England (Nicola Cornick‘s Last Rake in London), the Scottish Highlands (Terri Brisbin‘s Surrender to the Highlander), the fall of the Roman Empire ( Louise Allen‘s Barbarian King, Virgin Slave) and Viking Scandinavia (my Taken by the Viking and in the UK Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife). 
And even within the Georgian/Regency/Victorian slots, the editors encourage books set outside the London drawing room as well as the perhaps more traditional story.
From what I understand, the editors plan to keep offering unusual locations and time periods in the mix. The one constant is the focus on the romance as the central spine. It is probably the reason why I love Harlequin Historical so much – no matter which time period, or which setting, you know the core of the book is going to be a satisfying romance. And ultimately that is what I crave — a satisfying romance in a vivid setting.
So what about you? Are you faithful to just one time period? Or do you like to jump around? Is there any time period that you would like to see more of?
I’m slavishly devoted to westerns, but I will read historicals in other time periods. That being said, I have a hard time getting into Regencies – not only because it’s just not my favorite time period in British history (that would be Victorian), but the glut on the market just plain burned me out. I will still read them, mostly because I still have several in my TBR, but they’re few and far between.
Time periods I’d like to see more of – Edwardians and more frontier style westerns that take place prior to the Civil War.
I’m a fan of how Harlequin has devoted itself to broadening the scope of historical romance settings. Such a treat. Keep up the good work, Michelle.
I am fickle. I like to read romances but really enjoy a variety of times and places.
Wendy — yes, I think it is possible to burn out on a time period or a setting.
I also think certain settings speak more to society at different times. At the moment, the reading public shows no sign of burning out on Georgian/Regency/Victorian with a Europeon, in particular UK setting. One always to remember that publishers have access to all the sales figures…
I think they will be doing more frontier style westerns. I know Linda F said something on Romance Vagabonds about frontier westerns doing better than urban set westerns. But it is beyond my pay grade. I just read the westerns they publish in the UK to get my western fix. Westerns remain a popular setting in the NA market from what I understand (which may not be much). Westerns are less popular in some of the other markets.
But they are also responding to reader requests for unusual historical/other time periods and have one slot per month. They intend on keeping that slot.
Personally I think it would be great if they could get more Edwardian. Nicola did a good job.
When I started reading romances, I only read historicals. I slowly expanded my reading choices and discovered contemporaries. I would like to see more medievals, maybe with a Norman hero and a Saxon heroine.
What Jane said!
It would be interesting to see more romances in the sixth to fourteenth centuries range, IMO.
I still like the Regency/Georgian/Victorian but would love to see more medievals.
I like Regency, Victorian and Medievals.
I think it’s great that you are devoted to different time periods, Michelle. I know we like to reap the benefits!
I agree, we are really lucky HH is willing to expand our historical horizons!
Jane —
I am pretty sure that Carol Townend’s latest (out in July Hh Direct) is a norman/Saxon one.
The early medieval period as far as I understnad it tends to be popular and it is certainly a period that they are looking for more ms in.
Deb — I love the fact that HH lets authors chose settings and time periods to a certain extent. They do not say — only drawing room for the Regency. Or only London. They are open to a wide range of stories. Equally, they are looking for a wife range of stories from their authors/aspiring authors.
It is one of the great things about HH.
Thanks for the recommendation, Michelle.
I happen to love Medievals. I would love to see more books written in this time period. I think I am getting burned out on Regencys. I usually have a hard time picturing the men in the Georgian period with wigs and heels on their shoes. It all seems pretty silly to me. Although, I did enjoy Jo Beverly’s series.
Michelle, I too love many different time periods! As one who read lots of egyptology as a teen, I’m excited about the half-Egyptian heroine coming up in Deb Bess’s book. I’m so thrilled that HH has devoted a slot to these “unusual” periods that The Market says don’t sell well enough. And I always chuckle when I remember the fab Pat Potter claiming she “killed” the market for China-set books with her Boxer rebellion story, one of the first HHs, which apparently did not sell as brilliantly as some of her later works.
I also worry that The Market’s continuing glut of Regencies (obviously a time period dear to me) will burn readers out on this period. Thankfully, sales figures seem to support the idea that Jane Austen’s magical works continue to lure readers back again and again to that narrow window of time.
Yeah, historicals in all periods!
If you look there is generally a medieval. Whether it is in the HH retail or HH direct. I love the covers of Blythe Gifford’s for example.
JJ — I know the feeling about Eygptology. It was a wonderful era.
The great thing about the G/R/V is that it does cover a lot of scope. tons was happening then.
Michelle S