Multicultural Historicals

[kgb]

I am interested in gauging the interest in Multicultural Historicals. I know that their are many fans who love them but in my research I have found only one author (Beverly Jenkins) writing histroical novels from the African American perspective. And more specifically I wanted to know if any writers have found resistance from the publishing houses, agents or editors about this subject matter.
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kgb

[willynilly]

Hey kgb,

let's just say publishing houses like to stick to what sells. the same; the tried and true; the boring. I think agents guard the doors by knowing this and really not letting any new, bold content through. I have an interracial/historical out now with New Concepts Publishing, which I shopped for quite a long time with agents and traditional publishing houses. I wasted precious time and money pushing this work to receive general rejection letters. I basically write historicals with non-White characters in the main roles. One agent told me "readers won't like the history in this." Say what?

I was scolded once before by an agent for the history in my books. Funny, the Independent Book Awards liked the history so much it awarded me Finalist status in the Romance category in 2005 for my historical "FAITHFUL." Go figure.

Anyhoo, my work will be reviewed in the October issue of Romantic Times and an ad will showcase it. I thank NCP everyday for taking a chance on me. It's called "KINDRED' and takes place during the American Revolution. The heroine is a free African-American; her love is a Native American man. It's a rip-roaring read. I am proud of it.


Keep plugging away, kgb. Someone out there likes the different.


PJ DEAN

[HerStory Books]

It is sad to say that in historicals the idea of a multi-race or multicultural one is STILL not selling.

England was a slave owning society for a time, but they did not have big plantations, tended to integrate them into the family.

So I am surprised they don't appear in British based historicals.

The Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament on 25 March 1807, making the slave trade illegal throughout the British Empire. The Act imposed a fine of £100 for every slave found aboard a British ship.

On 28 August 1833, the Slavery Abolition Act was given Royal Assent, which paved the way for the abolition of slavery within the British Empire and its colonies.

On 1 August 1834, all slaves in the British Empire were emancipated, but they were indentured to their former owners in an apprenticeship system which was abolished in two stages; the first set of apprenticeships came to an end on 1 August 1838, while the final apprenticeships ended two years later on 1 August 1840.

The government set aside £20 million to cover compensation of slave owners across the Empire, but the former slaves received no compensation or reparations.

But they were indentured to a trade, and given jobs, so that is something.

Anyone who is intrested in the subject would love the film Amazing Grace-the hymn was in response to a salve ship captain who saw the light and became a priest to help those whom he had harmed. His student was William Wilberforce, who worked for year to get the antislavery legislation passed and also founded the Royal Society for the protection of animals and reformed prisons.
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[HerStory Books]

Just want to recommend a great book I just finished:

The Color of Lightning
by Paulette Jiles
It features a husband and wife, African American, who go to Texas to seek a better life, and have it til indians come one day.

It is a gritty book, but central to it is the love story of the hero and heroine getting back to one another.
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[MsNewton]

It's funny you should ask because I am attempting to write my first romance and it is an AA historical. I wish there were more AA historical writers out there because I would surely support them as long as the history is well researched and the characters believable.

Beverly Jenkins seems to be a pretty popular but she is already established. I buy all of Ms. Jenkins' books because I would like to see more like them. Are you thinking of writing one? Is that why you asked?

[HerStory Books]

history rather than 'just' a romance novel?

Lots of men write historical fiction, but get one whiff of a love scene in a book, and people roll their eyes and thing bodice ripper.
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