Four Markets for Historical Fiction

There are dozens of journals and magazines out there dedicated to various genres, including literary, sci-fi/fantasy, and horror. Yet if you search for historical fiction journals, you come up with almost nothing. I did a thorough Google search, and found only a handful of magazines dedicated to historical fiction alone. I did find several interesting ones, including Kunlun Journal of Chinese Historical Fiction, that are sadly either permanently shut down or on indefinite hiatus. I found four publications that are still accepting historical fiction:

1. Solander. Solander is published twice a year by the Historical Novel Society and pays $150 per accepted story. They have very specific guidelines and definitions of historical fiction, so be sure to familiarize yourself with their guidelines. You can read a free sample issue on the website.
2. The Copperfield Review. The Copperfield Review, a quarterly journal, publishes a wide range of fiction but the website specifically states that they accept historical fiction. I can't find out how much they pay, if they can afford to pay at all, but it looks like a good place to submit if you're trying to build up a reputation in the genre. You can read past stories on the website.
3. Alt Hist. Alt Hist is a magazine of historical fiction and alternate history. If you have any original stories that involve alternate timelines or historical fantasy, this is a good place to consider. They pay either $10 or a free contributor's copy in print. They will also give you a PDF version of the issue for free. Check out the website for some free samples.
4. Lacuna. Lacuna is a bi-annual historical fiction e-journal. They accept fiction that takes place in any time period, although they won't consider time-travel fiction. They're particularly interested in unique details, complex characters, and bold storytelling. They pay $5 per story. The journal is free, so take a look at the stories.

Don't forget to take a look at literary journals. Some of them will accept historical fiction, provided that the setting and/or time period isn't too exotic or too far removed from the present day. If you have an historical fantasy, research some sci-fi/fantasy magazines. Depending on your subject and plot, you might also want to consider horror mags. Some publications that cater to very specific niches, such as antique gun enthusiasts, medieval reenactors, and horse owners, accept stories that feature their subject matter as a central theme or element.

If you know of any other publications that are ideal for writers of historical fiction, please share in the comments. I would love to provide as many sources as possible for my fellow writers. Have a very happy Halloween!

Wordless Wednesday: Ptolemaic Cat Mummy Mask

Wordless Wednesday: A Gardener Using a Shaduf, Tomb of Ipuy at Deir el-Medina

In Which I Give In

I have finally given in and have started to write my WIP on the computer instead of longhand. I love the spontaneity and "rawness" of writing longhand, but it's becoming just too much work. It's easier to flip back and forth between pages when I write longhand, but I was not looking forward to having to type the whole thing all over again. I'm going to have more than enough rewriting on my hands as it is. Plus, if I decide I don't want to use something I've written, now I can just cut it and paste it into a document labeled "extras," so I can use it later if I want.

Also, I gave into my husband's persuading and got a Nook. The world must be coming to an end.

Apologies for not blogging regularly like I said I would. Shortly after I posted that promise I was hit with a stomach bug or flu of some kind that left me fatigued and nauseous for several days. Fortunately I feel much better and am eager to get back on schedule.

Wordless Wednesday: Book of the Dead of Queen Nodjmet

Magic in Historical Fiction

Magic in historical fiction is a controversial subject. Some people think that any magic in a novel automatically excludes it from being historical fiction, that authors who include magical elements are polluting the genre. Recently historical fantasy author Stephanie Dray blogged about why historical fiction and fantasy go together, arguing that it is perfectly acceptable to infuse historical novels with magic. Most ancient and early modern cultures believed in magic. (Fun fact: the last European to be accused of witchcraft was executed in 1782.) In fact, for some of them, like the ancient Egyptians, it was a vital part of their religions.

The Egyptians had no word for religion. Even their word for magic, heka, shouldn't be translated as "magic." That's because it was very different from our concept of magic. It was woven into the very fabric of their religion. Most magicians were also priests, and almost all spells referenced at least one god. Our word "magic" brings up images of primitive folk superstition, or else of cute young children dressed up like Harry Potter. In Egypt, everyone from the lowliest peasant to pharaoh himself believed in and practiced heka. It was perfectly respectable and deadly serious.

I've been struggling with the portrayal of magic in my novel. It's about an Egyptian magician in pharaoh's court. It's a challenge figuring out how to be faithful to the Egyptian concept of magic while adapting it to a modern audience. I'm relying on older translations (not always the best) of spells and sacred texts and adapting them into my own words with the help of more modern translations. Still, I have to adapt--I can't replicate. The Egyptian culture is too remote, too far removed from our own. Modern readers wouldn't be able to understand or connect with the story. And neither would I.

But including magic in historical fiction doesn't mean that I'm sacrificing history for fantasy. In the Egyptian mind, magic was a simple fact of life. They took it for granted that a magician could wreak havoc on pharaoh's enemies, speed the healing of injuries, and control demons and other negative outside forces. Although my novel is ultimately an historical fantasy for a modern audience, I like to think that the ancient Egyptians would recognize their beliefs in my writing.

What are your thoughts about magic in historical fiction? Is it a good idea, or should it be off-limits?