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Some of you know that I’ve been searching for a new publisher. I have a new agency who’s really excited about my work, and they’ve been shopping a new book for me. I just got my first rejection. I expect to get quite a few more, but I sincerely hope they’re not all for the same reason.
See, I was rejected because of my exotic setting.
The setting is…wait for it…Regency England. I know! So exotic, right? But the backstory has to do with the French Revolution, and a small part of the book does take place in France.
Yes, France. Pretty exotic. Readers definitely do not like stories set in France, especially if they have anything to do with the French Revolution. I mean, what could be more boring than The Scarlet Pimpernel or A Tale of Two Cities?
But all kidding aside, why are some publishers so afraid to do anything different? I mean, if France is a problem, I can’t imagine what an author who wants to set a historical in Africa or Asia must go through.
How do you feel about exotic settings? Love ‘em? Hate ‘em?
Filed in: Writers and Writing
Feb 23rd
2009
10:03 am
Emily McKay Said:
I really love exotic settings, up to a point. I’m sure there are plenty of settings that don’t scream romance, oh, say, ancient Mesopotamia. But you’d certainly think Regency era France would be acceptable.
I for one adore the Scarlet Pimpernel. Gosh, such great conflict! What a romance!!!
Right now I’m reading the Celeste Bradley Liar’s Club books and those are fabulous. They’ve got the Regency setting, but they’re spy novels, so it’s all just balls and clothes. A very nice mix of the familiar with something new.
And Mary Balough had two books set partly on the Continent in her Slightly series. Those books were amazing. But they were also in the middle of a successful series. maybe that was key. She lured the reader in with the familiar regency setting in the other books.
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Feb 23rd
2009
10:11 am
Margo Maguire Said:
I love learning about different settings and their histories. But I mostly get that from the literary novels I read. I think Romance publishers look for the tried and true. They know what sells (i.e. what readers want) and they cater to that market. They have to. Right?
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Feb 23rd
2009
10:31 am
RobynDeHart Said:
I love some exotic settings though admittedly there are some areas that if I saw it listed on the back cover I wouldn’t buy the book. That being said, I’d love to write a book set in Egypt. It’s ripe with archaeology, especially in the Victorian era. My next book’s prologue starts the story in Alexandria, but the rest of the book is set in London. Someday maybe.
Hugs on the rejections, Shana, those are NEVER fun.
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Feb 23rd
2009
11:41 am
Penney W. Said:
Hi Shana
I love the exotic settings.
Sorry to hear about the rejections,
Hugs Penney
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Feb 23rd
2009
1:59 pm
catslady Said:
I think that has to be one of the stupidest things I’ve heard lately. The last thing I want is to read about is my hohum life – I want different – I want exotic. Or are they just picking on France because they think for themselves lol.
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Feb 23rd
2009
3:42 pm
Mary M Said:
I’d love to read your new book. Isn’t there always a first book that leads the way from standard expectations? Someone had to buy a book with paranormal elements when other publishers were saying no to it. I can’t imagine deciding against reading a book on the basis of its setting alone.
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Feb 23rd
2009
4:14 pm
Shirley Karr Said:
Hugs on the rejection, Shana. At least you learned this was not the right publisher for you before you’d invested a great deal.
It seems the more liberal society becomes, the more timid publshers become. I thoroughly enjoyed a series in the late 90′s or so that took part in exotic locales like the middle east and asia — I think it was the Silk series by Mary Jo Putney, or maybe something by Kasey Michaels/Michelle Kasey. (I’m at work so I can’t check my book shelves.) Anyway, it is a very successful series that left Regency England and took us halfway around the world, but I doubt it could get published for the first time now.
I’m very worried now about my WIP, part of which takes place in Portugal and Spain.
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Feb 23rd
2009
4:42 pm
Maya M. Said:
I adore exotic settings, in which I’d certainly NOT include France! One of my WIPs is partially set in the Arctic and South Pacific, among other places (it has a travel theme). Doesn’t Jade Lee set books in the Far East? And Marjorie Liu? Also Siberia, which does qualify as exotic for me.
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Feb 23rd
2009
6:57 pm
Anna Said:
I *love* exotic settings.
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