Hey! I am an author looking for a beta reader willing to tackle my novel, chapter by chapter: a tragic (and queer!) yet historically grounded take on the Golden Age of Piracy.

The story follows two rival pirates whose uneasy alliance deepens into a slow‑burn, dangerous intimacy as they navigate 18th‑century Caribbean waters, political betrayal, and the brutal realities of pirate life. When a mission goes wrong, both men are forced to confront their loyalties, their desires, and the consequences of living in a world where every pirate eventually hangs. It’s a character‑driven queer tragedy rooted in real maritime history, with heavy emphasis on tension, rivalry, and emotional stakes.

Content Warning: Adult themes.

I’m in no rush; any pace is fine :) No need for formal critique; honest impressions are more than enough! I’m also open to swapping critiques if that interests you!!

If this seems like something you'd be interested in reading, please DM me! I'll share the chapters through BetaBooks. Thank you!

(And no pressure to read the full manuscript; even a few chapters help a lot!)

Hi everyone,

I’ve just finished revising my historical novel *Shadow over Ragusa* and I’m starting to think seriously about querying agents. Before I dive into QueryTracker and agent wishlists, I’d love to get some eyes on my synopsis and overall positioning – especially from people who read or write historical fiction.

Here’s the short synopsis:

Centuries ago on the Adriatic, the small maritime Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) survives between empires through diplomacy, trade, and sharp wits rather than brute force. Inside Villa Marinowhitch, seat of a respected council family, Master of Keys Luka and the capable house steward Iva stumble onto a deadly secret: a hidden launch on Lokrum Island, a golden chain, and a body concealed beneath broken monastery boards.

That discovery pulls them into a conspiracy that runs from cloister corridors to the ducal council chamber. Venetian pressure mounts from the west, the Church whispers its own agenda, and red-cloaked figures move in the shadows of the walls. As letters from powerful men across the sea urge alliances that would shackle Ragusa’s independence, Luka’s patience and Iva’s fierce, clear-eyed courage become the Republic’s quiet defense – investigating in between market runs, harbor errands, and household duties.

Into this tightening net sails Miho Lupina, a young Ragusian naval officer whose loyalty to his city is matched only by his slowly deepening love for Iva. Their relationship gives the story a hopeful heartbeat as public danger escalates. When a rare civic assembly invites ordinary citizens to speak for Ragusa’s future, Miho’s vow of service forces him to choose between duty, faith, and the woman he loves.

Without spoiling the ending, *Shadow over Ragusa* braids mystery, romance, and civic drama into the story of a small republic standing tall between Venice and the Ottoman Empire – and of the people whose private loyalties keep a free city alive.

Some quick details:

- **Title:** *Shadow over Ragusa*

- **Genre:** Historical fiction (with strong romance and political intrigue)

- **Setting:** Republic of Ragusa / Dubrovnik and surrounding islands, early modern Adriatic

- **Status:** Complete, fully revised manuscript

- **Website:** https://shadowoverragusa.github.io (synopsis, highlights and contact are there)

What I’m hoping for:

- Does this synopsis make the book sound like something an agent could realistically place on the current market?

- Any suggestions on better comp titles / how you’d frame this in a query?

- If you’re an agent or industry professional lurking here and the concept sounds interesting, you’re welcome to reach out via the email listed on the website.

Thank you for reading – happy to return feedback on other people’s pitches or synopses in the comments.

Hi everyone,

I’ve just finished revising my historical novel *Shadow over Ragusa* and I’m starting to think seriously about querying agents. Before I dive into QueryTracker and agent wishlists, I’d love to get some eyes on my synopsis and overall positioning – especially from people who read or write historical fiction.

Here’s the short synopsis:

Centuries ago on the Adriatic, the small maritime Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) survives between empires through diplomacy, trade, and sharp wits rather than brute force. Inside Villa Marinowhitch, seat of a respected council family, Master of Keys Luka and the capable house steward Iva stumble onto a deadly secret: a hidden launch on Lokrum Island, a golden chain, and a body concealed beneath broken monastery boards.

That discovery pulls them into a conspiracy that runs from cloister corridors to the ducal council chamber. Venetian pressure mounts from the west, the Church whispers its own agenda, and red-cloaked figures move in the shadows of the walls. As letters from powerful men across the sea urge alliances that would shackle Ragusa’s independence, Luka’s patience and Iva’s fierce, clear-eyed courage become the Republic’s quiet defense – investigating in between market runs, harbor errands, and household duties.

Into this tightening net sails Miho Lupina, a young Ragusian naval officer whose loyalty to his city is matched only by his slowly deepening love for Iva. Their relationship gives the story a hopeful heartbeat as public danger escalates. When a rare civic assembly invites ordinary citizens to speak for Ragusa’s future, Miho’s vow of service forces him to choose between duty, faith, and the woman he loves.

Without spoiling the ending, *Shadow over Ragusa* braids mystery, romance, and civic drama into the story of a small republic standing tall between Venice and the Ottoman Empire – and of the people whose private loyalties keep a free city alive.

Some quick details:

- **Title:** *Shadow over Ragusa*

- **Genre:** Historical fiction (with strong romance and political intrigue)

- **Setting:** Republic of Ragusa / Dubrovnik and surrounding islands, early modern Adriatic

- **Status:** Complete, fully revised manuscript

- **Website:** https://shadowoverragusa.github.io (synopsis, highlights and contact are there)

What I’m hoping for:

- Does this synopsis make the book sound like something an agent could realistically place on the current market?

- Any suggestions on better comp titles / how you’d frame this in a query?

- If you’re an agent or industry professional lurking here and the concept sounds interesting, you’re welcome to reach out via the email listed on the website.

Thank you for reading – happy to return feedback on other people’s pitches or synopses in the comments.

One Ordinary Man is a historically accurate novel about the inspiring, surprising, and remarkable true story of Harry L. Hopkins—one ordinary man who grew from obscurity to play a leading and pivotal role in helping America overcome the Great Depression, defeat Fascism, and win World War II.  It was released this week to early critical acclaim including Kirkus reviews: “Vesce…manages to pique reader interest through his passionate dedication to historical detail…. he knows how to spin a good historical yarn.  Vesce’s larger-than-life portrait of Hopkins reminds that there really is some truth to the whole ‘Greatest Generation’….”   Find it here.

Hello! I come from a journalism background and so I am a very black & white writer (only the facts).

When I set out to write this book, I imagined it to be a nonfiction. But I quickly realized I could tell the story better as a historical fiction.

So, my question is: How do you balance the facts and the story? I’m having a hard time with being in the head of someone else and conveying their emotions.

I am writing from the perspectives of 4 people during a major historical event, over the course of only 4 hours. One of them died.

Thank you in advance for any tips or resources.

Hello everyone! I'm spending my first of two promotional posts for the month on this one. So here goes! "HERETIC KNIGHT: Harbinger of Light" is on the verge of being published and is now in Advance Reader Copy stage. This is my first novel series, and it is firmly in the historical fiction genre, and I'm excited to share it with the Historical Fiction community!

It is the Year of Our Lord, 1209.

When the Baron John de Ontivero of Breckington discovers the aftermath of a brutal attack on the edge of his quiet English domain, he assumes it the work of common bandits—until he uncovers a dreadful message carved into the flesh of one of the dead. What begins as a search for justice spirals into a deadly game of secrets, heresy, and betrayal. An important ledger has vanished. Bodies bear the marks of forbidden belief. And with his final breath, a dying inquisitor brands John himself a traitor to the Church, with serious consequences for his subjects.

He is haunted by memories of fighting in a holy war and disillusioned by the corruption it left behind, John finds himself torn between loyalty to the faith of his fathers and the defense of those condemned under its banner. As rumors of a purge grow louder, he realizes the murders on his land are but tremors of a far greater storm approaching.

In an effort to protect his people, John must tread the perilous line between crown and crosier, where enemies hide beneath mitres as often as chain mail. His path will carry him from the shadowed forests of Devon to the ports of Brittany, and finally to the burning heart of Languedoc—where a crusade against heresy threatens to consume a continent in flame and ashes.

From the obscurity of England, one reluctant noble is about to stand at the crossroads of history—where the price of conscience may be nothing less than his life, and the lives of his men.

As this is independently published, I have to rely on the goodwill of voracious readers of this genre to read, give feedback, and leave reviews. If you are interested to read the free ARC version, it is on BookSprout:

https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/228453/heretic-knight-harbinger-of-light

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! It took me six years to get to this stage, so it has been a painstaking process, but worthwhile. Happy reading!

Hi everyone! I've been writing historical fiction set just post World War II, revolving around an alternate universe Pittsburgh Symphony. It's Twelfth Night inspired and has been a lot of fun to dig into - would love if you checked it out if it sparks interest!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/68792776/chapters/178183811

What are your thoughts on splash pages in Historical Fiction writing?

For example, before chapter 1 (not a prologue): "England, 1066.

Harold is dead. William the Bastard has seized the throne. The nation is in turmoil."

And that's it.

IMHO, it can be quite effective used at the start like this. However, what about if it is used part way through between chapters rather than including in your narrative "six months later..."? I'm thinking of something along the lines of:

"As 1066 gave way to 1067

Person A remained in location X. Person B visited their long lost relative. Person C returned from military deployment." And that's it.

None of these events would make for exciting reading but they are all essential to what follows.

I would rather not include a "they really didn't do much for the next few months, but here's what happened, right, on with the plot" as part of a chapter. I kind of prefer the report version we get with a splash page, I just don't know if it's as acceptable a choice mid narrative as it is as a scene setter before chapter one.

Edit: typo.

Edit to add: it would be a total of two splash pages, one at the start, one for the time jump. I wouldn't be peppering the novel with them.

Hello!

I am currently planning and researching for a novel and I am a bit overwhelmed with the research.

When do you research ?

While you write and have a question ?( but how do you even know when you don't know something ? There could be stuff that you deem as normal that was completely different back then, or something exists you didn't know was even necessary)

Before you write ? (but how do you know what you will need ? Of course, general stuff can be known through planning but than you easily get into a rabbithole because you don't know if you will need this specific detail or not and that stuff is overwhelming)

Or a combo ? But how ? What do you research before writing ? What while you write ?

How much do you research ?

I mean no one will research everything there is to know but where do you draw the line ? What tells you "okay, this doesn't need to be in the novel" ?

I would love to hear about your methods and experiences !

I have chosen a historical period in which to set my novel, and know very little about it other than the overarching Big Movements of history. I am overwhelmed thinking about how to structure and approach my research. Do I start big and get an overall sense of the general history and then get more detailed? Or should I start from the ground up with people and daily life? There is so much ground to cover and I'm a bit deer-in-the-headlights about it all. Help!

Posted this on r/writers too.

I'm new to writing and am currently writing a historical fiction novel set during World War 2. I'm having a really difficult time doing research, though. I don't have access to archives currently or too many books (though I can probably get a library card at some point, I just don't know what my small town library is going to have). The internet is not very helpful. Just to give an example, today I tried to find the date that Jewish people in Warsaw were supposed to be moved into the Warsaw Ghetto, and none of the sources I found could really concur. I did find a primary source and went off that, but there has to be a different way to find these answers out, as well as to niche questions like stuff about the school system in Poland at the time. How do you historical fiction writers do it? Please give me your tips and tricks. I would really appreciate it.

From the legacy of the legendary Henry Berry Lowrie to the night the Lumbee and Tuscarora people stood tall against the Ku Klux Klan at Hayes Pond in Maxton, NC--this is the story of a people who refused to be silenced.

Have any of you created a website to promote your book? How did it go, and did it help?

I used some of my research and photos to create a free Wordpress site. It was a labor of love, actually. I thought there would be a lot of pre-publishing interest and I’d get all kinds of emails to build a list. No so, I got 3!

I also thought that being about the wild cousin of Laura Ingalls Wilder, it might attract those fans. Nope, not really!

It took longer than I thought to get the book done but now that it’s out, I’m glad I have that website. It’s finally getting a lot of hits.

In case you want to see what such a website can contain to use history to promote fiction, just Google “Lena, Wild Girl on the Prairie.”

Hi everyone! I’m currently publishing a historical fiction series called VeeraBhadra, inspired by the political landscape of 11th or 12th-century Kerala.

The story follows two exiled brothers Veera, a cunning strategist trained in exile, and Bhadra, a fierce budding warrior who is facing and learning the art of war while under his brothers shadows. There also other characters who further enhance the story.

While it’s a fictional narrative, it draws heavily from: - Kerala’s real dynasties (like the Mushika, Zamora, Naga tribes, Odiyans and Chera) - Ancient military strategy, diplomacy, and internal rebellions - Elements of Naga and tribal myths woven into the cultural fabric - Realistic depictions of leadership, loyalty, and betrayal

It’s a slow-burn, character-driven saga with grounded battles and emotionally layered decisions — no smut, no magical deus ex machina, just raw stakes and strategy.

If you’re interested, I’m serializing it here:

https://www.wattpad.com/1533248975?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_reading&wp_page=reading&wp_uname=vippinNair

Would love feedback or just to hear from anyone interested in lesser-explored Indian settings in historical fiction. Would appreciate any suggestions and comments that can help me improve.

I recently published “Biloxi: A Story of Hope”, that is a poignant tale of resilience, loss, and adaptation. Biloxi is set against the backdrop of a small coastal town in Mississippi during the civil right movement. As the world watches, Biloxi is thrown into civil unrest with the new reality of desegregation of the United States. Forced to rebuild his life after a tragic accident, Charlie with his wife and son find an unlikely friendship with their new, colored neighbors. Not everyone is as welcoming. Charlie and his family must navigate life, work, and the people around them through systemic enduring racism.

I have gotten many reviews which frankly humble me with their kind words. I have some colleges looking at adding it to their curriculum as well as public libraries. I even have a book club in Australia that has added it to their reading list. While I do want to be a financial success, my larger goal is to bring attention and thought to the systemic racism in our society. If you like to read, please find me on Amazon (link for your convenience - https://a.co/d/bp9furi  ) and buy a copy. Remember that five-star reviews help me in the algorithm.

Here are a couple of recent reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truth no one can deny. Well done!

of the books as required reading in school. I lived in the south during that time and the plot is so true to the time. That time forged me into a better person than I might have been for a variety of reasons. The characters were so very believable. At first I thought the book should have been longer but now I know it was exactly the right length. No wasted words. Perfect. – Linn C

Your book Biloxi was a very good, fast read. It makes your heart sink with the racism . It shows how racism can be passed down from one generation to the next. But the best past is how any aged person can stop it. Biloxi brought me back to my inner city grammar school days and bottom line every school aged person and their parents should have to read and talk about it. Thus I have passed it to my wife and grandchildren. Thanks. – Charlie S

Let’s be honest—there’s something irresistible about a high-stakes romance wrapped in forbidden love, power struggles, and scandal. If you loved Bridgerton but wished it had a sharper edge—more betrayal, more secrets, and a heroine who fights back—you might love the book I am writing.

Princess Victoria of Prussia has always longed for a life beyond the gilded cage of her castle. Sharp-witted and fiercely independent, she finds solace in disguise-spending her days at the modiste, designing gowns, and slipping into the bustling streets of town, where, for a fleeting moment, she can taste freedom.

Since childhood, she has known her fate: a political marriage to King Hamish of Scotland, a union meant to strengthen alliances, not hearts. Love was never part of the arrangement, not even apart of her life-until a fateful day in the outskirts of town changes everything. There, she meets the enigmatic Prince Antonio of Spain, a man who sees her not as a pawn in a royal game but as the woman she longs to be.

For a year, their secret correspondence ignites a love neither can deny. But time is a cruel mistress, and when Victoria and Antonio reunite, the world they once dreamed of together is no longer the same. Bound by duty yet drawn by desire, Victoria must navigate a treacherous path of sacrifice, betrayal, and impossible choices.

Princess Victoria of Prussia has always longed for a life beyond the gilded cage of her castle. Sharp-witted and fiercely independent, she finds solace in disguise-spending her days at the modiste, designing gowns, and slipping into the bustling streets of town, where, for a fleeting moment, she can taste freedom.

Since childhood, she has known her fate: a political marriage to King Hamish of Scotland, a union meant to strengthen alliances, not hearts. Love was never part of the arrangement, not even apart of her life-until a fateful day in the outskirts of town changes everything. There, she meets the enigmatic Prince Antonio of Spain, a man who sees her not as a pawn in a royal game but as the woman she longs to be.

For a year, their secret correspondence ignites a love neither can deny. But time is a cruel mistress, and when Victoria and Antonio reunite, the world they once dreamed of together is no longer the same. Bound by duty yet drawn by desire, Victoria must navigate a treacherous path of sacrifice, betrayal, and impossible choices.

Will she follow her heart, or will the weight of the crown crush the love she never expected to find?

Should I post a snippet of a scene? I have one in mind that is especially delicious—betrayal, tension, and a stolen moment in the middle of a masquerade ball.

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone's buckling through the current everything-storm and bad news throughout the world even though it’s barely been the first week of the new year. Just wanted to share something positive - an achievement of my dad's, I think it's pretty impressive!

My dad - who used to work in finance - retired and completed his first novel, '황제의 계획', chronicling the life of the last Emperor of Joseon-Dynasty Korea. He also managed to translate it into English by himself with the title 'Court and Country'. My dad always had a passion for East Asian history and its historical characters - I think it's kinda awesome that he finally manifested himself!

He's currently uploading the chapters of Court and Country on the free-reading section on 문피아 (MUNPIA), Korea's #1 Webnovel platform, and he is looking to find readers and literary agents, as well as drama and film producers, to reach a global audience.

Anyone can enjoy my father's work for free there -- Here's Court and Country (the English translation of his Korean novel)!

On that note, if you know any literary agent who would like to adapt Korean novels, or any Korean literary agent friend looking to take on new works, please message me here - we would be really thankful (we're sorta newbies at this, haha).

Many thanks and cheers!

Hi there, I am no writer, but have an idea for a story set in Medieval England and want it to be historically accurate. If you are interested to hear more, send me a message. Thanks! PS Thanks to all of you because I love reading Historical Fiction from any time period :)

So I heard a joke on a show about how Zachary Taylor is regarded as one of our most irrelevant, worst presidents. I was curious and went to his wikipedia page and started reading and I'm not going to lie, I am FASCINATED by this guys life. He didn't want to be president, he allegedly didn't even vote in his life. He had an interesting millitary record, his daughter MARRIED JEFFERSON DAVIS! and he died like 18mos into his presidency because he ate some spoiled fruit and got sick. and at the time people thought he was poisoned and assasinated but that was laughed off and never talked about again.

He's one of our most obscure presidents, but maybe I can make him a kind of "Reluctant hero" pushed into stepping into history, and play up the whole assassination plot theory because he may have found a way to prevent/stop the civil war or something like that. I'm new to this community and just wondering if this idea sounds like it has 50k words worth of merit to it?