6 Topics/Backdrops I'd Like to See in Historical Fiction

Piggybacking off of yesterday's post, I thought I'd make a post of what I'd like to see more in historical fiction. Honestly, there is so much I'd like to see in the genre. And many topics have to be done just right for it to be a good book in my opinion.

As I said in yesterday's post, there is a lot of World War II historical fiction. This isn't an issue, and it can definitely be good if done right. However, there are so many directions an author can go in when writing historical fiction. It doesn't have to be World War II, and it doesn't even have to be a war.

Here are 6 topics/backdrops I'd like to see in historical fiction. Some of these topics/backdrops do have to be written about with consideration, but there is so much to explore in all 6 of these!

Topic/Backdrop 1: Leadership

Initially, I had this as "monarchy," but I feel like "leadership" suits this better. But think about how much can be done if you look at Rome's Senate (or even emperors), or Athens' democracy, or Sparta's oligarchy-type situation. So much can be done if authors look at the leadership roles and positions within historic civilizations, past and present.

Topic/Backdrop 2: Egypt

I know I mentioned Anne Rice's Ramses the Damned duology yesterday, and I know there are some other historical fiction books about or set in Egypt out there. But there is so much to be explored within Egyptian history, and it makes a great backdrop for historical fiction.

Topic/Backdrop 3: Nubia

Nubia is essentially modern-day Sudan, and again: there is so much to explore here. Egypt got much of its gold from Nubia. And there's the relationship between Egypt and Nubia to consider here too.

Topic/Backdrop 4: Ancient Greece

I don't think I need to explain this one much, but it feels like I haven't seen any historical fiction set in Ancient Greece. Authors could look at the city-states, the relationship with the Mediterranean, and so much more. 

Topic/Backdrop 5: (Pre-)Colonial United States and Americas

The Colonial United States and the original 13 colonies would be a fun topic to cover in historical fiction. Although it's a short period of time, roughly 169 years between the founding of Jamestown and the start of the American Revolution, there are so many possibilities. If an author wanted to go the Pre-Colonial Americas route with their fiction, this is where they'd have to be careful and do a bunch of research around their book's topic.

Topic/Backdrop 6: Celtic Britain

Celtic Britain - or any Celtic civilization in Europe - would be so fun to read about. And if an author doesn't factor in the negative Roman view of the Celts, than a book on the subject could be so fun to read.