Hi everyone and welcome to my second post at the Carina blog. (My first was the interview with editor, Michael Banks. You can find it here.)
By now, you probably already know that my book, IN ENEMY HANDS, is being released as part of Carina’s launch line in June. Firstly, I’d like to thank the team at Carina for having enough faith in the novel to put it there. I’m hoping they know something I don’t!
I remember someone once asking me what I read, besides science-fiction or science-fiction romance (SFR). I laughed and said: “Oh, the complete opposite! I love historicals.” But now that I think of it, there’s nothing there to indicate an opposite of any kind. In fact, SFR and historical romances are much closer than you can imagine. For example, both are heavily reliant on having a coherent world in which to put the hero and heroine. You only have to read reviews of historicals to see how important this is. Remember the debate that raged a couple of years ago over when champagne flutes were invented? 
In SFR, the world might be two thousand light-years away, rather than a few centuries in the past, but they are both alien places to us. Were we to be plucked from our favourite reading chair and dropped into Regency England, Ancient Rome or the Republic of my novel, there may be some slight things that would seem familiar, but a lot of it would be strange and bewildering. We depend on the skilful world-building of authors to make us feel at home in such places, in order to deliver an exotic location that is, at the same time, accessible to us.
A successful author will take the different, the anomalous, and make it feel so natural that we find ourselves slipping effortlessly into that universe. The characters in it must also be bound by the rules of their world, behaving logically by its rules and only breaking the mores when the consequences are fully understood.
I find readers of historical romances to also be very technically-inclined. Maybe I’m generalising too much as one of that segment myself, but I feel that historical readers are true geeks. They know the major conflicts of the era they’re reading in, the fashion, some of the social setting, customs and mannerisms. They are sensitive to nuances that seem out of place, or strike too contemporary a nerve. As much as there is an emotional enjoyment of the novel occurring, there is also a deep intellectual satisfaction from an environment that has been well put together, in order to serve the needs of both reader and characters.
In all these respects, there is not much between a story set two millennia ago on Earth, and two millennia in the future on another world. The same aspects are involved, and it’s up to the author to make both settings work for the reader’s enjoyment.
I know I should really be talking about my book, and I’ll give you a bit of a spiel about it in my next post but, considering I have a diverse captive audience here, I thought I’d try to plant some small information about SFR in general. I know it’s not a terribly popular genre and yet, the more I think about, the more I wonder why. It’s a genre for people who want to be satisfied, both intellectually and emotionally; who crave something different that entices and delights; who want passion with their exotic. If that sounds like you, please give an SFR a shot. (It doesn’t have to be mine; there are lots of wonderful SFR novels out there for you to explore. The Galaxy Express and SFR Brigade are great places to start.) I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
I’ll be posting again later in the day and will talk a bit more about my novel then. In the meantime, my website is at http://www.ksaugustin.com and my blog is at http://blog.ksaugustin.com You can also track me down on Facebook and Twitter. Just look for “ksaugustin”. See you after lunch!
**reminder: Commenting on an author’s blog entry/entries for the day will enter you to win a digital copy of their Carina Press title. One winner daily. Commenting on any of the Countdown entries will enter you into the big giveaway for a Carina Press promo prize pack. One winner at end of Countdown.**
Tags: author, Books, Countdown to Carina, giveaway, launch title
Kaz,
Great blog post! I’ve also been puzzled why more people aren’t fans of SFR, particularly those into Urban Fantasy and books with Paranormal elements. I mean, paranormal means “not normal” so if you’re reading “not normal” you’re halfway to space. I’ve read some amazing SFR books and look forward to reading yours when it releases!
Best of luck to Carina, too, with this all digital launch. HUGE fan of digital books and am impressed with Harlequin’s customer/reader friendly approach to releasing them.
cheers and congrats!
Pauline
Your point is excellent: World-building, whether in a historical or a science fiction novel, is so key. It’s gotta feel real. I’m so intrigued to learn more about your novel!
Oh man. I’m stoked about this book! Congrats! It looks fantastic. Excellent cover, too.
@ Pauline: As you can see, Pauline, I’ve been giving it some thought.
And where better to air the question than at the forum where lots of romance readers gather! Thanks for your good wishes.
@Liz: Right, the world-building is one thing that historical readers really get into, as do SFR readers. We’re all geeks!
@tracy: Thanks Tracy. I hope you like it. I have the entire Prologue at my website, so please feel free to go there and click on the cover if you have some spare time and would like to get a better feel for the book.
I love SFR and historicals…I just never really thought about how alike they were technically. I can’t pick a favorite but I do tend to read more historicals since there seems to be more available. I’m off to read the prologue…
Thought provoking post, Kaz. As a writer of historical romance, I must admit I’ve never thought about the connection to SF where world building is concerned. As a fan of SFR, I’m thrilled to feel some small connection to the genre
I wonder if some people are a little scared of SF, afraid it will be too technical for them to enjoy? Some of the older works are hard to follow, but I also think this is a perception that is fading away. Hopefully the genre is about to grow in leaps and bounds!
I love stories set in other worlds (past, alternate or future) and I can’t wait to read your book. In Enemy Hands is definitely on my To Buy list.
Great post!
I’m not into historicals as a rule, but oddly, I did really enjoy an SF-time travel set at the eruption at Pompeii. Maybe I should give more historicals a try. I adore SF and SFR. Your books sounds really interesting.
Well, it’s just past 11pm for me here and the kids have got to get off to school tomorrow. Thanks to everyone so far for their comments. I’ll be back in your evening and will catch up with questions then (if anyone has any). In the meantime, have a great day and best of luck in the draws!
I will never look at historicals the same way ever again. Thank you for that! I’ve only recently begun reading more historicals and I think it’s because I didn’t have the right mindset.
I have read a few SFR books and I’ve loved them. Looking back at my list though, I still haven’t read very many of them either.
I’m looking forward to reading your book when it’s released.
Well done, Kas!
I just read the excerpt of this release on your website. It’s on my to-buy list now.
Great post!
I love SFR so I’m really looking forward to your book. And, this is a great little essay about SFR. I’m reassured that you know what you’re doing and that I can expect a true SFR and not a SF with tacked on R.
I never thought about historical fiction and science fiction that way, but you’re right. It’s all about building a coherent world and having characters that fit within that world. Nothing is more jarring than contemporary language or actions in a non-contemporary setting. It can be hilarious, if that was the author’s intentions or even sometimes when it isn’t.
Looking forward to reading the book when it comes out. Cheers!
That’s an interesting parallel you draw between historical romance and SFR, Kaz. Never thought of the similarities in that way before.
IN ENEMY HANDS sounds like a fantastic story and I’m very much looking forward to the launch of both your novel and Carina Press. What an exciting time for SFR!
You are spot on about SFR and historicals. It’s the reason I love to read both. Having read your other novels, I can definitely say you know your way around your world building.
Geeks and pseudo-geeks (like me) pay close attention to the world building. I want more than romance. I want a story that will take me to the world the author created.
I’m glad you brought up the parallel between SFR and historicals. I always felt like the odd duck for enjoying such widely varied genres. But you’re right, it’s the world building that draws me to both.
I don’t read a lot of SFR. I do enjoy historicals, so will give your book a try.
This post makes me want to dive onto an SFR immediately, even if it is not the genre onthe top of my reading list.
Congratulations on the release with Carina!
Hugs,
Pearl
Strongly agree with you on the ‘technical’ inclinations of readers of historical fiction. I tend to be picky when it comes to period details. It can be such a pleasure to find an author who can render them well.
When writing SF/SFR, world-building is definitely one of the most fascinating parts of the process. I can attest to it myself!
I am game for any genre, it’s the storyline and characters that have to grab me.
Thanks for your comments everyone! I always think of myself as being one of the most boring writers with anything to say, but your comments have really lifted my spirits.
Oh I like SFR – I enjoy because well a) ROMANCE! lol and b)I love technology. I really enjoy reading what authors come up with in their imagination. Congrats on your upcoming release!!!
My first love was golden age science fiction – anyone who pushes the boundaries of the genre (and make it approachable and enjoyable by new audiences) is going to have me for a fan!
I love SFR. I grew up reading science fiction and romance and it combines both usually in a great story.