Slightly dated, but an okay reference for those seeking to write historical fiction. Woolley provides a wide breadth of advice, starting with the basics of defining the genre and research methods, taking the reader through actually writing their novel and then finishing with discussions on seeking agents and editors.

Most of the best advice is given through her personal experiences, such as when touring locations, probing people like bus drivers for tips about locally known places and legends.

You can tell this book was published in 1997 and with that in mind, Woolley was definitely ahead of her time by taking advantage of the computer and basic Internet.

Like many writing books that hone in on a specific genre, it's a good addition to writer's library, but not an all-encompassing work. ( )

Persia Woolley's book covers everything--what historical fiction consists of; how to do the research (including a chapter on travel); organizing, writing, and preparing the manuscript; and chapters on agents, publishing, and marketing your book. She discusses not only the nuts and bolts but the personal experience, summing up the whole process as an immensely rewarding one on the whole.

The book is full of things she wishes she had known back when: She's not a bit afraid to admit her mistakes if she thinks it will help someone else coming along. Some of her tips are clear, practical, and can be put to use immediately, no matter what stage of the writing you are in. Others are simply not clear (how she keeps track of her drafts, for example, baffled me completely), and still others are dated (e-books were still well in the future when she wrote this). She writes with style and humor and manages to be as encouraging and motivating as if she were the reader's real-life mentor.

How to Write and Sell Historical Fiction is a great introduction to the world of authorship. Be forewarned, however, that the book is full of spoilers for novels you haven't read yet, including her Guinevere series. If you haven't already, you might wish to read at least these three before picking up the How to. ( )