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Thanks! I’m automatically a fan of any site that promotes inspirational historical fiction! I am an acquisitions editor in the Fiction Department at Bethany House Publishers, and my main focuses are historical fiction, women’s fiction, and romance. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1997 and have worked in book publishing ever since, at both fiction and nonfiction houses. I’ve been with Bethany since 2003. In my work, I particularly enjoy discovering talented new voices, developing stories, and being a part of sharing uplifting novels with the world.
What are some of the historical titles that you have edited at BH?
I work specifically with Kim Vogel Sawyer, Tamera Alexander, Judith McCoy Miller, and Julie Klassen, and then I end up playing various minor roles in several other historical fiction projects.
You say that historical fiction is your favorite genre. What draws you to it?
I’ve always loved American history—not wartimes and political events like we learn about in school, but the stories of regular people and places. I love escaping into history via a novel. It’s like time travel without those pesky indoor plumbing/no fast food type issues.
How would you describe the historical fiction that BH publishes?
We seek to publish historical fiction with strong characters, great writing, historical accuracy, and a story that sucks you in and captivates you until the final page. Most of our historical fiction is aimed toward women, so there’s usually a romance thread, and female characters play a lead role.
What future do you see for historical fiction?
This is a great time for historical fiction! It’s the one Christian fiction category that just keeps growing. I think the future is very bright for this genre. We’re starting to see some fabulous new authors emerge, and the long-time authors are still strong, too. As our modern times get more complicated and technology-dependent, I think that sense of nostalgia historical fiction offers will grow even more popular.
Who do you see as the typical HF reader? In other words, what type of audience are you trying to reach?
We see Bethany House historical fiction readers as being primarily women, and they vary in age all the way from 10 to 100. They like strong female characters. They like romance. They like American settings. They seek out Bethany House because they know they will get a high-quality, Christian story.
As an editor, what are some of your pet peeves—things that authors do that you wish they wouldn’t?
COME BACK TOMORROW FOR PART TWO OF THE INTERVIEW WITH BETHANY HOUSE EDITOR CHARLENE PATTERSON
This week our contest book giveaway is not only for one book but for 10 books - that is we can have 10 winners! Some of you may be able to win more than once.
Here are the titles up for our giveaway:
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander (I just read this - it's terrific!)
Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist
Unbridled Dreams by Stephanie Grace Whitson
The Jewel of Gresham Green by Lawanna Blackwell
Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser (I just bought this - it looks great!)
Haven't read the others yet, but check out the websites - they look wonderful!
So don't forget to leave a comment for our contest to win a Bethany House title. :)
12 comments:
I have to repost this comment due to a typo in my email address.
I love Bethany House! I'm glad that Charlene and so many other BH editors are coming to the ACFW conference. As an inspirational historical author, I find BH's novels to be consistently the closest to my own in their style and subject matter. Thanks for the interview, and here's hoping I get one of those ten books.
inkhornblue [at] hotmail
I've enjoyed many Bethany House historical novels, the latest being Julie Klassen's Lady of Milkweed Manor. I highly recommend this one.
Thanks for the interview. I'll check back tomorrow for part two.
Lori Benton
I cannot tell you how much I love Bethany House and especially all these historical fiction authors. HF is definitely my favorite genre. I have chills even thinking about getting to read all these books sooner that I can afford them. :)
MJ cherryblossommj(at)gmail[dot]com
I'll definitely be back for more!
Just wanted to pop in and say "hi" to my editor. Charlene, good to see you on here! And hey...my anniversary is around the corner...any of those books would be a great gift! LOL!
Thanks for the interview with an editor. I have always wanted to be one and she sounds very good at what she does. Inspired historical fiction is one of my favorite genres! As she said, the characters are strong and there are quality relationships.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for the interview. Historical fiction is my favorite.
danelli04 [at]hotmail [dot]com
Thanks for the great interview - love the "behind the scenes" perspective. I'd love to be entered in the drawing - especially if Whitson and Blackwell's new books are up for grabs. I have the others already. :) Bethany House is probably my favorite publisher.
I enjoyed reading this interview with Charlene and I'd love to be entered in the giveaway.
Enjoyed the interview! I enjoy historicals and Bethany House has some great ones.
It's interesting to read about historical fiction from the editor's perspective. I also look for strong women heroines in the books I choose.
Thanks Charlene for your insight.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre so winning any of these books would be a treat. Thanks!!
tekeygirl {at} gmail {dot} com
Charlene is absolutely right. Folks check out BHP because they know they'll get a fantastic historical novel with memorable and engaging characters that stick with you long after the book is done.
I love hearing that it's a great time for historical fiction, as I'm seeking to branch out into trade-length after selling 6 books in mass-market size.
Strong characters, female-led, historical accuracy...got that in my longer historicals. We'll see where God leads.
Would love to be entered into the drawing. My email is:
tiff [at] ambermiller [dot] com
Thanks for a great interview so far.
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