Our research into period settings revealed

4th October, 2017

To mark the opening of this year’s Walter Scott Prize, we conducted an extensive survey into the period settings of historical fiction, based on the 650 novels submitted for the prize over its eight-year history. Prize shortlists were also analysed, to see whether period setting had an effect on which books made the shortlist.

Fascinating survey findings include:

• 38% of all submissions were set in the 20^th century, making relatively recent history by far the most popular setting for literary fiction

• Writers and publishers continue to be drawn to the two World Wars as settings or backdrops for fiction. 14% of all submissions were set during WW2, while 9% were set during WW1. Nearly a quarter (23%) of the books shortlisted for the prize were set during WW1. 14% of shortlisted books were set during WW2.

• Over 120 of the books submitted for the prize (19%) were set between 1837 and 1901, making the lengthy Victorian era the most popular period across all submissions

• Tudor, Stuart and Regency periods were all popular, whilst novels set in ancient or medieval times had just a scattering of submissions

• Books which won the prize came from a wide variety of historical settings, from the 14th to 20th centuries.

Alistair Moffat, chair of judges, said:

“The results of this survey shed fascinating light both on recent publishing trends, and on the sources of inspiration for authors. The Victorian era continues to fascinate writers and provides a rich seam of inspiration for novels, as exemplified by the recent success of books such as Sarah Perry’s The Essex Serpent.

However it is the turbulent backdrop of war and conflict which seems to provide the most powerful draw for the best of our fiction writers. The First World War has been strongly in focus during its centenary, and was the setting of a mighty 23% of our shortlisted books; whilst the Second World War and its legacy continues to attract fiction writers of the highest calibre, with two of our winners being set in its aftermath.

Nevertheless, the diverse settings of our overall winning novels shows that our rule of quality of writing as the deciding factor has prevailed over any publishing trend for particular periods of history.”

Prize judge and historical novelist Katharine Grant said:

“I think the Victorian era appeals to novelists because its great length, roughly 1837 to 1901, encompasses so many great themes – exploration, industrial expansion, empire, scientific discovery, religious doubt – and all the personal   tensions and conflicts generated from these. So much material!

But writing about the two world wars still, today, seems to generate a kind of ongoing authorial urgency that can, in dextrous hands, translate into writing of the sharpest quality. Perhaps this sharpness often just edges ahead.”

To see the Guardian article about our survey, click here.