Bibliography in historical fiction?

I wouldn't call your book historical fiction. Is that what it's being marketed as?

For very serious historical fiction I have seen bibliographies - but I'd never expect them in a vampire novel. Puma

I don't think it's necessary. When SEASONS IN THE MIST was published, the publisher was kind enough to let me put in my glossary of terms, but she never asked me for a bibliography or anything of that nature. Sounds like you're on solid ground here as-is.

Not in your case

I agree with those above as a bibliography would not be necessary. However, consider this. In my case, I discuss papyri and in the process include directly in the text the names of sources and their positions that I give in the abbreviation list in the front matter. Odd, I agree, but that is the style in ancient history books.

I may mention sources in my Author's/Historical Notes section or personally thank an historian in my Acknowledgement section. If anyone wants to know my sources, he/she can always contact me through my publisher or gmail.

Often my section quotations reveal a source or three.

Scott, if your project is for MG, why not include the biblio as a "Want to Read More About It?" section at the end of the book? Kids are curious...you might start some of your readers down some fascinating intellectual rabbit-trails.

Just a thought.

Deb Kinnard said:

Scott, if your project is for MG, why not include the biblio as a "Want to Read More About It?" section at the end of the book? Kids are curious...you might start some of your readers down some fascinating intellectual rabbit-trails.

Click to expand...

Deb beat me to it.

No, there's no requirement to put in a bibliography even in an Historical Novel, much less an Historical Fantasy.

But I would have been interested to have a few books suggested about the Salem Witch Trials in the back of the book when I was that age. Any kid who likes your book might want to read more about that time period. I wouldn't necessarily include all the books you used, but the most interesting ones, yes.

What I did in mine was to include Author's Notes at the end. There is where I listed sources for the information included in the novel.