History teachers have available to them a rising tide of popularity in the reading of historical novels. There is no sign of this popularity waning. As this chapter will demonstrate, the historical novel continues to develop as a literary genre as increasing numbers of authors are attracted to it.

The rising tide of popularity for historical fiction

In 2008 Richard Nile wrote an impressionistic article in The Australian: ‘today, historical novels massively outsell even the finest [nonfiction] history, and readers continue to learn from their imaginative journeys into Australia's past’ (Nile, 2008). Thus, for Nile, historical fiction serves to educate readers about our past in a manner that exceeds nonfiction. This nationwide interest in Australian historical fiction perhaps stems from the nationalistic upsurge in a general interest in the Australian past as reflected by the massive increase in attendance at such events as the Gallipoli Anzac Day dawn service on freezing mornings, treks along the steamy Kokoda Trail, or expeditions to the misty Flanders Fields.

Further to the argument that history sells, it is relevant to note that a number of historical nonfiction writers have had or continue to have a strong public appeal, including authorities such as Manning Clark, Geoffrey Blainey and Robert Hughes. Also relevant are writers such as Peter FitzSimmon, who writes popular narratives in historical nonfiction, with fresh works appearing in bookshops at almost an annual rate. History sells. Another commentator has noted this penchant for the past in Australian fiction.