19 Comments
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Howard Coombe.'s avatar

The idea that caravagio is the greatest artist ever is debatable.

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Daniele Bolelli's avatar

of course, just like anything involving subjective taste

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NPC's avatar

Well I'm very excited for your book; I keep scouring the internet for release dates. You've revitalized my fascination for fine art and its demons. Despite what publishers say, you've got one anxiously awaiting reader!

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Daniele Bolelli's avatar

Thank you!

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shieldmaidenpdx's avatar

Ahhh, Caravaggio.....he was the subject of the very first public history talk I ever gave several years ago. An unbelievably talented, tortured genius. He reminds me of a quote about Filippo Brunelleschi (also a tortured Renaissance phenom) that a scholar once said, "He was a genius, but like most geniuses probably someone you wouldn't want to know." Caravaggio essentially singlehandedly invented Baroque painting with his distinctive high-contrast, raking light, gritty style. Amazing painter. Probably a damn scary man to encounter on a dark Roman street.

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Kim Gentle's avatar

I would be the first in line to read these novels! It's a travesty these publishers are so closed-minded. Dominate does not mean all. How many bodice-ripper story lines are there really? They are all the same. If you've read one you've read them all. How boring. Maybe the path to publication doesn't go through the gatekeepers. Don't give up!

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Bradley Vee's avatar

Great piece yet again, signore. I would love to read a novel on Caravaggio. I fully sympathize with the struggle of finding agent representation. Have you considered self-publishing? I think you have a large-enough following to make it work.

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The Other Spurgeon's avatar

I would be interested in reading this, most definitely. Something like this should also be a tv-series. Have you considered the format? Several seasons of *Michaelangelo* might do well.

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Daniele Bolelli's avatar

I have. selling to tv is just as hard as selling to publishers

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WHISKEY BAY PRESS's avatar

Too bad Sergio Leon is no longer with us. I’d send it to him.

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WHISKEY BAY PRESS's avatar

Probably the best historical fiction I’ve read is Louis L’amour’s The Walking Drum. Definitely not a romance novel.

Maybe his publisher would see where your book would fit?

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Daniele Bolelli's avatar

It was published in 1984--39 years ago. I'm told the market has changed since then

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WHISKEY BAY PRESS's avatar

Sure, but they still sell.

“Every one of his more than 120 books is in print; there are more than 300 million copies of his books in print worldwide, making him one of the bestselling authors in modern literary history. His books have been translated into twenty languages, and more than forty-five of his novels and stories have been made into feature films and television movies.”

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Daniele Bolelli's avatar

I'd love for agents to be on the same page with you. Frustratingly, I'm getting the same reply over and over, which is basically 'write romance novels or forget historical fiction... unless you are already uber famous'

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WHISKEY BAY PRESS's avatar

Steven Pressfield would be a good person to talk to. Maybe have him on The Drunken Taoist? His book The War of Art is of course a favorite of Rogan’s, plus he’s successfully published historical fictional. Could be a great discussion.

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The Other Spurgeon's avatar

That’s terrible. I think there’s probably an overall decline in reading period. It probably doesn’t help that there aren’t as many publishing houses as there used to be. Someone should start one for historical fiction. Some of the best books I’ve read were just that. *The Killer Angels* comes to mind.

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S.F.'s avatar

Fascinating. Well-researched historical fiction also seemed to work out just fine for writers like Gore Vidal.

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Daniele Bolelli's avatar

I'm told those were different times, and that in the last 20-30 years the market completely changed. Over 80% of readers of historical fiction are women

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WHISKEY BAY PRESS's avatar

This movie needs to happen. Would be great to see an Italian director adapt your book.

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