Tomorrow, September 29, is the birthday of Michelangelo Merisi, AKA Caravaggio, the man who, in my opinion, is the greatest painter who ever lived. Born in 1571, Caravaggio died in 1610. His life was brief, intense and violent. There is no argument that the historical Caravaggio was a badass. He was the greatest artist of his age, and also an outlaw—equally comfortable with a paintbrush as with a sword. The fact that, over 400 years after his death, he is still the subject of countless books, comics, art exhibitions, novels, and academic treaties, testifies to the mark he has left on popular consciousness. But the historical Caravaggio is also a mystery. What we know is that he was a larger than life individual, and that he was the living blueprint for the ‘tortured artist’ archetype. Yet, very few quotes exist that can be attributed to him. And next to nothing is known for sure about what motivated him, why he regularly clashed with the powers that be, and what he was really like in day-to-day life.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
“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.”
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'
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.
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.
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
The idea that caravagio is the greatest artist ever is debatable.
of course, just like anything involving subjective taste
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!
Thank you!
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.
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!
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.
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.
I have. selling to tv is just as hard as selling to publishers
Too bad Sergio Leon is no longer with us. I’d send it to him.
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?
It was published in 1984--39 years ago. I'm told the market has changed since then
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.”
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'
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.
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.
Fascinating. Well-researched historical fiction also seemed to work out just fine for writers like Gore Vidal.
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
This movie needs to happen. Would be great to see an Italian director adapt your book.