Fictionalising the Past: Writing Engaging Historical Settings
The course that turns your historical setting from ‘fine’ to unforgettable.
Turn Historical Research Into Immersive Story Worlds
You've done the research. You know the clothing, the politics, the architecture, the customs.
But, on the page, something still feels flat. Instead of feeling alive, your historical setting risks becoming a list of facts, an info-dump, or background wallpaper that readers barley notice.
This course shows you how to transform historical research into a living, breathing world that shapes your characters, conflict, and story.
Whether you're writing historical fiction, historical fantasy, or secondary-world fantasy inspired by real history, this course will help you build settings readers can truly step inside.
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if:
- You've researched your setting but struggle to make it feel immersive
- Your historical details sometimes turn into info-dumps
- Your setting feels like background instead of part of the story
- You want your world to influence character choices and conflist
- You write historical fiction, historical fantasy, or historically-inspired fantasy
What you'll learn ...
By the end of this course, you will know how to:
- Turn research into story-driven details instead of exposition
- Build believeable cultures, social rules, and belief systems
- Use sensory worldbuilding to immerse readers in the past
- Avoid common historical writing pitfalls and anachronisms
- Edit your manuscript so the setting feels natural and vivid
Inside the course ...
Module 1 - Why research alone doesn't create immersion and how to transform information into worldbuilding
Module 2 - How to balance accuracy with reader comfort and storytelling flow
Module 3 - Historical chauvinism and how/when to weave into your story responsibly
Module 4 - How to apply what you've learnt to your manuscript
Module 5 - Research tools and tips - how to gather the right details without falling into endless research spirals
Module 6 - How to know when you've done enough historical revision and where to go from there
What you'll receive ...
- Full course lessons
- Guided exercises and worksheets
- Practical examples your can apply to your own manuscript
- A clear framework for building immersive historical worlds
About your instructor ...
I'm a professional fiction editor specialising in fantasy, speculative, and historical fiction, with both a BA and MA in Creative Writing and years of experience helping writers strengthen their stories and worlds.
Through editing manuscripts across fantasy and historical genres, I've seen first-hand where historical settings succees - and where they fall flat.
This course brings together those insights to help you create settings that support your story rather than slow it down.
The Result ...
By the end of this course, you'll have the tools to turn your historical knowledge into a world readers can experience, not just read about.
Instead of a setting that sits quietly in the background, your historical world will become something that shapes your characters, drives conflict, and deepens immersion.
You won't just understand historical settings better; you'll know how to apply these techniques directly to your own manuscript.
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Please note: due to the digital nature of these products, we are unable to issue refunds.
Sneak peek at what's inside:
Customer Reviews
FAQs
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This course is designed for writers of historical fiction, alternative history, historical fantasy, or any story with historical elements who want to create immersive, believable, and accurate settings.
If you’ve drafted a story and want your world, culture, and time period to feel alive and authentic - or if you feel overwhelmed by research, historical accuracy, or weaving detail into your narrative - this course is for you.
It’s perfect for writers who want to balance accuracy with compelling storytelling, strengthen the immersion of their historical settings, and edit their work with confidence and clarity.
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Once you sign up, you'll have access forever. This includes any future updates to this course!
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This course is self-paced. This means you can watch the lessons whenever you want. You can start when you want, pause, and come back at your leisure.
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By the end of this course, you’ll have practical tools, worksheets, and guiding questions to strengthen your historical setting. You’ll know how to balance historical accuracy with storytelling, avoid unintentional anachronisms or biases, and create immersive worlds that feel lived-in.
Most importantly, you’ll have the confidence to revise your manuscript with clarity and purpose knowing your story’s history is as compelling and believable as your characters and plot.
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This course is best used when you have a completed draft. However, the lessons and resources provided can be used during the drafting stages to give yourself a headstart.
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This coursecan be used for novels, novellas, and short stories. Just remember: the shorter the form, the less scope you'll need to focus on.
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This course was designed to be used by any writer whose story (or stories) contain historical elements. This includes time travel, alternative historical fiction, historical fantasy, and more.
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This course, the lessons, and provided resources are all digital. You will receive immediate access. Resources are provided in downloadable PDF format. Print them out or use them on your device. Everything in this course is designed to work for you.
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Yes - if you have any questions or need further guidance, you can reach out via email at: wildblackberryediting@gmail.com - I'm happy to help!
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While this course offers a structured approach, you can complete the lessons in a way that makes the most sense to you.
What clients say about working with me:
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback on my manuscript [...] your care and insight it's made a big difference [...] I recommend anyone who is looking to get honest and valuable feedback to contact Amy. She's amazing.
— Oliver Lendon
I might be biased but Amy is literally the best [...] I was so stressed out with my book before you worked on it. When you gave it back to me, your notes helped me figure out exactly what to do to get it ready for publishing next year! I'm so excited to keep working with you!!
— Rachel Giffin
I was stuck rewriting the same act over and over, unsure how to move forward. Working with Amy at Wild Blackberry Editing gave me a fresh perspective and the confidence I needed to take my book to the next level. Her insight was exactly what I needed to break through and keep going.
— Breaunna Duwadi-Smith
I definitely made the right decision picking you 😭🙌 you’ve found a bunch of areas in my story I never considered but will be incredibly helpful to build out more. Also, I really appreciate you calling out the lines and paragraphs you like instead of it being all things to fix. It means a lot and has made me feel WAY better about the book overall! 🙂 [...] Amy did a fantastic job with my developmental edit, offering a lot of thoughtful, helpful comments that gave me so much to consider and improve my book. She worked quickly and laid out clear expecations about the process which was also very helpful. Additionally, she was great about calling out lines and sections she really liked which gave me a lot more confidence in my book. I highly recommend her and will be using her services again!
— Steve Retka
I've very much appreciated Amy's editing service [...] What I was really grateful for was Amy's approach to editing, her feedback was clear and constructive, detailing what was already working well, where my strengths were and where I should focus my efforts to bring the rest of the story up to standard. Not just pointing out what was wrong and needed work, but taking the time to highlight what was good as well which for someone like me at the start of their writing career is wonderful for my confidence yet also gives me clear direction on where to focus my efforts next.
— MG
I really appreciate your feedback. You've been super encouraging through this whole process. It felt more like sending to a trusted friend than an intimidating stanger. I like that you told me both what's going well and what could be improved or needs touch ups. Your feedback was actionable, relevant, and very helpful. Your process was transparent and I felt like I always knew what to expect. Thank you so much for working with me.
— KP
About Me
Fantasy and speculative fiction editor who's been writing since I could hold a pencil. I offer thoughtful, honest feedback tailored to your goals helping you elevate your story without losing your voice. With a BA and MA in Creative Writing and years of experiencing writing, critiquing, and editing, I'm all about helping your story shine.