I realize this a very broad question. I've been slowly writing/thinking of writing a non magical Medieval setting YA novel. But, in trying to make it somewhat unique/different, I suddenly had the idea to take everything and move it to a more Napoleonic era setting (Count of Monte Cristo like) This would make it more unique I guess, but would I lose 80% of my audience? I know the story comes first, and a good story will work whatever setting it's in, but does anyone have any helpful advice on this, like: "Those books never sell, go back to Medieval" I'm at work and have accomplished nothing but stare at the ceiling. My characters and plot would work in either setting, though I'd lose some things while gaining others. My fear for each is: Medieval - hard to make the setting unique enough to stand out from the rest. Napoleonic - Not many people will care enough to read it. Any help it all would be awesome. Thanks!
I'm personally kind of sick of medieval fantasy. It's fun, but there's just all of it out there. So, yeah, I'd like to see more Napoleonic~ish fantasy. Last I read was The Shades of Magic series that I figured was that era, and it's got a fairly large fan base, so I don't think you'll be alienating anyone.
My first thought after reading your post was, Magic Kingdom for Sale–Sold! I haven't read all of The Magic Kingdom of Landover series but MKfSS was a lot of fun because of the irregular setting and all the intricacies that setting brought to the story. I think you can make it work in any era provided your characters are engaging and the plot sufficiently original. Instead of thinking about it, start writing. You might be surprised where your characters take you.
I wouldn't worry about audience too much. There's also more competition where there are more readers. It can be just as good, if not much better, to stand out rather than making a derivative of something else in hopes of getting the same readers. Ultimately, let the creative process drive. Write whatever feels the most compelling to you.
Medieval settings are done to death, and in my opinion, have been for some time. So I think making it more Napoleanic Era esque, would add a uniqueness to your story that might lack in other peoples. It would set you apart and in that sense, at least in my mind, you'd actually gain audience.
I'd like to see a napoleonic-era style fantasy epic. The medieval setting has been done to death. Heck, why not the Victorian era? Perhaps you could explore fantasy steampunk?
I'd love to see more post-medieval fantasy. I recently read A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie, and that one takes the previously medieval setting and moves it forward to the early stages of the industrial revolution. While pinning it down to an exact point in history is tricky, it did feel sort of Napoleon-esque.
I'm myself writing a early modern period inspired fantasy, with the protagonist being a former hussar. Firearms are the norm. Some magic, not too much; it's low fantasy. I'm a big fan of the modern age.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Majesty's_Dragon is Napoleonic fantasy. However, I think people are less tired of medieval fantasy and more of the ahistorical fantasy mush that is "medieval fantasy". A lot of very specific things had to happen for the medieval times to be shaped the way it was, specifically the collapse of the Roman Empire. Beyond that, I think a lot of stories don't quite understand that the transition between Renaissance from Medieval was not so much one of technology, (though that was part of it, new tools and methods allowing faster generation of wealth,) but one of ideology as well, with early Humanism and The Enlightenment beginning. I think if more people focused on the shifting ideologies that came with the time period, it would probably be a more interesting read. However, I am writing early renaissance fantasy and all of this may just be a defence mechanism to justify my work. Please no bully.
Thanks for all of the responses! I've been thinking about this story for about a year, straight up Medieval. A period that I love, but yes, it is hard to make it stand out from all of the others. Probably switching to 1800's ish. Just strange letting the other time period go. I originally 'borrowed' ideas from the 1800 time frame, real life events, tweaked them and was going to use them in the medieval setting. Which would've worked, but now going back to the 1800s, I'm running into some "oh crap, can't use that now" moments. The question for me now is what level of realism vs fantasy. Realistic non-magical in a made up world, full on Fantasy, or 100% historical. Thanks again for the responses, you probably have me pointed in the right direction. Still can't bring myself to delete all of the medieval battle pictures riddled throughout my work computer.
You're writing for yourself first and foremost, my guy. Assume no one outside your inner circle is going to read it until you're proven otherwise. Also, it's fantasy. You can play with tech levels. The Witcher has magic teleports and projections on the level of Star Trek, while firearms aren't a thing due to destruction of the necessary resources. Just come up with ideas for what's cool first and think of reasons for why later.