Setting/Genre issue

[AMCrenshaw]

I am currently preparing research for a set of novellas set in Perry County, Pennsylvania. But I was wondering whether or not a story set in (very) rural Pennsylvania between the Mexican-American and Civil War could be called a Western, if other genre elements were present-- namely, a sense of lawlessness, and interaction with Native Americans. In addition, there are 'independent' male figures and the story is a moral allegory.

Other things to note: the language is more literary; violence occurs infrequently but - when it occurs - it is brutal and unglorified; there is a strong religious element; there is more than one first person narrator.

Any help on this topic is appreciated.

[alleycat]

I think I would call that historical fiction rather than a western.

[Puma]

I second the historical fiction. I think there's been too much stretching on the definition for locale and time period for westerns, and, in my opinion, Pennsylvania between the Mexican War and the Civil War is way beyond what I've already seen stretched. Puma

[AMCrenshaw]

Thank you both. Historical doesn't bother me any bit. I was more or less curious.

[Puma]

Actually, you're probably better off with historical, at least market wise - not a bad thing. Puma

[JeanneTGC]

What Puma said, in spades. Historical's doing fine...Old West? More of a stretch, as my agent tells me daily. (*sigh* Hey, my novel set in the Old West is at the 3rd publisher...3rd time's the charm right? No one say, "Or 3 strikes and you're out," okay? LOL)

I could be wrong, but you're pretty well safe saying historical for any locale, but if you're doing any related to the Old West, figure most of the action needs to take place West of the Mississippi.