tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post391238809216435554..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: To Series or Not to SeriesBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16866512480035833512008-07-30T15:29:00.000-04:002008-07-30T15:29:00.000-04:00As a reader I get bored with a series after 4 or 5...As a reader I get bored with a series after 4 or 5 books. There are a few exceptions to that rule, but normally I've had enough and want something different.<BR/><BR/>Now as a writer, if a agent asked me to keep the series going to 10, sure I'm game...(grin)...<BR/><BR/>Dawn<BR/>www.dawnchartier.comDawn Chartierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00355349961864919535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25364806347298524802008-07-28T07:05:00.000-04:002008-07-28T07:05:00.000-04:00I love series, but I do get sick of them when they...I love series, but I do get sick of them when they don't end. Four-six books is around my limit.<BR/><BR/>I also dislike intensly series books where individiual books do not stand alone.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15366661871382135926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27936134431803482382008-07-27T16:05:00.000-04:002008-07-27T16:05:00.000-04:00As we can see by the answers, like or dislike of s...As we can see by the answers, like or dislike of series is a purely subjective thing.<BR/><BR/>I read and write YA and have found quite a few series that I really enjoy. I was a little disappointed when Meg Cabot was done with her Mediator series, for instance, and I am one of probably a million others who have pre-ordered the next Twilight book. I'm also jazzed to go grab the next Artemis Fowl.<BR/><BR/>In adult fiction, I like Lee Child's Reacher books, which I suppose are not really a series, but they do follow the same character. Likewise with Lisa Unger's Beautiful Lies and Sliver of Truth.<BR/><BR/>If I really enjoy a character as I do with those books, I like spending more time with them. Same goes for writing series. My current series stands at three books, but I could easily go for more because I enjoy working with my characters. That said, I don't think I could go beyond five or so because there is so much else I want to explore in my writing. <BR/><BR/>FWIW for those who are looking at querying for a series, I sent a one-page synopsis at the end of my first book on submission to show series potential - and it worked!Gerbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13073463561640650913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55247151556028963112008-07-26T15:05:00.000-04:002008-07-26T15:05:00.000-04:00I LOVE series of books and characters I love. Tha...I LOVE series of books and characters I love. That is the sticking point for me - I have to love the characters in the first book I read (now that can be anywhere IN the series) and love them enough, love their world enough that I want to read more. <BR/><BR/>An interconnected type of series that drew me in was Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series. I started somewhere in the middle (and that book is still my favorite of all of them) and then went back to number one and read the rest. They were single title, and each book had it's own hero/heroine but all the characters were interrelated. She pulled it all off wonderfully. <BR/><BR/>Another series that I love, which is about the same people, is JD Robb's IN Death series. Her main characters, Eve and Roark are some of my favorite characters ever. And in each book, they move a little forward, they change a little but still butt heads because of their inherent differences. It's very true to life. Compromises, difficulties - you go through life with them and it works wonderfully. <BR/><BR/>It all comes down to the characters. They have to mean enough to me to want more of them.Jeannie Rueschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16121805051292444835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63759180778094449912008-07-26T10:09:00.000-04:002008-07-26T10:09:00.000-04:00Writing a series has a number of advantages, no ma...Writing a series has a number of advantages, no matter what the genre. I think the biggest is that I know my main characters well as I begin writing the next installment. It’s much easier than trying to invent a brand new protag from scratch. So to keep my series character fresh, I always ask, “What does she need to learn that she doesn’t already know?” The answer to that question is my challenge for new character development in the next book.<BR/><BR/>One of the downsides to a series is backstory. How much do I have to retell with each new book? Where do I draw the line between bringing the new reader up to speed that may have started reading in mid-series and boring the established fan who has already read the previous books and just wants me to get on with the new story?<BR/><BR/>I think it’s healthy for a series writer to produce a standalone now and then just to test the waters and cleanse the creative palate. But it can be dangerous and costly. It’s always good to stick with the notion that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.Joe Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00028401465567502250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-19102124965706518962008-07-25T23:03:00.000-04:002008-07-25T23:03:00.000-04:00I am a big fan of series that involve a family or ...I am a big fan of series that involve a family or group of friends. I just like to see secondary characters who caught my attention in a book tell their stories as well.<BR/><BR/>It seems my love of reading series has spilled over to my own writing. Even as I started to write my first book, I had two other books in the back of my head for four secondary characters.Santahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770231939962704822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53014707363394186732008-07-25T22:12:00.000-04:002008-07-25T22:12:00.000-04:00Lawsy, and I totally forgot to mention.I probably ...Lawsy, and I totally forgot to mention.<BR/><BR/>I probably will note Project X is intended to be the first in a series when I start querying. The characters would drive me insane if I tried to shelve them, so I at least need to be able to tell them I tried. Trying to be serious, an agent who detests series would probably not be a good fit for me. We might as well get it out in the open from the git go.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2544294087029381362008-07-25T22:09:00.000-04:002008-07-25T22:09:00.000-04:00*Ponders admitting the truth in public.*I like a w...*Ponders admitting the truth in public.*<BR/><BR/>I like a well-crafted series. I don't like being hung out and having to wait three years for the answers to my questions.<BR/><BR/>That's one reason the fantasy I'm working on now has a satisfactory conclusion. No, all the threads haven't been tied up, but the mc reaches a reasonably happy point. I think a reader could pick it up and be happy if I never wrote another in the series. I also hope the readers will love the characters enough to want to see them again. Project X (I'm working on a new title) definitely has an end, though. I've seen the final scene and I know the title to the last book.<BR/><BR/>Others, we'll wait and see. I have some historicals simmering about a group of relatively famous old west women who are connected. The books would be stand alone stories, but a series of them.<BR/><BR/>Another one about a group of cowgirls is a stand alone. <BR/><BR/>The suspense novel was a stand alone, but I had so much fun with my two of my wild cowboys. I could easily see them veering off on their own adventure.<BR/><BR/>No, I'm really not that fragmented. I just like interesting stories and when I run across them I can't help following them to the source.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-37254563952260155562008-07-25T19:36:00.000-04:002008-07-25T19:36:00.000-04:00I like series, but not forever. There are excepti...I like series, but not forever. There are exceptions, but in most series books there comes a time when the characters don't have growth or an arc. JK Rowling is a genius, and ended the Harry Potter book on a perfect note.Edie Ramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084144940233965447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-54714570253785517962008-07-25T18:25:00.000-04:002008-07-25T18:25:00.000-04:00Gail, that is so true. I never once pictured mysel...Gail, that is so true. I never once pictured myself writing a series that went on for eighteen novel and novellas, yet I've not run out of ideas yet. I'm a real panster when I write, which means I DON'T plot ahead. I tune into my characters and find out what they're up to, and believe me, I'm often as surprised as my readers to see what comes next. That, of course, is what I think makes an ongoing series so much fun.Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-71628741400361767882008-07-25T18:09:00.000-04:002008-07-25T18:09:00.000-04:00I hate a series with no end in sight in the fantas...<I>I hate a series with no end in sight in the fantasy genre because it gives me the feeling that the author is just making it up as he goes.</I><BR/><BR/>Jeff, that's probably because he/she IS making it up as he goes. I know of several who do that. My first trilogy, I mostly did. The one I'm doing now--which will have at least 3 books, maybe 4 or 5--I have a little better handle on how things will turn out. But I don't think I'll take it beyond 6 books at the outside. I don't think.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I enjoy reading series. Some more than others. In romance. In fantasy. In mystery. Generally, if I like one book in the series, I'll like the others--tho some more than others...Gail Daytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799083467910831241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-88127169985484427012008-07-25T17:15:00.000-04:002008-07-25T17:15:00.000-04:00I like writing a series which has endless options ...I like writing a series which has endless options for spin-offs through other characters. The same holds true whether it's a short story or novel.T. M. Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726033990784930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91796799720627408772008-07-25T17:09:00.000-04:002008-07-25T17:09:00.000-04:00In fantasy the new trend seems to be five book ser...In fantasy the new trend seems to be five book series. You see fewer trilogies. I hate a series with no end in sight in the fantasy genre because it gives me the feeling that the author is just making it up as he goes.Jeff Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09308834117176284991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2226886387806776282008-07-25T15:00:00.000-04:002008-07-25T15:00:00.000-04:00I've read lots of series, but lately I only buy bo...I've read lots of series, but lately I only buy books in a series if they are all already published. I hate waiting 2-3 years for the next installment. There are so many great books out there that I never have a lack of reading material.<BR/><BR/>I'm in the querying process and I do mention that my novel is book 1 of a trilogy. I want the potential agent and publisher to know that I'm not a 1-hit wonder.Debra L Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15825531924522383449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76589795929853778342008-07-25T14:59:00.000-04:002008-07-25T14:59:00.000-04:00I cannot help thinking of Star Wars, which should ...I cannot help thinking of Star Wars, which should have ended with the third movie, and James Bond, which should have ended when Sean Connery left.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-13692886768366879602008-07-25T13:58:00.000-04:002008-07-25T13:58:00.000-04:00Question: What if you're pitching the first book i...Question: What if you're pitching the first book in what you're planning to have as a pair of companion novels? Should you mention the second one? It's not really a series, because it's only two books.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I tend to fall in love with characters, so it makes me happy to see them again in a new book. However, I tend to gravitate towards series where there is a reward for reading them from book one to book ten, but each book solidly stands on its own. Many romance novels do that well (Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux, Suzanne Brockmann). As do mystery writers like Robert B. Parker (I've been reading his Jesse Stone books out of order, and they each stand alone extremely well.)<BR/><BR/>I do like several series mystery writers, too. Victoria Laurie and Casey Daniels are a couple of the more recent ones I've fallen for. Lucky for me, though, they already had several books out by the time I discovered them, so I was able to get my fix.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920175688407593776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18432720475940723202008-07-25T13:25:00.000-04:002008-07-25T13:25:00.000-04:00I don't like stand-alone books. It is incredible h...I don't like stand-alone books. It is incredible hard to make me like a single book. Most of the time I don't have the time to like any of the characters because the story is so short. I've never in my life recommended a stand-alone book to anyone. <BR/><BR/>But give me a series and I'll be able to start caring. Then I'll sit in line for the next books and tell all my friends about the shiny books.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03045812486170457797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64825149457992644562008-07-25T13:05:00.000-04:002008-07-25T13:05:00.000-04:00Fawn, from a writers' viewpoint, I haven't "phoned...Fawn, from a writers' viewpoint, I haven't "phoned in" a book yet. Sometimes, like now when I've missed my deadline and I'm having a problem with a plot twist I hadn't expected, I think it would be wonderful if I could, but each story is as important to me as the one before. And, for what it's worth, I don't worry about disappointing my readers nearly as much as I worry about disappointing myself--I like to think I've set my standards pretty high. <BR/><BR/>PS: to correct an error in my earlier post, that's "write," not "writ!"Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27364024244711543452008-07-25T12:48:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:48:00.000-04:00I normally don't want to read more than three book...I normally don't want to read more than three books of a series. I find that by the fourth book, the writer's just phoning it in, anymore, and it loses a lot of it's charm for me.<BR/>The only exception to this in my opinion has been Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, because although they are all set in the same place, he has several sets of characters to work with, in various locales, and each book is a complete story. He's written over 30, and I'm still not bored.Sarah J. MacManushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03430266551248332700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62933805974687221072008-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:00I write what looks like a never-ending series, but...I write what looks like a never-ending series, but Wolf Tales began as an online serial with the same characters--and new ones added--in each subsequent chapter. Now, as I write the fifteenth story in the print edition of the series, I tend to look at it more as a soap opera with the main issue in each story finding its conclusion by the end of the book, but the ongoing issues stretching between books. I've grown very attached to my characters--I spend more time with them than I do with real people--but so have my readers. I know the series will come to an end at some point, but for now I'm having too much fun writing the stories to willfully give them up. When I look at my own bookshelves, I realize they're loaded with series: Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders, JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, Angela Knight's Mageverse, Christine Feehan's Carpathians, Lori Foster's numerous shorter series...I love the continuation, the way returning characters begin to feel like old friends. I love to go back and reread the older books when new ones come out, and I'll admit to a real nostalgic sense of loss when a favorite series ends. I'll probably need a good therapist when I have to writ the last Wolf Tales!Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6132411955249425302008-07-25T12:34:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:34:00.000-04:00I love series books and that's pretty much all I r...I love series books and that's pretty much all I read with the exception of some upscale women's fiction thrown in for variety. 8^)<BR/><BR/>Series books need to stand alone. There are so many that claim to, then you pick up book two and are totally lost because you didn't read book one. I swear off those authors. Someone isn't doing their job. There's a distinction between a series and a trilogy, and reader expectations are different for each.<BR/><BR/>I think series are gaining in popularity because most television dramas are series shows and the build-up of anticipation is addictive for viewers. Some shows are cliff hangars (Heroes) while others simply perpetuate the relationships between characters and often have an over-arcing plot goal that lasts over a few episodes (Bones). I love those. And you never know from episode to episode if that over-arcing element is going to crop up, and it's okay because you're too caught up in the characters with their new stories. When books do this, they attract more series readers.<BR/><BR/>To keep a series fresh, writers need to continuously introduce new characters and subplots, and resolve over-arcing plot goals over the course of a few books at a time, then introduce new ones. Characters should change partners, get pets, move to different towns, maybe even change jobs just like real life. It's the stagnant story elements that make a series go stale.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I write series. 8^) How could you tell?Karen Duvallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839711547501582977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32867933054218062742008-07-25T12:18:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:18:00.000-04:00To me either a short series is nice or a series th...To me either a short series is nice or a series that is about brothers or sister so the same people aren't the main character in all the books.<BR/>cmrChris Reddinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00429148293004912993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-58439816807710615542008-07-25T12:00:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:00:00.000-04:00As a reader, I'm just not that into series books. ...As a reader, I'm just not that into series books. I'm drawn into one every now and then, but usually I'm only interested in book six or seven and don't really have the interest to go back to the first one.<BR/>As a writer, I'm even more hesitant. I understand they help build an audience, because readers are likely to go back to the first one if they're interested in a later book, and then they read all of those books rather than just one, but since I don't read them enough, I'm not really comfortable writing them. I'd rather tell one story with one set of characters, then move on to a new one.Christine Careyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11341804703650310395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-4217001609497060972008-07-25T11:59:00.000-04:002008-07-25T11:59:00.000-04:00I enjoy reading series books. I also enjoy writin...I enjoy reading series books. I also enjoy writing them. The idea of writing the occasional non-series book has a great deal of appeal as well, because it gives the author a break mentally and allows him or her to come back to the series with a fresher perspective.Pepper Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00088936125225559789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-29197559366803584932008-07-25T11:58:00.000-04:002008-07-25T11:58:00.000-04:00Depends. If I like the first book, the characters,...Depends. If I like the first book, the characters, etc. then I may seek out the next in the group until I lose interest or not. I can think of several I wish had never ended: Lord of the Rings, Burroughs' Martian books (lost interest in the Tarzan books as they became derivative, there was one lost city after another and that got boringly repetitive), come to mind. I enjoyed the original James Bond books by Fleming but haven't touched the one's written by others. Same for the Conan books coming after Howard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com