It seems that since Fifty Shades of Grey there are loads of serial novels with similar themes. Have you come across this new trend? I first happened on it a few months ago with the serial Anything He Wants (Dominated by a Billionaire) by Sara Fawkes. The first book was $0.99, but each additional book was $2.99 with about 40 pages a “book”. The books were not released on a schedule, so you would read one and wait about a month or longer for the next. I reacted badly. I loved the first book so much that I wanted more, but felt taken advantage of. I refused to buy anymore.
But then I saw Beth Kery’s serial, Because You Are Mine. This was a well put together, well marketed book that had 8 parts, releasing weekly. Each segment is $1.99. Way better than the first scenario. But as a person who reads a lot, the format didn’t quite work for me. I read too many books in the week between releases to get fully attached to the characters and remember what happened the previous week. To buy all 8 after they come out is more money than I will usually pay for a book.
But still, Anything He Wants stuck in my head….I wanted more of that story.
Then I grabbed the Brie Submissive Series. There are 9 books, and though the main storyline continues, each individual story has a beginning, middle and end. This kind of serial I do like. I don’t feel the need to read back to see what happened last book, but I look forward to visiting with the characters again.
Well, I contacted Sara Fawkes after I reviewed her first book Anything He Wants. Since I couldn’t stop thinking about it, I wanted to give it another chance. She sent me 2, 3 & 4. A publisher has since taken over and I bought number 5, marketed as the last book. Lo and behold it was a cliffhanger! So far if I purchased them all I would have spent $13 for 207 pages. Well, her reviews were scathing, not about the story though. Honestly I think it’s because the books are so good, we want more but feel taken advantage of. But Sara Fawkes LISTENED! She will wait to release more until an entire novel is ready. But now….I don’t want to wait! :’-( The publisher will be re-releasing all the installments as one novel in November, and we will have to wait for the full sequel. Here’s the thing though. The full Anything He Wants novel will have the first 5 books, plus like 40 extra pages for $9.99. Kind of makes you feel bad for those that were loyal and bought the whole series. Yet I’m tempted to buy it because I would like to see the “more”. (Review of the 5 parts to come tomorrow.)
So here is my bottom line. I like a short story series for $0.99 per release. I would love to see someone like Tara Sivec (author of 2 of may favorite books, Seduction and Snacks [review] and Futures and Frosting [review]) write a 30-50 page weekly comedy with her gang. Or a story that, say, takes place over 10 days, and each week we read about the next day. Each book, as an individual “episode” that is part of a larger story.
But a novel broken up into pieces is not my favorite way to read a book at all. Especially if you buy all of the installments, only to have it released as a book for less money in the end. I think serial novels are better for the person who only has time to read a few chapters a week, but for an avid reader like myself, I find myself struggling to stay involved in the story when reading so many others in between.
What are your thoughts? Have you found serials you love?
Related Posts:
- Because You Are Mine Serial Review
- Brie Submissive Series
- Fantasy Heights Series
- What To Read After Fifty Shades of Grey
Pam says
I agree! I read way too much too do a few chapters here and there.
I also agree that Tara Sivec should do something. Like a daily thing. That would be awesome!
anasdiary says
Ha! Daily! Well, you’re right, she should just do a blog. But then she’ll never have time for another book. I’d love a weekly “night out at S & S”
Michelle says
I too read lots of books & think serials are generally a pain. Brie was the exception for me as it was cheap & addictive but I tend to like a long story with a definite ending, a la Ashley, rather than tbc books anyway.
Kerry Genova says
Hmmm, I’ve only ever read a few serials – which only had 2-3 books. And they were short stories, so waiting for the next to come out just pissed me off LOL. If it’s along novel, I can be a little more patient for some reason. I really think they should wait until they are all complete and maybe bundle them together. But then again, I’m not the author trying to make a living. Honestly, as much as I love Beth Kery, having to buy all 8 at $1.99 kind of turned me off to that series. Like you, I read a lot so I have to try to keep the costs down.
Lisa w says
not a fan of serials! A full novel series is fine, but not what seems like chapters only to me
Cathy V. says
I like full novel series but I am not a fan of short serials. It’s like getting one bite of dessert then having to wait for another bite. I would rather wait for it all to be put together in one book.
Lisat131 says
I’m the odd man out here (heh, I usually am). I love serials. I think it’s exactly because I am reading so many series at once, both long and short, that I love the filler aspect. I’m reading, and hooked on, 3 different serials right now and they each come out about a month apart. It’s perfect for me. Even though I’m reading several novel series, there is always a wait time for one of those to release. The serials fill in very nicely.
I guess it’s like the difference between a 3 part movie and a television series. The movies are released annually, the tv series weekly. The cost is a definite consideration, but if priced wisely by the publisher a full serial “should” cost similarly to a hard cover novel.
jodie danowsky says
Not a huge fan, but I can’t stop reading them, especially if they are by H.M. Ward. The Arrangement is so addicting, each one ends with a cliffhanger and I just have to find out what happens. I keep stalking her fb page to know when the next one comes out. Secrets was my first serial and it was great.
I’ve read Because of You, but I didn’t find it until all the volumes were available.
Peta Benjamin says
HM Ward, The Arrangment, great story but we are now waiting on part 8 at $2.99 a pop, so that will be near $24.00, with cliff hangers with each and I am now feeling ripped off, about 70 pages in each, think I will be quite ripped off if it goes to part 9 or 10. I have never paid this for an ebook.