Gregs3071 asked Maria V. Snyder:

Hi Maria, I have read elsewhere that subsequent novels in a series always sell less units than the preceeding novel. Have you found this to be true?

Maria V. Snyder Hello! Sorry for the delay in my reply - it's been a crazy busy summer! Generally, yes, the second and third books in a series usually sell less copies. Most readers are willing to "try" a new author, but purchasing or borrowing the first book in a series. If they love the book, they'll rush out and get the others. If they don't...well, they find a new author/series to try. When a second or third book comes out, readers don't want to purchase them before reading the first one (makes sense!) so they'll wait to buy it until they can locate the first one - however, they'll forget or another series will catch their eye.

Of course there are exceptions. If a series is very popular and readers have borrowed the first book from a library, but can't wait to get the second from the library, they'll get their own copy.

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