Need Your Advice (and Help) RE: Series Designation

[Susanna]

Hi everyone. I've got a question I hope you can help me with.

When I wrote my book The Firebird, although it continued the lives of some of the historical characters from my book The Winter Sea, I wrote it as a standalone, a companion book to The Winter Sea, and not as an actual sequel, since I didn't think it was fair to demand that a reader go back and read the first book before opening the second one.

But I've noticed that one of the Goodreads Librarians here has now designated it "Slains 2", having created a "Slains" series with The Winter Sea as book #1.

So I wanted to get your advice, and your guidance. Because I can totally understand and appreciate why a reader/librarian would decide to link the books, and even why they might suggest the books be read in order, even though that wasn't my intent, and though I did my best to make sure that a reader wouldn't HAVE to do that.

And since Goodreads is a reader site, I always feel the readers should decide what's done with books here, and that authors shouldn't ever interfere.

The only problem is, that since the book now comes up as "Slains #2" in any search here, I'm now noticing a lot of bloggers are assuming this is an official series (which it's not). http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/...

I'm not sure what the answer is. I'd much prefer to see it called, if anything, a "Companion Book to The Winter Sea", but as I say, I don't want to interfere.

What do you think?

[Amanda]

We could have the series as unnumbered.

Also, add a description to the series listing that says the books are part of the same universe, but do not have to read in order (or whatever wording you want). We could even add the notion about Companion book in the description.

That way readers will know they are linked, but that they don't need to read them in order.

[Susanna]

Thanks, Amanda. That sounds great. And I'm happy to leave it to you to decide on the wording. As I said above, I feel (pretty strongly) that authors shouldn't try to mold or dictate the readers' experience or opinions of a book.

My main concern was the numbering issue, since it seemed to be making people feel the books were designed to be read in a particular order.

So your suggested fix sounds perfect.

Thanks so much for taking time to get this sorted for me. Very much appreciated.

[Amanda]

Took out the numbers (but it might take a day or two of all of the cache to clear). Let me know if you need anything else changed.