easy question

[Lora]

Hi there- just wanted to ask for advice. I have written a trilogy and was wondering about releasing the books. Should I release one at a time or all three at once? What are your thoughts?

[Kristi]

Depends on length. If they are full length novels, (80k words or so) I'd do them at regular intervals, like 2-4 months apart. This allows you to generate interest in each one, without making your fans wait too long.

If they are novella (<50k) I'd release them all at once, or maybe a week in between.

[Will]

Do you have an established fan base? If you do, then it would make sense to publish them at intervals. That way you can build up suspense for the next book.

But if you are starting out from scratch I can see a logic in publishing all three books at once. That way your new readers can follow the story straight away.

The fact that you are asking the question suggests to me that you are self-publishing. Unfortunately, most of us who self publish find that it takes a while to build up a fan base. Unless you are very good and/or very lucky, your first few sales will be a trickle not a flood. So why not boost your chances by having all three books available at once?

[Lora]

Thanks guys. I am leaning towards the all three at once idea, hoping for a knock out cover idea to draw readers in...along with a good read of course.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Are you planning a bundle or omnibus in future? If something you might do, I'd take that into consideration before deciding to release all three at once.

If releasing on different dates, I'd make sure the book description mentioned release dates for all the books and have book records here on goodreads with planned release dates.

It's not uncommon for readers to not chance a new trilogy until more books are published or they know that the next will be out in a few weeks or months. Many self-publishing authors have dropped or delayed punishing series books making us leery.

[Anna]

Will says: Unfortunately, most of us who self publish find that it takes a while to build up a fan base.

This is probably not such an easy question: How long would you say it takes the average writer to build a fan base?

[T.L.]

Build your platform on social media.
Start following people in your genre on Twitter, start interacting on all sites (not just promo).
Maybe start a blog too?

Then release book 1.
Try and do a promo build up first (I don't think you cna offer pre release on book 1 on Amazon but this may have changed).

Hopefully you'll start getting more followers.
Send your book to bloggers; get it out there as much as poss.

Once you have a small following, build up anticipation with a pre release on book 2.

Repeat for book 3.

How long will it take? How long's a piece of string?
I've been going approx 2.5yrs and only now have I got any form of decent following. But good things come to those who wait.

Good luck!
xx

[Jaclyn]

T.L. wrote: "Build your platform on social media."

TL - I've removed your blog from your post as it counts as self-promotion (which isn't permitted in the Author Feedback Group).

[Jim]

Lora,

I am not aware of any instance in which all of the books of a commercially successful trilogy or series were initially released simultaneously.

There are two scenarios regarding the fate of a trilogy or series. The initial book released will catch on or it won't. It will provide the incentive for enthused readers to become fans of the trilogy or series or it won't. Each proceeding book will provide the incentive for readers to continue following the trilogy or series or it won't.

If a trilogy or series becomes commercially successful, word of mouth and intelligent marketing may encourage those who have not yet read any of the books to purchase the entire trilogy or series at the same time or they won't.

[Ellen]

Jim, agreed. It doesn't make sense to write a second/third book if no one is reading the first, or doesn't ask for more books in the series. This is the only area of writing where I do what my fans ask.