Questions and input on shapeshifter books

[Koda]

Hello all, I hope everyone is having a great week and some good reads! :) I was looking for some people's opinions on some questions, I do apologize if you are seeing this on more than one group you are in as I am trying to get various thoughts and opinions on this.

From what I have seen, most books that are about or even vaguely consisting of shapeshifters seem like there is only one or two types at a time. On top of that, they seem to typically consist of wolves, bears, lions, dragons, maybe the occasional tiger... Are there any books with all types of animal shifters or do they mainly focus on one type?

Is there any interest in an actual world of animal shapeshifters? Or do readers want more magical beings as well such as vampires, witches, and other mythical type beings and beasts?

Do readers tend to prefer a longer book or a series of shorter installments? I suppose the better question to ask would be Do readers feel more comfortable purchasing a book from a first time author if it is offered in shorter installments (therefore giving a cheaper price to "try" them out)? Or do readers prefer to just buy one larger book?

Thank you for your time and input. Any opinions you share are most appreciated!

[Samantha wickedshizuku]

What I look for in a really good paranormal book of any sort, is that the monsters actually be monsters. A lot of books have not lived up to this standard, and make out that it's all kittens and rainbows. Young Adult usually falls into this pit trap. I think the industry wants smaller books because its easier to market. This also seems to be more stressful on the writers. You should ask yourself though who your target audience is though. If it's for kid's short; for adults and a cult following then it should be super long.This is merely my opinion though.
A couple of series to note: Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison, Kell's Legend by Andy Remic, Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn, The Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong,The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, October Day and Incrpted series by Seanan McGuire, anything by Simon R. Green, Darren Shan, Cat Valente, Patrick Rothfuss, or Stephen King.
Good luck on your writing journey!

[Vanessa]

I feel bad about saying this, but lately, I see it's a shifter book, and I look elsewhere. There's so many out there and they often end up the same. As a reader you'd really have to promote your book as something new to stand out from the vast see of shifter books.

So, I think a world with more stuff in it would be nice. Don't focus on the shifter so much as the world when you advertise, though have all the lovely shifters you want. This is my one person opinion, your mileage may vary.

[Lori]

I have been writing a paranormal romance series about a group of witches (Wiccans) and the leader of the coven who falls for a man, an Animal Control officers, who turns out to be a shapeshifter--a werewolf. In the first book, Wiccan Shadows, she tries to come to terms with it. In the second book, Wiccan Moonlight, she discovers that there is an entire community of shapeshifters of all types of creatures, predators, but also non-meat-eaters. they help her to realize that shapeshifters are not also as dangerous as they seem.