Struggles with Unending Series

[Heather]

I have Foundation on my list (and bought all the series used). I'm working on finishing Dark Tower, first. At least Dark Tower is a series that did get finished!

[Tracey]

Even though it is now over, I think The Wheel of Time has claim to an honorary place on the List of Neverending Series. I read the first one (dating myself here) when I was about 17, not long after it came out ... and twenty-three years later, having outlived not only the original illustrator of most of its jackets but also its author, having almost doubled the original number of books projected for it (as I recall, it was supposed to be eight for a while there), it finally wrapped up in one big messy bundle in 2013. For my entire adult life up to then there was always another WoT book coming...

[Book Nerd]

I've loved EU books since Heir to the Empire came out. I haven't read them all since I didn't have the resources in money, amazon.com, or the internet in general when I was younger but I've read the majority of the post ROTJ books.

When I heard about Disney my first instinct was to take a lightsaber to Mickey Mouse, Jar Jar Abrams, and then George Lucas for selling out. Then I realized lightsabers and MIckey Mouse don't exist. So I decided to collect and read as many of the EU books and comics as I can and completely ignore the new canon. Training my family in the difference so they don't buy me a bunch of Disney crap has been really challenging but judging by the Spaceballs-esqe movies Disney's putting out I made the right choice.

[Laz]

Don't forget Piers Anthony's Xanth series - now over 40 books! YA fantasy/humor, but still...

[Brian]

I really appreciated this discussion. I intended on writing such a series having published my YA just recently. "Galactic Startup" however now I want to keep it at about eight.. Thanks !!!

[L J]

Brian wrote: "I really appreciated this discussion. I intended on writing such a series having published my YA just recently. "Galactic Startup" however now I want to keep it at about eight.. Thanks !!!"

As a reader of series I appreciate authors who know where they are going with a series before they start writing whether they plan to do 8 books or 80. Series that have smaller groups/shorter story arcs within the series are more likely to keep me reading the series.

[Heather]

It's interesting how one hits a tipping point where they are tired of a beloved series. I really loved Throne of Glass until I didn't and was really tired of it. At book three I would have said I never would have wanted it to end.

Brian, it's rare for YA to be more than three books. But, given that your book appears to be under 250 pages, you could probably do 5. I see you updated your synopsis and I like it a lot better. The cover is cool!

[Brian]

Bruyere wrote: "It's interesting how one hits a tipping point where they are tired of a beloved series. I really loved Throne of Glass until I didn't and was really tired of it. At book three I would have said I n..."

Thanks Bruyere, I'm taking my writing career seriously and the input I received from goodreads participants helped a lot...as well as the editor and book designer. ;) Its also why I thought of the interactive authorship aspect to my writing. I'm writing blogs to get suggestive ideas that my readers want to see. I'll take good ideas and turn it into a creative reality. What better why to interact with my readers?
Any ideas I use or twist, I'll make a thanks to in my sequel. To see what I mean go visit my author blog page. Its gonna be exciting!

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

L J wrote: "Andre Norton universe is another I think of this way.

Yes and no. The Witch World universe is 1 total series (she closed the gates at the end) but is made up of several different stand alones, trilogies and duologies.

[L J]

MrsJoseph wrote: "L J wrote: "Andre Norton universe is another I think of this way.

Yes and no. The Witch World universe is 1 total series (she closed the gates at the end) but is made up of several different stan..."

I was thinking of her Space Opera with Forerunners and the Guard under whatever name they are using in the time period.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

L J wrote: "I was thinking of her Space Opera with Forerunners and the Guard under whatever name they are using in the time period. "

I haven't re-read this series in over 25 years.... O_O

[Lizzie]

BetterNot wrote: "What about Silver Ships, I had my eyes on that series for a while now, I just noticed that book 10 just came out on Audible.
Does anyone have any opinion about that series?"

I read the first book as a borrow and liked it so much, I bought the next two. Took a break then bought 4-6. I have all but the last book. A couple are not as goid as the others, but I think it is a series worth reading.

[Lizzie]

Laz wrote: "Lizzie wrote: "Is there any series you wish didn't end, but it did? I will forever wish for more Pern novels by Anne McCaffrey (not her son).

However, I have had my fill of Honor Harrington novel..."

I have to laugh at myself because the latest hardcover arrived today. I preordered it awhile ago and forgot about it.

[Lizzie]

L J wrote: " started reading Asimov in the early 1960's. I know it is but don't think of this as a series. It was the Asimov universe in which short stories and books, sometimes related, took place. Andre Norton universe is another I think of this way. ."

I started reading both Asimov and Andre Norton in the 70s and agree that books are in the same universe but there are some in that universe that are the same characters and could be considered a series. I think the difference is that the stories arent an immediate continuation of the next days events, all can stand alone, and we are not forced to suffer cliffhangers.

[Lizzie]

Past a trilogy, or if you end every book with a cliffhanger, I think you should go back to writing school. I am very tired of sci fi books that are all cliffhangers. You will lose me. Write a book that makes me want to order the next one and you will have a fan who preorders and still buys hardcovers. Force me to buy the next one and the one after that to find out the ending and I will never buy anything else by you.

If you are writing a serialized novel, (fyi, space opera does not need to equal soap opera), warn me up front and at least find an endpoint or pause point every 2 to 5 books.

For me, this is the difference. I love a series. I hate serials.

[L J]

Lizzie wrote: "Past a trilogy, or if you end every book with a cliffhanger, I think you should go back to writing school. I am very tired of sci fi books that are all cliffhangers. You will lose me. Write a book ..."

I agree serials and series are not the same thing and description should say if what is being sold is part of a serial. I enjoy series. If item being offered says series instead of serial or gives no indication it is incomplete author goes on my do not buy/read list.
I can't say I hate serials. I love Ilona Andrews' website serial presentation of Innkeeper books before final edit and publication. Currently enjoying Sweep of the Blade which started Dec. 25th 2017 as an unexpected and very welcome gift.

[Lizzie]

L J wrote: "Lizzie wrote: "Past a trilogy, or if you end every book with a cliffhanger, I think you should go back to writing school. I am very tired of sci fi books that are all cliffhangers. You will lose me..."

L.J.
Do you expect it will be forever ongoing, or is there a known number of books? My real issue with them is making sure the whole story is written and how many books ($) to do so?

[L J]

Lizzie wrote: "L J wrote: "Lizzie wrote: "Past a trilogy, or if you end every book with a cliffhanger, I think you should go back to writing school. I am very tired of sci fi books that are all cliffhangers. You ..."

If you are asking about the Innkeeper, each Friday, barring illness, moving, etc., an episode with a full color illustration is posted as book is written. It's a gift for fans. Whole book is on site free for a short period of time then is removed from site prior to release of fully edited, but not color illustrated, book. It takes months for full book to be written and posted. Most of us don't want to wait so we read installment each Friday. Gives new meaning to TGIF. Each book can be read as a stand alone but series is supposed to be I think 4 or 5 books plus the current novella which is a much asked for story about the main character's sister.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

L J wrote: "If you are asking about the Innkeeper, each Friday, barring illness, moving, etc., an episode with a full color illustration is posted as book is written. It's a gift for fans. Whole book is on site free for a short period of time then is removed from site prior to release of fully edited, but not color illustrated, book. It takes months for full book to be written and posted. Most of us don't want to wait so we read installment each Friday. Gives new meaning to TGIF. Each book can be read as a stand alone but series is supposed to be I think 4 or 5 books plus the current novella which is a much asked for story about the main character's sister. "

It is true that Innkeeper is a serial - but she writes it and edits it in series form. Each book has a beginning, middle and - most importantly - an ending. There are no cliffhangers between books and the only dangling plotlines are related to the over-arching plotline of the entire series.

[L J]

MrsJoseph wrote: "...book has a beginning, middle and - most importantly - an ending. There are no cliffhangers between books..."

Well stated. That was my point and why, unlike Lizzie, I can't say I hate serials. An author may reward subscribers by emailing serial form of book in progress and I look forward to each episode. What I object to is being offered an episode in a serial as though it is a book.
Most "unending series" are series not serials but, from what Lizzie said, there are ongoing serials out there as well.