Series numbering questions

[Alex]

Hello, I have a few questions about series numbering:

1) If a series has two stories set in between two primary works (say 1 and 2) and they are of novella length, how are they numbered? I've seen one case where both were 2.5, and I was wondering if that was standard, or if they should be, e.g. 2.1, 2.2.

2) If you know that a short story is placed, chronologically, between two primary books, but there are other short stories in that period that you can't figure out the exact sequence of, what do you do?

3) If a box-set is released that contains both novellas (e.g. 1.5) and primary works (e.g. 1-3) from the same series, how should this be denoted? Is it sufficient to note the primary ones (1-3), or should special mention be made of the novella (1-3, 1.5)?

4) If an omnibus edition, as described in 3 is released as 'volume 1' should a secondary series be made to represent this?

Thank you in advance for your time and attention!

[Z-squared]

Alex wrote: "1) If a series has two stories set in between two primary works (say 1 and 2) and they are of novella length, how are they numbered? I've seen one case where both were 2.5, and I was wondering if that was standard, or if they should be, e.g. 2.1, 2.2."

This hasn't been standardized, to my knowledge. Just as long as they are decimals. Two shorts shouldn't have the same decimal, unless they're the same story (e.g., one novella published twice, once on its own and again in an anthology). If there are two non-identical shorts, then they just need to be two different decimals.

Alex wrote: "2) If you know that a short story is placed, chronologically, between two primary books, but there are other short stories in that period that you can't figure out the exact sequence of, what do you do?"

That one's harder. I'd check the author's website and/or fan wikis and see if it's determinable. Otherwise, you could just make your best guess and leave a note in the series description that you're not sure about the ordering. I'd also leave something in the book description itself that says 'This story takes place between book #1 and #2 in the series."

Alex wrote: "3) If a box-set is released that contains both novellas (e.g. 1.5) and primary works (e.g. 1-3) from the same series, how should this be denoted? Is it sufficient to note the primary ones (1-3), or should special mention be made of the novella (1-3, 1.5)?"

I don't usually include any extra numbering, but again, make it clear in the book description that it includes a novella.

Alex wrote: "4) If an omnibus edition, as described in 3 is released as 'volume 1' should a secondary series be made to represent this?"

Example, please. This sounds suspiciously like a comic book series, but if it's not, I'm not sure what to do.

[Alex]

Thanks for the reply Z!

The specific one I was thinking of that prompted 4 was a boxed-set, actually:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I was editing it earlier today and I saw that it was 'Volume 1' for 'The Bluesman Collection' and I was wondering if I should have also created a 'The Bluesman Collection' series.

And about number 3, I don't think it's that important for users, but I think it would be useful for librarians. If there were both an omnibus with 1-3 and 1 that had an extra novella, librarians that saw the series page would have to investigate to make sure they didn't have the same content and need combining.

[Renske]

Alex wrote: "And about number 3, I don't think it's that important for users, but I think it would be useful for librarians. If there were both an omnibus with 1-3 and 1 that had an extra novella, librarians that saw the series page would have to investigate to make sure they didn't have the same content and need combining. "

For that you can add a librarian note to the book. I think that is even more useful than how it is listed on the series page.

[Alex]

Renske wrote: "For that you can add a librarian note to the book. I think that is even more useful than how it is listed on the series page."

True, that is more useful. Thanks for the suggestion, Renske! :)

[Z-squared]

Alex wrote: "I was editing it earlier today and I saw that it was 'Volume 1' for 'The Bluesman Collection' and I was wondering if I should have also created a 'The Bluesman Collection' series."

Definitely not. Think of 'The Bluesman Collection' as just the name of the omnibus.