[answered] Creation of New Series with only one book published

[Camille]

I'm not sure where to put this question...

I have seen some librarians tell authors that the series will not be created until two books are available and I have seen some librarians go ahead and fulfill the request with just one book.

Can we get clarification on whether or not librarians should create a new series when only one book is published?

And can this be added/clarified in the Manual?

Thanks!

[lethe]

+1

[lethe]

Maybe you could put 'Attn Jaclyn' in the topic title, to make sure she sees it.

[L J]

+1

[Leilin]

That'd be great to have this clarified!

I personally value being able to see if a book is expected to be part of a series or not, as a reader, and would assume that other readers too - as a result, I would find useful to allow series to be created for 1 book as long as the author can confirm that it will have the requirements to be one (common world, characters, etc.)

[Tami]

I would also like some clarification/updated ruling from staff as recently, I've seen some librarians telling authors that they can't create a series with only one book and saying it is Goodreads' policy when this isn't true. Rivka had already said that we could create a series with only one book if enough is known about the series:

"Is it possible to create a GoodReads series with one published book, or is it only possible once a second one has been released?"

Rivka: "It is possible, but only if enough is known about the series. As the author, I would expect you to be able to tell us if the books will have common characters, etc."

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I personally find series pages useful even if only one book has been released. If the author doesn't follow through this is no big deal, we have a delete button for a reason. I don't think it's productive to delete a one book series if it's going to have to be recreated later on when book 2 is added.

[Emily]

I do not think current policy should be changed. I agree with Tami (and Rivka).
It doesn't hurt anything to have the series page as long as we know what the books have in common to make it a series before creating it. Should the book not be published the series can just be removed if it is pointed out.

[L J]

Like Emily I agree with Tami and Rivka.

It's helpful to readers to have series information when available rather than waiting for second book to be published.

[Camille]

I agree with you all that we should be able to create a series with one book.

Librarians who will not create a series keep referring to a GR policy that does not exist. It is probably frustrating for authors to see some new series requests fulfilled while theirs is not. Yes, Rivka has said it is ok, but that information is buried in a conversation between the author and Rivka.

I have added "Attn Jaclyn" in an attempt to get more visibility to this issue.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Camille wrote: "I agree with you all that we should be able to create a series with one book.

Librarians who will not create a series keep referring to a GR policy that does not exist. It is probably frustrating..."

Well, no. I don't do many series requests (& while the librarian rankings aren't working I'm not doing many edits at all) & I don't do one where there is only one book, since GR has specific requirements for a series. The author may think s/he is going to be doing it to GR specs, but may change their mind.

I just think a two book series isn't an unreasonable minimum. The author can always put "part of my forthcoming series" in the book description.

[lethe]

Friendly bump.

ETA Maybe put it under 'Questions' instead? The thread is not visible on the homepage.

[annob [on hiatus]]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "... I just think a two book series isn't an unreasonable minimum.."

100% agree with Carol.

My main agrument for an update of policy is the ease which Librarians can ignore the need to investigate if the first book meet the series critera or not. With only one book added, it's near impossible for staff and other members to know if the GR series has been created per policy (shared universe, shared characters across books), or against policy (shared theme only, standalone books marketed as a series or collection on other websites).

[Emily]

You can still put Poosie (Kittens of the Planet #1) in my opinion, regardless if you decide to actually create the series or not.

[Scott]

I would be very disappointed if that wasn't a series.

[Camille]

Ummm....

Is there a way to move the whole thread to another folder or do I need to re-ask the request and link to this conversation?

[Tami]

This is only possible when on the desktop site:

1. Click the (edit) button above & to the right of this discussion heading
2. Change the FOLDER to: Questions
3. Save

[Camille]

Thanks! Discussion has been moved.

[Jaclyn, Librarian Program Manager]

Hi all! I discussed this with the team and we agree that it's fine to add a single book to a series, if more books are expected to be added.

[lethe]

Thanks, Jaclyn.

[Sandra]

Thanks very much Jaclyn :)

[L J]

From me as GR Librarian.
Thank you, Jaclyn

From me as a series reader.
Yay! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[Dobby]

Excellent! Thanks, Jaclyn!

[Tami]

Thank you, Jaclyn!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Thank you for the decision Jaclyn. I'll continue to leave that side of Librarian work to other librarians.

[Camille]

Thank you for the clarification!!! Will this be added to the Librarian Manual?

[Jaclyn, Librarian Program Manager]

I'll make a note to add it 😊

[Camille]

Thank you!!!

[Jaclyn, Librarian Program Manager]

Have added, and announced.

[Tami]

Awesome. Thank you!

[Camille]

Thank you!!!