Novel to Series- why not?

But should you really? If you're writing genre fiction, you should. It just makes practical sense.

I’m a little obsessed with series books these days. For one, I’m revising the manuscript I wrote 6 years ago, the sequel to Best Kept Secrets and I plan to release Mother of Secrets in February 2026.. For two, I have a draft of Daphne Ann Post psychic investigator on pause. Why does it make good sense to write series fiction?

More importantly, how do you know if your book is right for a sequel? It’s not as easy a question as it seems! Traditional publishers may make the decision for you, whether you like it or not. In my case, they said, “No one wants more Morgan Jewell books.” It was a blow to my gut. But for you indie authors out there, the choice is yours to make. And now that I’m an indie author, I decide. I took my rights back from the big house because Morgan Jewell has more of her story to tell.

And hey-o, authors, more books equals more money.

Readers who love your characters will LOVE to see what happens next, or read what else your characters are capable of accomplishing. If they pick up book three and decide they need to find out how your character ended up in such a pickle, they may read other books in your series. Genre fiction is a perfect vehicle for your sequels. Today I want to dive into some different types of series, as well as sharing some darn good reasons to write a sequel.

1. Romance. This is by far the biggest selling genre in fiction and probably always will be. Unless your happy couple finds their HEA (Happily Ever After) in book one, you have a great excuse to keep stringing along your readers-and the couple. Think in terms of the Bridgerton series. Each show drew the couple closer together, and even though they didn’t think they were right for each other at first, I knew. The audience knew. And we all kept watching to find out how they would finally tie the knot.

   The Outlander books are another great example. Though they found their HEA in the first book, Claire and Jamie had many great adventures after their marriage. As did their children. Consider continuing your series with friends and family members from the book. Gabaldon will release book 10 this year!

   Sharon Michalove writes Second Chance Romance with her Global Security Unlimited Series. Subsequent books feature romances between friends of Max and Cress, the stars of the first book. This spin-off style is a great way to keep your readers guessing who will pop up, and who will light someone’s flame in each book.

   My Mina’s Choice series is romantic suspense. I purposely held off their HEA in the first two books. I wanted to stretch their romance and their story over 3 books. I knew one book wasn’t long enough complete their HEA journey.

   Romance is the perfect genre for series books. Even though Jane Austin didn’t write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, hundreds(?) of authors have continued the tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in fan fiction. Add Fan Fiction to your list of great reasons to write a sequel.

   

   The Client (book 1), The Contract (book 2), The Cliff Diver (book 3) by Karissa Knight

2. Amateur sleuth mystery. We all love a small town mystery. And smart characters are fun to read about. My favorite Cozy’s are the Fudge Shop Mystery Series by Christine DeSmet, and The Haunted Library Mysteries by Marilyn Levinson. Of Course, both series have a little romance in them.

   For writers, it sounds quite appealing to create a town and all it’s inhabitants one time. There’s no reinventing the wheel. Just creating new murders for your clever detective to solve. And Cozy mysteries have so much to offer in the way of crafts, cooking, baking, vacation spot, animals. You name it.

3. Police procedure mysteries. Though I’m partial to good female detective stories— perhaps that’s why I write them —there are some really great fictional male detectives too. I binge watched Bosch, read the first Will Trent book then binged the series. My favorite books are Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series. Though each murder mystery is different, Tracy’s past slowly comes unraveled throughout the books. The slow tease is excruciating…in a good way.

   I hope to reveal more of my detective’s past in the next books. Book two is just about ready to send to an editor, and book three is taking shape in my mind. Morgan Jewell suffered from PIT, perpetration induced trauma. It’s a syndrome related to PTSD, however with the former, the patient will have witnessed or participated in a traumatic event. Morgan’s memories began to surface in book one. She’ll learn more about the day her best friend died in book two.

4. There are other ways to draw the suspense throughout a series too. In one of my favorite thriller series, the bad guy continues to evade law enforcement. He keeps returning to cause trouble, murder and mayhem for the main characters. He is impervious to their attempts to capture him. (Hint, hint) What series, you ask? The Sean McPherson Thrillers by Laurie Buchanan. Exquisite!

Yes, I’m obsessed with series books these days. As a writer, having more books on the market equals generating more income. Otherwise, as my husband says, being an author is a very expensive hobby.

Even as I’m writing Morgan Jewell’s next assignment, I’m thinking of the next Daphne Ann Post book. (2027) In between writing and publishing those two series, I’ll publish a stand alone, Safe Keeping. Because some stories are not right for a series.

FOREWARNED is a masterpiece of characterization and tension. Every element of the book—its setting, mood, plot, dialogue, inner thoughts, and beautiful prose—melds into a perfectly orchestrated symphony. Though the protagonist, Daphne Post, was a fifteen-year-old, I completely identified with her, and as her heart was laid bare, so was mine. By the end of the story, I rose to my feet, applauding, in a standing ovation.—Saralyn Richard, Author of the Detective Parrott Mysteries.