You and I love the same series! Neither of my series started out as such. Both Detective Parrott and Quinn McFarland were "brought back by popular demand," and it was my pleasure to accommodate.
I could see Saving Myles as a series. Take that kid places! Make him a rock star investigator.
The thing is follow-up books all point back to the first book in a good way - meaning more readers, and more author dollars for you. That's why publishers love series books too. Food for thought. 🙂
I love reading (and now writing) book series. You list so many great choices, many of which I've read and look forward to the next installment. In addition to those you mentioned, I really enjoy laughing at the antics in each of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. My affection for the JD Robb (Nora Roberts) IN DEATH police procedurals hasn't waned either--that's after 62 full-length books and a quite a few novellas. It's tricky keeping a series going for even one quarter of that length, but if you do it right, you'll have a loyal fan base AND SALES!!
I'd be interested to hear what types of stories you think DON'T lend themselves to a series. Thanks for the musings - sequels do seem to make sense in many cases and you've done a good job of analyzing those.
Hi Maggie! Thanks for the question. In Romance, obviously when the HEA is reached by the end of the book. But in psychological thriller, like you and I both write, I've read so many books that really don't need to be continued. Some amateur sleuths solve the mystery and have a kind of HEA, or happy for now ending. Historical fiction, I see the same thing. Unless you've created a compelling detective or sleuth or someone like John McLain in the Die Hard. Though he was a police officer. Random examples of standalones that I can think of: Mexican Gothic, Quarry Girls, Litani, your book, Blind Spot and The Cicada Tree by Robert Gwaltney. Is that helpful?
yep - thanks. Although I had considered whether to send Lily off to college and have her get involved with a murder investigation where her mother, Rachel, visits and gets pulled in due to her legal expertise
Tracey — Like you, I love reading and writing book series. I become invested, and I want more, more, more! As in the Mina's Choice series.
Also, thank you for the shout-out!
Any time! And thank you!
You and I love the same series! Neither of my series started out as such. Both Detective Parrott and Quinn McFarland were "brought back by popular demand," and it was my pleasure to accommodate.
Another great reason to write a sequel!
Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking it coold have a sequel. But I would have to find another publisher, or I'd have to get my rights back.
An interesting take on series. IO've avoided them, but maybe that is a mistake.
I could see Saving Myles as a series. Take that kid places! Make him a rock star investigator.
The thing is follow-up books all point back to the first book in a good way - meaning more readers, and more author dollars for you. That's why publishers love series books too. Food for thought. 🙂
I love reading (and now writing) book series. You list so many great choices, many of which I've read and look forward to the next installment. In addition to those you mentioned, I really enjoy laughing at the antics in each of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. My affection for the JD Robb (Nora Roberts) IN DEATH police procedurals hasn't waned either--that's after 62 full-length books and a quite a few novellas. It's tricky keeping a series going for even one quarter of that length, but if you do it right, you'll have a loyal fan base AND SALES!!
Think of that - 62 books! Clearly Nora Roberts is "doing it right!" Thanks Val!
I'd be interested to hear what types of stories you think DON'T lend themselves to a series. Thanks for the musings - sequels do seem to make sense in many cases and you've done a good job of analyzing those.
Hi Maggie! Thanks for the question. In Romance, obviously when the HEA is reached by the end of the book. But in psychological thriller, like you and I both write, I've read so many books that really don't need to be continued. Some amateur sleuths solve the mystery and have a kind of HEA, or happy for now ending. Historical fiction, I see the same thing. Unless you've created a compelling detective or sleuth or someone like John McLain in the Die Hard. Though he was a police officer. Random examples of standalones that I can think of: Mexican Gothic, Quarry Girls, Litani, your book, Blind Spot and The Cicada Tree by Robert Gwaltney. Is that helpful?
yep - thanks. Although I had considered whether to send Lily off to college and have her get involved with a murder investigation where her mother, Rachel, visits and gets pulled in due to her legal expertise
I might have been thinking about your first book as a stand alone. Because it sounds like you have a sequel in the works! 😃