Writing Serial Series: Pros & Cons

Last year, I had a crazy idea to write a serial series. I’d written trilogies before (3 books following the same characters/storyline. The Twin Flames Trilogy and The Hallowed Realms Trilogy) I’d also written a series before. (Stand-alone books written in the same universe/world, but with different characters. The Later in Life Series: Doppelganger, Must Love Coffee, Taking Stalk.)

But this was the first time I was attempting a five-part, rapid-release serial series, (meaning you have to read the books in order for the story to make sense.) I’m halfway done with the series and this is what I’ve learned so far about it.

The Pros:

• You can live in the same character head space for longer
• You can give your story time to grow
• You have a steady release schedule to follow

The Cons

• You have to live in the same character head space for longer
• You have to give your story time to grow
• You have a steady release schedule to follow (like it or not)

In short, writing serials are both fun and frustrating. Most of the income you will make on a series won’t happen until the series is done because readers like to binge content. Even waiting a few months for a release is too much for many readers. So, if you’re thinking of starting a series, focus your energy on getting the content done. All of it. Then, you can think about trying to make money on it. Ha.

To hear more about this, you can check out the podcast I did with author, Sherri Hayes on our podcast, Bound By Books, below.

Danielle/Dani Bannister, author and pro and con list maker

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