Why you should write a series
Do you write a series? It’s one of the best ways to intrigue your reader and get him/her to buy your next book. A familiar world with interesting characters is like the TV series Cheers. Everyone knows your name, and it’s a place they can hang out.
Why should you write a series? Two words: Read through. If they love book one, they’ll read book two, and so on until the end of the series. If you rapid release (stockpile written books and release them at close intervals), you can whet their appetite for the next installment without waiting a year or more between (in which time they might lose interest). With the release of book three, books one and two get a bump in sales, and so on.
Marketing a series is easier as well. You don’t have to sell your reader on a new concept because they’re already familiar with the world. You can choose to sell the new book at .99¢, leaving the previous books at regular price. Or price book one at 99¢ or perma-free as an enticement to buy more books in the series. And once you have three or more books in a series written, you can combine them as a set. Instead of three books at $3.99 each, sell a set for $9.99.
Writing a series is easier for you. You know the characters. You know the world. With each new book, you don’t have to start from scratch, inventing new characters with complete histories. Just give him a new challenge. Throw him into hot water in an old pot and dish him up to your readers.
Series on my bookshelves:
The Bosch Series by Michael Connelly LA Detective Harry Bosch has solved homicides and investigated cold crimes for over twenty years. Do I tire of him? Not one bit.
The Mitford Series –Father Tim’s slow paced life in the small town of Mitford is always a welcome retreat. Visiting is like sitting down at a friend’s kitchen table and catching up with old friends.
Harry Potter–I remember standing in line at bookstores with my children to buy the latest installment. For The Goblet of Fire, I think we bought two copies, one for me, and one for my daughter to read. Who wouldn’t want that kind of loyalty?
The Little House on the Prairie Series- I read them as a little girl, I read them to my daughter, and I’m still reading them.
The Harry Dresden Files by Jim Butcher–Harry, wizard and private eye, is always in trouble. I love to visit his world and find out how he’ll get out of his latest misadventure.
What series do you love to read?
Why aren’t you writing your own?
In next month’s #AuthorToolboxBlogHop, I’ll write about HOW to write a series. Please join me April 17, 2019.
This blog is part of #AuthorToolboxBlogHop, a monthly event featuring resources for authors. Each month, we share our writing tips. To follow other authors or join, visit RaimeyGallant or follow the #AuthorToolboxBlogHop hashtag on Twitter.
by 
I always write in series and I love reading series. Almost every book on my keeper shelf is part of a series. You’re right about the sell-through also. I try to get a three book series to my publisher every year.
I love a series, because it means I don’t have to let go of the characters I become attached to after one book 🙂 One of my planned works is a trilogy, and the other was going to be stand alone, but lets face it, it probably won’t be because I love the characters!
I think a series is on the horizon for me. I’m waiting to see how a few things play out. 🙂 Great post, Cheryl!
I love reading a series … and that’s why I’ll miss the April Author Toolbox. Instead, I’m taking my daughter to Melbourne and we’re going to the Harry Potter stage play 🙂 🙂 🙂
I do envision my current WIP as a series, because I love them myself. Current series faves include (but definitely not limited to):
JH Moncrieff’s City of Ghosts series
Alexandra Sokoloff’s Huntress/FBI series
Chuck Wendig’s Miriam Black series