I've heard that. I've also heard some readers wait until the series is done before buying and some buy the books as they come out. Whole spectrum of possibilities.
Series Question
Hi,
I think I've read on the forum that some readers don't buy books in a series, until there are at least three in that series.
Could anybody chime in on this?
Thanks much!
I think I've read on the forum that some readers don't buy books in a series, until there are at least three in that series.
Could anybody chime in on this?
Thanks much!
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
I have heard this too. Not sure how true it is but it wouldn't surprise me. My wife is like that. She won't buy a book if it is part of a series until it is done, then she'll begin reading through it. I think it's a control thing -- being able to read at your own pace and not at the pace of the author's releases. She's the same way with TV series. She'll wait until the entire season is finished and then watch it online or Netflix at her own pace. Could be the same idea, not sure.
Personally I'll read whatever is available at the time. It's nice to read a book then, if I liked it, visit an author's website or blog and find out when book #2 is coming but I'm not one of those people who decides if book #2 or #3 isn't out right away that they are not worth my time. I have a day job, as do many writers, and I understand it isn't always easy to put out a new book every 2-3 months.
Pffffffft. And then there are those of us that wait 5 friggin years between GRRMartin's book releases... But maybe fantasy readers are just used to this sort of emotional abuse from writers? Lol
Hahaha I don't blame the poor man. My fiancé introduced me to the series. His exact words were "Read this or we have to break up." So he has been a fan much longer than I have. I've only had to wait for 2 books so far. I can't imagine starting back in 1996!carinasanfey said:My dad first read A Game of Thrones when it came out in 1996. Nineteen years later, he's getting increasingly angry at GRRM and it's no longer safe to mention ASOIAF in his presence...
It's funny because I write series and plan to write more. However as a reader I try to wait until the series is finished, just because I'm a really fast reader and if I like a series I'll read straight through.
It also depends on what type of series. Even the people who generally wait for a series to finish will buy and read a series that isn't finished. A lot of people didn't read Harry Potter or Twilight until the series was finished, but other series simply do not have an end. The Star Wars and Star Trek books. The Anita Blake stuff and Dresden Files. If I know the series is going to be a trilogy or a set of X with a clear end, I wait until it's done. If there is no end in sight, I buy as they are released.
This is a really great point! My books will say "A Vanessa Kensley Novel" on them. So hopefully people will realize that they might as well just start now because who knows if it will ever end.SBJones said:It also depends on what type of series. Even the people who generally wait for a series to finish will buy and read a series that isn't finished. A lot of people didn't read Harry Potter or Twilight until the series was finished, but other series simply do not have an end. The Star Wars and Star Trek books. The Anita Blake stuff and Dresden Files. If I know the series is going to be a trilogy or a set of X with a clear end, I wait until it's done. If there is no end in sight, I buy as they are released.
As a reader, I usually get the books when I want them, and I don't care if the whole series is out or not. As a writer, I didn't notice any change in sales after I completed a series or after the third book was published. I'm sure some people prefer to wait, but probably not many of them.
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I will buy books as and when they come out, but I've also heard the thing about people waiting until a series is finished. Again, as with so many questions, the answer seems to be "it depends."
I have heard authors, on this very forum 
talk about how they will write an installment or two of a series, then abandon it if it is not selling.
So I can see where readers might be wary of jumping into a new series, especially from an indie author.
Personally, I don't usually care, as long as the first book looks good!
talk about how they will write an installment or two of a series, then abandon it if it is not selling. So I can see where readers might be wary of jumping into a new series, especially from an indie author.
Personally, I don't usually care, as long as the first book looks good!
If it says book or episode 1, I generally wait. Especially if it is a shorter work because I assume the book will not have an end.
I don't know if the author will actually write more or get frustrated and quit because they didn't make big sales the first day it was out.
(Yes, I have heard that complaint.)
I don't know if the author will actually write more or get frustrated and quit because they didn't make big sales the first day it was out.
(Yes, I have heard that complaint.)
The series issues raised on this thread and advice I received from KBoarders elsewhere are the reasons I decided to publish the first 3 novels in a 7 book thriller series all at once, then space the remaining 4 books a month apart - AND tell readers upfront in each book when each subsequent book was scheduled for publication. The books are all written, so scheduling them wasn't a problem. All that said, I've found some readers are starting the series at book 3!
I don't wait. BUT, I have waited for tv series to come out on dvd because I passionately hate getting into it and having to wait an entire week for the next episode. I do this as a matter of course now. If I see something good then I watch maybe two episodes, and if it is still good then I wait for the box set.
I really hope my readers don't wait because I'm not sure there is an end! If they keep buying them then I'll just keep writing them... I could end up with twenty books in the series.
I had planned to finish at book three, and it is true that my sales rose significantly when I released book three. But there was a clamour for more, and book four has just as many readers as three and no visible drop off in sales, so hopefully there aren't any people waiting for some finish line!
I really hope my readers don't wait because I'm not sure there is an end! If they keep buying them then I'll just keep writing them... I could end up with twenty books in the series.
I had planned to finish at book three, and it is true that my sales rose significantly when I released book three. But there was a clamour for more, and book four has just as many readers as three and no visible drop off in sales, so hopefully there aren't any people waiting for some finish line!
I just put out book 1 of 3. I have had a couple of sales at about the numbers I expect for a first time author.
I too have read that some readers will not pick up a series with just one book out. I released book 1 with the preorder of book 2. When book 2 goes live I set up the preorder of book 3. Hopefully, this will help curb the fears of someone that waits until more books are out to start book 1. The advantage is I have all 3 books written so without a doubt I can deliver for anyone awaiting the next book.
This might be a strategy for you if you're looking to release a series.
If you are just looking for reader opinion. I do not mind buying book 1 and waiting. My wife devours books and will not start an incomplete series... as others have said, it depends.
I too have read that some readers will not pick up a series with just one book out. I released book 1 with the preorder of book 2. When book 2 goes live I set up the preorder of book 3. Hopefully, this will help curb the fears of someone that waits until more books are out to start book 1. The advantage is I have all 3 books written so without a doubt I can deliver for anyone awaiting the next book.
This might be a strategy for you if you're looking to release a series.
If you are just looking for reader opinion. I do not mind buying book 1 and waiting. My wife devours books and will not start an incomplete series... as others have said, it depends.
I hope there are a lot of readers who are like this...and that they flock to my series next month in droves.
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This is what I do for TV as well. And as a bonus, there aren't any ads either.Evenstar said:I don't wait. BUT, I have waited for tv series to come out on dvd because I passionately hate getting into it and having to wait an entire week for the next episode. I do this as a matter of course now. If I see something good then I watch maybe two episodes, and if it is still good then I wait for the box set.
As for books, I'm one of those that just reads them as they come out.
I feel for your dad. I have been waiting since 2000. The problem with Martin was that the first three books of A Song of Ice and Fire were published between 1996 and 2000, and the fourth book was published in 2005 while the fifth was published in 2011.carinasanfey said:My dad first read A Game of Thrones when it came out in 1996. Nineteen years later, he's getting increasingly angry at GRRM and it's no longer safe to mention ASOIAF in his presence...
Patrick Rothfuss' first book was published in 2007 and his second book in 2011. No publication date set for his third book.
Same thing for Scott Lynch and J.V. Jones among other fantasy authors.
I feel like writers who take a long time to write books in their series take readers for granted. The longer an author takes to write a book increases the likelihood the book will be the best it can be. Memory of Light is a testament that is not necessarily always true.
I have taken the approach similar to Adrian Tchaikovsky did with his Shadows of the Apt series and Michael Sullivan with his Riyria (sp?) spelling. Write at least the first draft of each book in the series before publishing the first book.
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