There is an increasing trend amongst publishers to introduce a debut author by providing a free e-novella linked to the debut novel, prior to the full length novel releasing. Jen Turano and Melissa Jagears come to mind with their free e-novellas, Gentleman of Her Dreams and ย Love by the Letter, respectively. Lynne Gentry is releasing three novellas to complement her time travel Carthage Chronicles, the first being A Perfect Fit at under a couple of dollars.
Personally, I think it is a brilliant idea – a way to sample a new writer to see if you like their style before shelling out hard earned cash! However, I saw a review where the reader slammed the idea as “trickery” to entice readers in! Not sure how a free read forces anyone into buying another book but each to their own!
So, what do you think?
Would you like to see more free or low priced e-novellas introducing new authors or series?
April 22, 2014 at 10:06 am
My take on this one is that e-novellas are a useful marketing tool in our very digital world. These are the things that are available to us now and authors would be well-advised to use everything at their disposal, I would imagine.
As for the claim it is trickery, perhaps publishers could make it clearer that the novella is a taster for what is to come, but I don’t feel like it’s a deal breaker.
April 22, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Tracy ยป The marketing of the novella is key, Tracy, for sure. My experience has been that is clear that the novella is linked to the full length novel which supports your thoughts ๐
April 22, 2014 at 10:33 am
Personally i think it is a great idea and i enjoyed Love by the Letter.Like you said it is a good way to see if you like that writers style.Im looking forward to reading more by Melissa Jagears . As long as the e-novella is clearly identified as a preview of the novel to follow,there should be no confusion.
April 22, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Ingrid Kimbrell ยป Hi Ingrid – agree with you on Love by the Letter ๐
April 22, 2014 at 11:14 am
With all due respect to the authors of novellas.
To be honest, I am not fond of them. As a reader, I tend to like a story with a deeply explored and thoroughly developed plot.
April 22, 2014 at 8:07 pm
Ganise ยป Yes, Ganise, I agree a full length novel is the only way to truly develop the characters and storyline but as a way to discover if you like a new author, I think a little taste is a great way to go.
April 22, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Great point, Rel. For me, character and plot developments are some of the major elements that will determine whether I like the author’s writing style or not. Which is why I prefer going with full-length novels. (But, I confess, I’ve not been reading as much lately… :\) I would not discourage anyone if they wanted to go for novellas, though ๐
April 22, 2014 at 3:23 pm
I am all for the e-novellas! I think it is a brilliant way to get readers excited about new authors! In both the cases of Jen and Melissa I already wanted to read their debuts and reading their novellas just made me through the roof excited about the novels since they were so good. I really don’t think it could be called trickery since it seems to always be very clear that they are just prequels. It’s kinda like when you get a food sample at a store, you are in no way obligated to buy what you tried but if you like it then you’ve found something new to enjoy! Great question!
April 22, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Abbi Hart ยป Exactly, Abbi, I totally agree. No one can force you to click buy ๐
April 22, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I also think it is a great way to promote authors and their upcoming works. However, since several publishers are now offering novella collections, I wish they would package several of these prequel type novellas with one or two by top selling authors. Most are doing related novellas for the collections, but I think a collection of these type of novellas anchored by a big name author would sell also, especially if offered at a promotional, rock-bottom price. That way these novellas could reach more than just those who read ebooks.
April 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Aaron McCarver ยป Interesting thoughts, Aaron, I agree it would be great to see them in paperback ๐
April 22, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Rel
This is a great question. I’m a big fan of novellas. I think they are a great option for whetting the readers appetite with new material, eg, try a new author, material to deliver to hardcore readers between novels, insights into minor characters.
I think they will be an important part of an author’s arsenal especially those of us who haven’t cracked the formula for producing a new novel every 6 to 12 months or so.
April 22, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Ian ยป We are of the same mind on this one, Ian!
April 22, 2014 at 9:52 pm
I generally don’t read novellas. But if I find a book’s premise interesting and know it is an author I would like to read, and it is free, well then it is a no-brainer. With all the books out there to choose from, publishers/authors have to make their books stand out. And though there may be a few naysayers, this marketing strategy seems to work.
My book club read The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury a few years ago. When the prequel was published as an ebook, most of my group was excited. They wanted a little more of the story.
April 22, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Yes! Please! I love it. As long as it’s a freebie. Then I get hooked and want more and understand I will have to pay for it but then it’s ok ’cause I’m sure I’ll love it.
I loved Love by the Letter. Totally hooked me. I can’t wait for the new book.
April 23, 2014 at 12:56 pm
I just recently joined the ebook world, so I can’t really say. I’ve enjoyed the authors you have mentioned and have wondered about their ebook novellas. I think it is a good introductory tool in all honesty. It may not reach everyone, for those who want to stick to bound books, but the deal of a free/inexpensive story is hard to pass up. I do like the idea of novellas, because it gives a taste of the writing style and if you would click with it, bound or ebooks.
April 23, 2014 at 7:56 pm
I’ve only recently started reading novellas with the “Year of Weddings” series. I’m still a little uncertain about them in general. Like Ganise, their length doesn’t quite work for me in terms of plot and character development.
For me, a novella wouldn’t make much difference in terms of trying a debut author. If it was free, I might download it if it was a book I was interested in anyway, if I had to pay for it I wouldn’t as I’d just wait for the book to be released and download the “sample chapter” and use that to decide whether to purchase the whole thing.
Though a novella released a few months to the full-length novel would contribute more to building up some “buzz” around the release that the sample chapter doesn’t ๐