Have you noticed the trend towards novel serialisations? A number of publishers and authors are providing readers with an ongoing story, just like television series, where usually novella length episodes are released in short intervals, some monthly, bi-monthly and the like.
The first novel serialisation I read was Ronie Kendig’s Operation Zulu Redemption, and what a brilliant introduction it was! Each episode was jam packed with action, adventure, danger, and ongoing character development which I loved. On a side note, Operation Zulu Redemption will finally be released in paperback this coming July – how good is that?
Lynnette Bonner has released four episodes of her adventurous historical romance serialisation, Sonnets of the Spice Isle, which transport readers to the time of missionary David Livingstone and introduces readers to a handsome sea captain and a determined heiress as the horrors of the African slave trade is revealed.
Have you read a serialised novel? What did you think? What do you like about them?
May 24, 2016 at 3:37 pm
I love this concept, Rel. And yes, Ronie’s Zulu series was one of my first and it got me hooked. I’ve been loving the very clever Harbingers production that is soon to be in its 14th episode, roughly one a month for the past 14 months. Bill Myers, Ange Hunt, Frank Peretti (just left), Alton Gansky and Jeff Gerke. Each has one character and they write one story in a 4-part cycle from their character’s POV.
I love their bite-sized chunks and you can devour the episode in 1-2 sittings as they’re 80-100 pages long.
One thing that’s important is the author(s) be diligent in delivering each episode on a timely basis otherwise you can lose your reader. There’s one author who has just recently released their 3rd instalment now 3-4 months after the previous one which was also 3-4 months after the first. The reader forgets too much of the story in that time.
I hope we see more of them.
May 25, 2016 at 10:28 am
Great insight, Ian, from a serial reader – haha!
May 24, 2016 at 9:44 pm
I have only read one serialization and that one was re-worked from the author’s earliest novels. A two book series became a 6 book serial. It wasn’t my cup of tea. However, that won’t keep me from trying again. I am very interested in Ace Collin’s serial “In The President’s Service”. The main character, Helen Meeker, was introduced in Collin’s book The Yellow Packard, a book I loved. It combines history, mystery, and suspense. I just need to find time to read it!
May 25, 2016 at 10:29 am
Ace is an excellent writer, Beckie, so I’m sure he will be able to pull it off ๐
May 24, 2016 at 11:21 pm
Rel, I’m of two minds about this. As an author, I have many readers who tell me they like the concept of being able to pick up any one of my novels without worrying that they’re missing some of the backstory.
On the other hand, as a reader I enjoy following the exploits of a single protagonist. For example, I’ve read all of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, and I enjoy reading and re-reading Robert B. Parker’s Spenser books.
From an author’s standpoint, I suppose it’s easier to set a scene and a cast of characters that is repeated, but these change as time goes on, so even in a series there’s work for the author.
Thanks for posing the question. I’m anxious to see what your blog readers think. And it would be interesting to see if there’s a difference among readers who like romance and historical vs. those who enjoy action and mysteries.
May 25, 2016 at 3:00 am
I want to address Dr. Mabry’s inquiry about romance/historicals vs. action/mysteries. Although I am drawn to romance, I will read many different genres. As I thought about this, I think I would enjoy reading action, adventure, and mysteries in serialized form much more than a romance or historical. The idea of a cliffhanger like that in episodic T.V. sounds agonizing, but in a fun way. Unfortunately, with Netflix, etc., the thrill of anticipation is lost when, now days, it’s easy to binge-watch any T.V. show. I’ve tried to explain this to my teenage children, but to no avail. ๐
May 25, 2016 at 10:31 am
Great comment, Terrill. I agree, the in the moment, need it now approach is becoming the norm. And not to our credit, I don’t believe.
May 25, 2016 at 10:29 am
Great thoughts, Richard. I agree it’s tricky, and there are readers who are dead set against this idea. Plenty who enjoy it, too!
May 25, 2016 at 2:43 am
Since I’m not a huge fan of novellas, I haven’t ventured into serials. I kind of look at them them in a similar way, although I realize they are continuations. I’m not sure, but I assume that each serialized continuation would have to spend time setting up the current installment with information from the previous one. Although necessary for many readers (especially if it’s been awhile between installments,) I don’t enjoy reading repeated story line. Also, call me frugal, but it Isn’t always cost efficient. Please correct any of my assumptions if they are wrong, because I have been wanting to read Lynnette Bonner’s Sonnets of the Spice Isle series. I’m patient enough to wait until the completed series is released, though. I often do that with a duology or trilogy, as well.
May 25, 2016 at 10:34 am
I think sometime costs looks like an issue but if you add it up, it isn’t in many cases. By the time you get to the end of the serialisation, it’s easily the size of a full length novel, even more, and usually you aren’t paying more than what you would pay for a novel. Of course, that’s a generalisation so I’m sure there are some that are more costly, Terrill.
Also, I think when it is a real serialisation and the author has taken the time to establish that, the stories flow rather than repeating the set up.
May 25, 2016 at 3:10 am
I read Ronie’s Operation Zulu Redemption serial and enjoyed it, but I do NOT like the concept. I got her first installment free and read it, but I waited until the remaining four episodes were released before purchasing them and reading them all back-to-back.
Also, if an author is going to release a serial then it had better be prominently presented as such. One thing I dislike vehemently is to be reading a story that I am enjoying and coming to an abrupt stop, with no resolution and finding out it is continued. If I wasn’t aware that it was a serial from the start that can be enough to make me hesitate to trust that author in the future.
May 25, 2016 at 10:36 am
I completely agree, Chuck – transparency from the author in this regard is a must.
I also know that a lot of authors make it clear, but readers don’t pay attention to what has been made obvious and still complain!!
May 25, 2016 at 4:10 am
Chautona Havig has several serialized novel sets. They are published in individual episodes as well as volumes containing several episodes combined. They are really nice because you don’t feel pressured to read the whole thing at once. Each episode has a title and can almost stand alone, but not quite. They work well with a large casts of characters who are friends of the main characters. I do think it is nice when each episode is combined under one cover for those who do want to wait and read it all at once.
May 25, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thanks for sharing about Chautona’s novels, Sylvia.
May 26, 2016 at 8:45 am
Many years ago, I read The Golden Journey by Agnes Sligh Turnbull. It was first serialized in The Saturday Evening Post. That’s probably 60 years ago now, but I loved that my parents and I read it together. Mama read while Dad and I listened. Because we lived in the the bush of the (then) Belgian Congo, we had to send a runner, weekly, to bring in our mail from a distant town. How we waited for the next magazine, hoping against hope that some postal worker hadn’t decided to keep our magazine for a week or two while he finished reading it himself.
My daughter, Lynnette Bonner, is the first one, since then, that has made a serialized novel interesting to me. And how I’m loving being taken “home” to Africa again through her writing.
In those days, we didn’t expect anything to be prompt or timely, so I guess I’m not the best one to comment. So, to conclude, I’ll offer Amazon’s link to the lovely writing of Agnes Sligh Turnbull, in case someone else would like to read The Golden Journey.
http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Journey-Agnes-Sligh-Turnbull/dp/0395082684/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464215797&sr=1-7&keywords=The+Golden+Journey
May 26, 2016 at 11:20 am
Sylvia Stewart ยป Love this, Sylvia! Thanks for sharing. I think serialisations (in magazines, newspapers, and radio) were much more common decades ago. Glad your lovely daughter is part of their come back!
May 26, 2016 at 11:41 pm
What a fantastic question. I too am reading Lynnette Bonner’s Sonnets of the Spice Isle. I’ve read a serial or two before and while they weren’t my cup of tea, I still enjoyed them. I think for me the biggest thing is how much time passes between episodes being released. Lynnette releases hers monthly which means I haven’t forgotten everything I read. I’ve also found that being smaller, I pay more attention to details than when I just devour a book I’ve been waiting a while (usually a year or more) to receive. 100 pages is an easy one sitting read. And her cliff hangers are good. The episodes have to come out often enough that the story doesn’t have to be repeated in every episode. It has to flow so that if the author does release it as a book the reader won’t get irritated at all the repeats. And don’t drag it out forever. Though we want to spend the rest of our lives with our new hero or heroin, there comes a time when we just want to sit back and say “Wow! That was a great story. Can’t wait for the authors next book”
May 27, 2016 at 5:18 am
Although I read Ronie Kendig’s Zulu serial, I would prefer a full length novel where the plot is resolved in one book. I don’t like having to wait for the release of each serial, because by then I’ve forgotten some of the details of the preceding books.
May 27, 2016 at 11:04 am
I have actually been reading Lynnette Bonner’s series, and loving it!! I’m a big fan of historical accuracy no matter how sad it is, and she’s amazing with it!!
June 4, 2016 at 8:27 am
I am reading Lynnette Bonnerโs series Sonnets of the Spice Isle. I am enjoying the stories; and rather like a “series”. Although I find myself frustrated to have to wait a month or so until the next release to get back into the story. Personally I usually like to obtain the entire series and read away!
Back to the issue of series; I love a story that continues on; I hate being left hanging. If the story is good, it could indeed continue on for quite some time. As long as it doesn’t end up like a soap opera, where everyone dates everyone by the end of the series!!!
June 5, 2016 at 4:35 pm
I am reading the Sonnets of the Spice Isle by Lynnette Bonner and it is my 1st serialized novel. She does a fantastic job of keeping the tension and character development in novella length. In the past I haven’t liked reading books that continue to next in series because I had difficulty remembering lots of details. I like the novella length better and I can’t wait for the next release. Lynnette Bonner is changing my view. Enjoy!
June 15, 2016 at 4:50 am
I absolutely adore serials. I am the type that completely loses myself in a story and I get attached to the characters. Serials allow those minor characters I fall in love with to become major characters and still encounter the major characters I loved from previous stories. It feels like a continuation of the first book I loved. ๐