Publishing Best Practices for Writing a Book Series
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Writing a book series is hard enough … but publishing that book series? That might be a challenge all its own. It feels like publishing sometimes has a love-hate relationship with series. Publishers want them, then publishers think they’re a big risk, especially for a debut, unproven writer. So how do you approach writing a book series? Read on.
The Market for Writing a Book Series
First of all, you need to determine whether or not you need to be writing a book series to execute your story idea. If it’s an idea that could be a series, then you need to really think about whether you’re writing a book series or whether your idea can fit into one story. Consider this carefully. The truth is, series are indeed risky from a publishing perspective.
There’s truth to the idea that series can generate a substantial amount of cash since you can hook the reader on multiple books. This trend tends to be cyclical as well, with booms in the economy corresponding with writers signing deals for two, three, or even four books at a time. You might notice that plenty of those deals go to first-time authors who are writing a book series. Genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal are especially attractive for series, so if an author has the potential to write a second, third, fourth, or fifth book (or even more!), their pitch is music to the ears of an agent.
In times of economic strain, though, writers find that publishing companies are taking fewer risks. If a debut author is fortunate, they will secure a two-book deal with their first contract. I had a chat with an editor recently who described her house's way of approaching series: they acquire the first book, maybe with a two-book deal or as a single volume, publish it, then observe how it lands in the market. If readers seem to like it, then the book can become a series with a sequel or follow-up. If this works, the house will most likely commit to a trilogy (for a total of three books) or more.
The Flip Side of Writing a Book Series
But if the book doesn’t do well, then it’s more desirable to have a one-book deal and then try another idea, rather than being locked into a lackluster series. Now, the writer and publisher are in a pickle—the editor has potentially lost interest in the project and the publisher has lost money. They have to honor the contract, but you can imagine that they might not do so with a ton of enthusiasm.
Worse, it might be a lot harder for the writer to get a new contract for further work from the publisher, or for them to attract a new house, given that the poor sales numbers are easily available to publishing insiders.
The notion that a publisher will pay more for a series and then do more as book promoters doesn't necessarily hold true these days. Even big books and series can tank badly, and when they do, they can tank hard.
I find the more measured model of writing a book series with one or two titles first, then letting the publisher ask for more, is an especially compelling approach from an intellectual standpoint. It's calculated, it's rational, and it's sensible. Rather than plunging straight into a series, the writer has their first outing to gain traction with, which can lead to follow-up installments that everyone can feel good about.
Writing a Book Series Query
Now, if you’re writing a book series, you need to decide whether you truly require multiple books to tell your story. If you do, the question becomes how to pitch an idea when you’re sending query letters to agents.
Should you disclose that you are writing a book series rather than a standalone? Should you state outright that it’s a series, or merely say that the idea has “series potential”? The latter leaves things open-ended, so you could potentially have that series discussion with an agent down the road, instead of possibly scaring someone off right away with a series pitch.
This isn't great news for the fantasy, paranormal or sci-fi author writing a book series that spans seven novels. The truth is, agents and publishers might be scared off when you say that you need such a heavy commitment to carry out your idea.
When visualizing your book idea in all of its scintillating, multiple-book brilliance, writers—even if they are intent on writing a series—should aim to make the first book a self-contained, full story, rather than a mere introduction to future books you have planned. (This is very different when you’re self publishing, because there, series and cliffhangers tend to perform well.)
The First Installment Is Crucial When Writing a Series
If you present an agent with a manuscript that mainly consists of set-up and background information, with a resolution left for a future installment, it won't be successful on its own. For a manuscript to be a great series opener, there must be a vivid and engaging plot, memorable character development, a climax, and a resolution—even if you have your sights set on writing a series. Why not put all your best effort into this first book?
Don't keep the best material for Book Six—you may never make it there, depending on the fate of your earlier book (or books) when writing a series. Even if the market can only accommodate your first book, you can still be proud that you wrote an amazing story.
I'd also caution aspiring, unpublished writers from writing a book series in its entirety before pitching the first manuscript. Approach the rest of your manuscripts with caution when writing a series if you are doing it without a) an agent, or a b) a publishing deal for the first book(s). The most heartbreaking thing to see is seven completed series manuscripts that have been shelved because the author got so excited to be writing a series but didn’t manage to sell the first installment.
I’m a fan of hedging my bets and working smarter, not harder, so this seems like a reasonable pitch and attitude when you’re writing a series: “This project has excellent series potential but the story in this manuscript is unique and independent!” Obviously, this should also be true. If you require multiple books, you have no choice but to say so explicitly.
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