You have introduced an interesting topic, Kay. I have but a single series to my credit, and it did not start out as one. The narrative simply kept writing itself, until I realized it had formed a trilogy. Then I found a small publisher, who insisted on making it a tetralogy (i.e., dividing the material of volumes two and three into three parts).
I think stand-alones are always better than works that serve merely to set up the next volume. If the readers truly enjoy a stand-alone, they will probably be interested in purchasing the sequel, but the erosion of "read-through" numbers is otherwise well documented, also.
There is nothing worse than reading a story that should have ended long ago, but a writer keeps writing it… the same thing with movie sequels. It could be that it is hard to come up with something new. Some series do well, even when the continuing story is not what it should be, but it's because the reader falls in love with the characters early on, and they have a hard time giving up on it. You are correct many series do not do well, but some do. You can go to Publisher Rocket and find them; and it you don't have to reinvent the wheel, it is worth exploring. Thank you for sharing, Lenny.
You have introduced an interesting topic, Kay. I have but a single series to my credit, and it did not start out as one. The narrative simply kept writing itself, until I realized it had formed a trilogy. Then I found a small publisher, who insisted on making it a tetralogy (i.e., dividing the material of volumes two and three into three parts).
I think stand-alones are always better than works that serve merely to set up the next volume. If the readers truly enjoy a stand-alone, they will probably be interested in purchasing the sequel, but the erosion of "read-through" numbers is otherwise well documented, also.
I look forward to reading other comments.
There is nothing worse than reading a story that should have ended long ago, but a writer keeps writing it… the same thing with movie sequels. It could be that it is hard to come up with something new. Some series do well, even when the continuing story is not what it should be, but it's because the reader falls in love with the characters early on, and they have a hard time giving up on it. You are correct many series do not do well, but some do. You can go to Publisher Rocket and find them; and it you don't have to reinvent the wheel, it is worth exploring. Thank you for sharing, Lenny.