Series Vs. Serials
Series Vs. Serials
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Copyright Dana Rothstein, Dreamstime Stock Photos
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Series
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A Series, in fiction, can be (among other definitions) a set of loosely related books connected by a cast of characters (such as a family [brothers]. Or a group [SEAL Team]). Sometimes a location [city] or an event [the apocalypse] tie the stories together. Often these books can be read in any order. Even better, the reader still understands the premise and hasn’t missed much. For example, secondary characters in the book you might read first are married. But in a previous book in the series, they were the main characters. We enjoyed watching their romance blossom and grow toward impending marriage.
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By this definition The Bride Lottery is the first book in a new series: Prosperity’s Mail Order Brides.
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This series, like my others, will contain loosely connected books that may be read and enjoyed in any order. Each book is a complete romance, and as a romance has a happily-ever-after. Still, the lives of the characters naturally progress. They age. Have more children. Add on to the house. Experience more life. The book has a tidy and intentional finish.
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A reader could enjoy a single title and not miss out on anything; reading enjoyment is typically maximized by picking up multiple books within the series. The loose connections sweeten the experience. It’s almost like a visit with old friends to see familiar characters either before or after their starring role.
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Serials
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Serials are quite different. Episodic in nature, serials can be viewed much like episodes in a favorite TV show. Multiple episodes (each a serial) make up a season (the whole book). Sometimes TV shows run for many seasons.
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If a reader picked up a book in the middle of a series, they missed out on important information. Some details simply can’t be recapped adequately. Expect cliffhangers at the conclusion of each episode. Some problems resolve in an episode but many long-term conflicts remain. The story remains incomplete.
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Because the current generation loyally follows favorite shows on TV, it’s no surprise fiction adopted the model. Some readers want to finish under 2 hours of reading time. Others thrive on a power ending, often a cliffhanger. Still others love picking up again with the next serial in a week or two. More power to them.
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Some types of fiction lend themselves to the serial format. Others do not.
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Personally, I dislike this format in the romance genre, and I promise my series are not serials.
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Invitation
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Please tell me…what is your preference–Series or Serials?
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Updated July 2022
Copyright © 2015 by Kristin Holt LC
Series Vs. Serials
I love series. I love the family or even the town friends connection. I never read serials. I cannot stand not having closure. Because I read so many books, I would lose track of a serial. It would frustrate me and I would not even start one.
I prefer a series but have read serials before and also enjoy them. To me it’s the writing and the charachters that really grab me
Series, yes. Serials, no. I have so much to read that I like a beginning and wrap-up to the story at the end of the book. I don’t mind going back and reading past book to refresh my memory but I don’t always have time to do that.
I like the series better. I can purchase the series of books in one fell swoop (if several have been written) for my Kindle and sit and read them back to back. Or, I buy the first of the series if it’s just been written and follow the author either on FB and/or newsletter and/or website as to when the next in the series is going to be completed.
With a serial, and I’ve only had one experience with a serial, and it was free. But one had to remember when the next segment was coming out. If I didn’t catch the past in Pioneer Hearts, I’d miss that bi-weekly serial segment… But in then end of the serial, I just read the whole thing and I was satisfied. So… What it boils down to, is that I would wait to the end to read the serial. I do not want to have to wait from week to week, or month to month for the next segment…
And then my questions to you, as an author, what would you charge for a serial type stories? How would you get it out to the reader. And lastly, what format would you sell it on, or not sell it on?
Kristen LeHew
I love them both and read both. The only thing I don not like about the serials is when the author takes longer than 6 month to bring out the next one. But I love the cliffhangers.
I like series and prefer to read them in order when possible. I’ve read the westward series by Linda Blindly which all the brides that come to town are mail order brides. 19 books in series so far. I also have read a series by Marie Force thar takes place on an island off Rhode Island and another series by Marie Force which is still on going called the green mountain series.
Thank you for the responses, ladies. I’m glad to know what your personal preferences are.
To answer Kristen LeHew’s questions:
What would I charge for a serial type story? I’ve not written any, but my best recommendation is that the sum of the parts be less than or equal to the whole book (if it’s available). As a reader, I hesitate to pay more than $0.99 for a serial installment of less than 50 pages.
How would I get it out to readers? Through any and all platforms the rest of my books are on… Kindle Unlimited has its advantages… I’d make it known by ever resource available to me (website, newsletter, twitter, FB, other social media).
I hope this brief response adequately covers your questions, Kristen–please feel free to contact me (click on Contact in the menu) for further discussion. I’m happy to help if I can.
I prefer a series.I find them easier to read and it is like you are reading . About people you already know or know about even if it is the secondary or background characters.It is familiar and comfortable to pick one up and just dive on in without a lot of set up.
I’ll be honest here…the only serial I have read and enjoyed were the Harry Potter books. By the last book, I was deeply emotionally invested in the characters. I never could get into the Twilight books (for a lot of reasons and the fact it was a serial is far, far, far down the list of why I don’t like them). However, give me a good series, and I’ll do my best to find and read every last one of them.
Thank you, Lynda and Anne… very insightful, thoughtful comments. Thanks for reading and contributing.