Paranormal & Urban Fantasy, Monthly Group Reads discussion

Well I would definitely pick up these short stories if they tied in at all to the main story line somehow.


I think all series would make more sense with short stories on the side.

Because in each series (any series worth a damn anyhow) there is always side stories and things going on that the author teases us with and cant elaborate too much on for sake of the main story.. and you get to where you really like those and then thats it. So it would definitely be nice to read more side stories from alot more authors in regards to their main story line.

Though don't go suggesting this to Hamilton, she is a bitch as it is already when it comes to her fans asking for more (heaven forbid we like her stuff and want more)

This is the order as far as I can tell of the Sookie books and each of the short stories related. The only one I would insist on anyone reading, out of the short stories, is "One Word Answer". This story was very necessary and is the only time I felt as though I'd missed something by not reading the story. I do not like this new trend, as most short stories are not as well written as the books.


Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampire) Series

Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
"Fairy Dust" in Powers of Detection
Dancers in the Dark (novella) in Night's Edge Harlequin Enterprises) (a Sookie-universe story without the character of Sookie Stackhouse)
"One Word Answer" in Bite
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
"Tacky" in My Big, Fat Supernatural Wedding (a Sookie-universe story without the character of Sookie Stackhouse)
All Together Dead
"Dracula Night" in Many Bloody Returns
From Dead to Worse
"Gift Wrap" in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
"Lucky" in Unusual Suspects
Dead and Gone

I am not a fan of anthologies. It seems pointless to search out an entire book for one small part while ignoring the rest because the rest pertains to other series that I'm not into or haven't read yet.

I guess I wouldn't mind if the short stories in anthologies were interesting tid-bits but not a big part of the main plot. I was very frustrated when I found out that the confusion I was feeling over link: WW,BC (The Hollows #7) was because there were TWO short stories I needed to read in order to understand what was going on. GGGRRRRRR!

Another favorite series of mine is the Sookie Sackhouse series. I just barely learned I've missed parts of that story too - (btw thanks for the list Kathryn)

As to how to track the short stories - I don't know of a good way but I'll think on it and let you know if I have some brilliant idea.

It seems to me that short stories and novellas in anthologies are purely a marketing ploy on the part of the publisher. I'm not a professional writer and I dont know how it all works, but it kind of seems like the publishers ask/make the writers do these so they can sell the anthology in the hope that you'll then want to buy books by the other, lesser known authors in the anthology. It's all a big ploy to cheat us of our money and I find it irritating in the extreme.

I think if they're going to do that, they need to make the story available in other ways. Maybe make it available on the author's web site after the book has been published for a period of time, or available for sale individually at a (greatly) reduced price.

And if they're not going to do that, then they need to make sure the story isn't essential to the overall storyline. It's not fair to the reader.

Tricia wrote: "Though don't go suggesting this to Hamilton, she is a bitch as it is already when it comes to her fans asking for more (heaven forbid we like her stuff and want more) "

That is SO true! She's a great writer but sometimes her attitude turns me off.

Nichole wrote: "I think if they're going to do that, they need to make the story available in other ways..."

I totally agree with you!

I'm torn on anthologies because while on one hand I like the opportunity to discover new authors I get frustrated when I discover their stories are part of an already established world that won't necessarily make sense in such a small format. At the same time I'm okay if they're part of an established universe if they work as a stand-alone piece for both the first time reader and fans of the series. I think Jeaniene Frost has done this well. In the two anthologies I have with her Weddings From Hell and The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, both stories can be read independently from her Night Huntress series (okay the latter isn't even in the same universe, but you get my point). I think Kenyon is also good for this. I will happily buy anthologies that feature the Dark Hunters, but I know they aren't required, so I haven't worried about seeking them all out.

I'd already bought On the Prowl before Cry Wolf came out, but I can see how annoying it would have been if I'd missed it, as it completely establishes the Alpha & Omega series.

Hi Everyone. I mentioned it in another thread but I wanted to say how much I respect Rachel Caine for sharing her short stories for free. I am only in the middle of her Weather Warden series but there is one short story in between each book and each story is excellent so far. I think she might also have short stories in between each of her Morganville books, which I plan on starting soon.

This is her site and she posts new short stories quite often. She says "I believe in giving things away..."

http://www.rachelcaine.com/Free_Short...

At least for the Weather series, the stories are not necessary, but they are a lot of fun!

She does, indeed, have a few short stories on there for the Morganville series. None are required for an understanding of the series, but they're fun extras. I need to check out her Weather Warden series...

That's another series I didn't know had short stories. Apparently, I'm not doing my homework! I'm going to have to start looking at author's website more often.

It's cool that Rachel Caine offers her short stories for free!

I get a bit brassed off with the side trip that authors take with submitting short stories for anthologies when it's a part of a larger series. I want to read every single part of a series if I start it and get annoyed at having to get a hold of an anthology just to read one story in it. Although I have to admit that I enjoyed Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega series that got its start in the anthology On the Prowl, which in turn led me to Cry Wolf.

I've heard alot of people mention that Briggs' short story should be read before starting the Alpha and Omega series. I normally would not go out of my way to read a short story first but I will for Briggs since I love the Mercy series so much.

Yeah, usually the shorts are optional, but for the Alpha and Omega series, I think the reading is much easier after reading the short.

Agreed new_user - ordinarily I wouldn't bother but the way she packs so much into that short story...it lays some great work for the full length novel. I really like the characters. And then to find out that it's actually Samuel's brother from the Mercy series AND his father's (the Marrok) right hand hatchet man - icing on the cake (although I have to admit, I like Charles more heh). In fact, I want my own Charles LOL

I posted this on the other board so I'll throw it in here too.

Charlaine Harris is releasing A Touch of Dead in October, which will include all short stories related to the Sookie-verse.

Hey, thanks Michelle! I didn't know that.

I heard about it at the publisher's panel at NY Comic Con. I wanted to cry when I didn't win the ARC of the next Sookie book in the raffle they had.

::snifflesniffle::
If I were a courageous person, I would take a ride to their floor in my office building and beg for a copy of my very own, but I'm not THAT ballsy. More's the pity.