SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Do you think a series can be to long and should stop. I am into a series and now am writing the 10th book. But each book is a stand-alone novel and just refers to a rare planet and unusual production of a birth of a shifter. I am wondering if I should change and get the series into smaller groups. Appreciate opinions. M. Garnet - Author

I don't think so, no. If a reader grows tired of a series then they don't have to continue reading it.

What do you mean by smaller groups?

Ryan wrote: "I don't think so, no. If a reader grows tired of a series then they don't have to continue reading it.

What do you mean by smaller groups?"

I don't understand 'smaller groups' either

M. wrote: "Do you think a series can be to long and should stop. I am into a series and now am writing the 10th book. But each book is a stand-alone novel and just refers to a rare planet and unusual producti..."

As long as people are reading it, carry on
You say each book is a standalone. Is your series made up of different stories on the same planet, or separate stories about the same character(s), or is there an overarching story?
The first two, I think can go on for ever. In the third, it can go on until the overarching story is finished. My fantasy series has an overarching plot, but each book can be read separately, and the immediate problems are resolved, but the overarching plot does not come until at least book 5.

And you can continue with other stories about the setting and people, as well as back stories, as in Dragonlance, where the main story ended, but then a number of prequels were released, as well as stories of the history of the place.

V.M. wrote: "And you can continue with other stories about the setting and people, as well as back stories, as in Dragonlance, where the main story ended, but then a number of prequels were released, as well as..."

V.M. wrote: "And you can continue with other stories about the setting and people, as well as back stories, as in Dragonlance, where the main story ended, but then a number of prequels were released, as well as..." Well I thought maybe I needed to change the titles and not make a reference to the previous series.

V.M. wrote: "And you can continue with other stories about the setting and people, as well as back stories, as in Dragonlance, where the main story ended, but then a number of prequels were released, as well as..."

Ryan wrote: "I don't think so, no. If a reader grows tired of a series then they don't have to continue reading it.

What do you mean by smaller groups?"

M. wrote: "V.M. wrote: "And you can continue with other stories about the setting and people, as well as back stories, as in Dragonlance, where the main story ended, but then a number of prequels were release..."

If people are enjoying the series, then I think you should keep the series title so they know it's the same.

There is a large void of information here. This question might be better suited for one of your beta readers.

Can a series be too long? Yes. But, it can also be too short. I've read at least 10 books on the Cosmere by Brandon Sanderson and I am still interested.

Writing your 10th book, do you feel that you have carried it on for too long?

Well that is my problem. My books in the series are selling and I love this SciFi group and still feel I can write a lot more about these people. My lastest which will be out late this summer is a change in the series as this hero is not a nice guy going out to help people. He is a nasty whisky drinking, cussing guy who helps someone who just gets in the way. M. Garnet - Author

Whether it's selling or not, if you still love it and believe you can write a lot more then just keep going. If your not writing about something that you love or is keeping your own interest, then readers will pick up on that. Keep going until you no longer feel that spark don't worry about the length.

Thanks Andres, I do love this series and these different heros especially the new troubled rogue. Muriel (M. Garnet - Author)

I'm reading one series that's ending with #12, and two other ongoing series that are at 12 and 15 books. There's another one, that I'm way behind on, that's at 21. Long series are terrific.

Keep writing your series for as long as you have stories to tell.

I agree. The 21st Sharpe book by Bernard Cornwell is coming out the end of this year, and I'm thrilled!

Michelle wrote: "I agree. The 21st Sharpe book by Bernard Cornwell is coming out the end of this year, and I'm thrilled!"

Me too, fabulous news. I wonder if it's the prequel I asked him to do on his website - where 16yo Sharpe joins the army and meets Hakeswill.

That would be something, Adrian! Although I thoroughly enjoy the Sharpe/Patrick duo, and they wouldn't be in the prequel.

Sharpe v Hakeswill is pretty good though. And Bernard always lamented killing off Hakeswill. It's why he created Ducos.

I was never happier to see a character's demise as Hakeswill's :). But this proves the point. 21 books make a very long series, and we certainly didn't object!

I have divided my kind of long series (9 books and a standalone) into three sub-series, and they each have their own flavor. Harbingers, the main series, is YA/NA-flavored. Stormclouds, the prequel series, is a whole lot darker and grittier. Betwixt&Between, which follows some of the secondary characters, and the standalone novel, are pretty dark and gritty too. I don't know whether that works. Would be interested to hear if anyone else segmented a series this way.

Just in general, from a marketing perspective: if the first book in the series is generally considered the weakest (e.g. debut author, not as experienced) then the author should definitely start a new series! Otherwise, new readers will always start with the author's worst book and might easily bounce off or feel meh about continuing.

In addition, many readers wait until a series is finished before starting it since they prefer binge-reading whole series - if the author keeps continuing the same series, they'll never reach this kind of reader.

But on the other hand, if each book is standalone, then I think both of these factors are less of an issue.