As a reader, I prefer series over single titles, especially in paranormal books. If I like a world, and I like the characters, I want to remain with those people and in that world for as long as possible. It’s the same reason I enjoy movies with sequels – even if the sequels end up being disappointing.
As an author, I prefer writing series for the same reason. Once I’ve built a world, I want to stay in it. I want to hang out with the characters, and I want to dig deep into their lives. I like to keep minor subplots going, but there’s a limit to my patience as both a reader and an author.
There is definitely such a thing as going on too long!
There’s also a danger of taking a series on for so long that readers are intimidated and not sure where to begin – especially when the books are connected by long-running plots and subplots.
In the Sydney Croft ACRO series Stephanie Tyler and I write for Bantam Dell, we’ve kept three minor subplots running through the first three books – one romance, one “mole” subplot, and the storm machine subplot that is the reason for the titles of the first three ACRO books – Riding The Storm, Unleashing The Storm, and Seduced By The Storm.
The next three ACRO books (ACRO stands for the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives,) will be a little more stand-alone than the first three. We do introduce a subplot in the third Storm book that’ll be addressed in the fourth ACRO book, Taming The Fire, but really, we limited the big running plots to the first three books.
In my Demonica series, the books are connected by the setting (an underworld hospital,) and the heroes (three incubus brothers.) There is one subplot introduced in book 1, Pleasure Unbound, that will be addressed – and finalized – in book 2, and there will be a running subplot romance in book 2 and book 3…but since those books are being published back to back in March and April 09, the wait for the story to finish won’t drag on.
Any books after the first three will probably be stand-alones…set in the same world but not connected by subplots.
For some reason, I like the trilogy thing, and anything after that is extra.
What about you? Do you enjoy series? If so, do you prefer knowing there is an end in sight (a set number of books, for example,) or do you like knowing that your favorite series could go on and on?
And thank you, Book Binge ladies, for having me! It’s been a blast!
I love series. As long as the story is good and the characters keep you interested I prefer the series to continue. Which is most of the time. LOL
Ilove series…especially when I discover them after several have been published. That way I can satisfy my instant gratification issues! 🙂
I’m a fan of series. But I often become disinterested when they stretch out for too long. I like to know there is an end in sight.
I need my series to go on. If Robb ever ended her In Death series, I would go into a comma.
Well, if the series did end my pocketbook would be much more heavier. 😛
I really enjoy series, but sometimes I crave a good standalone.
As for having a set number, it depends on the series. I think ones that focus on one character/couple can continue indefinitely, but ones that focus on a group where each individual get a story should stop after a certain number.
Larissa,
Thanks so much for being with us this week.
Great interview! Wow, Larissa really has a lot going on. I love the concept of an underworld hospital!
I definitely see the appeal of a series. Personally, I like trilogies. That way you know the conflict will be resolved within three books.
There are some series that work going longer than 3 books, but I really don’t like dragging out a secondary storyline forever. It’s really discouraging to a reader.
I’m w/ Holly though. Sometimes I just love a good stand alone.
I like the idea of books set in the same universe, whether stand alones or tied to a couple or more books–but it’s all in the execution.
I love Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters books, and I think that most of them can be read alone without the overarching subplot overshadowing the main plot of a particular book–but you can also group the books according to different characters’ storyarcs, with Sam and Alyssa’s being the first one and longest to date, but not by any means the only one.
A different way of having a series is what JD Robb’s does with the In Death series–a core cast of characters in a complex and self consistent universe, with new characters coming and some others leaving.
Thanks for sharing, Larissa!
Oh, wow–looks like series are winners! 🙂
But yes, I do like stand-alones sometimes…seems like they’re getting harder to find, though! Authors are writing more and more connected and series books set in the same world or around the same organization/family/etc.
The bad thing about that is that if I don’t like the first book, I might not be as willing to try the next.
Thanks for stopping by, everyone, and thanks again, Book Binge ladies, for having me!!!
I love reading series. I get to revisit my favorite characters and meet some new characters too. I prefer not knowing when it will end. I think as long as it’s a great series, it can keep going.
I love series, although they’re hell on my wallet (and spare room on my bookshelves). About whether or not there should be a set number, I’m torn. If I love the characters and a world, I don’t want to think it’s ever going to end. Unfortunately, there’s always a point where the series turns sour or simply loses its freshness and/or direction. So far, to the exception of Jim Butcher’s Dresden files, every single long series (more than 4 books) I’ve read has ended up disappointing me, even those I was most passionate about at first. It’s a very sad thing when you realize that series is never again going to bring you the pleasure, or even satisfaction, it once did. I try not to let that spoil the enjoyment I feel in re-reading older books of said series, though.
I like series, but I also appreciate authors who realize they need a clear cut ending. I think of Colleen Gleason when I say that. She’s written a total of 5 books for her Gardella series…and that’s it.
There are series that just go on and on and on (Sherrilyn Kenyon comes to mind). Her books are good, but come on already! And especially when you read her website and find out that Acheron’s book is the end of the first wave (or whatever term she uses) and that there are 2 more waves planned. My head hurts just thinking about it. 🙂
I usually enjoy series that re-introduce couples from the first story and bring them to the next books. It’s a good way of seeing their future without a short epilogue. I think 3 or 4 is a good number to stop at, if the series is the type where the stories need to connect to each other in chronological order. For a series that COULD be read out of order, I guess it’s possible to keep going on and on. It’s just not my preference.
Gosh, series are so addicting! I love looking forward to the next read (but not waiting). I think its because with many series, there’s a ‘world’ that the author creates and it deserves to have many stories told with in it. When there’s other characters, I just don’t want it to end til I know each of them has a HEA! I love now that alot put the series name on the book and makes it easier to find the rest. I do bump into series late and sometimes takes a long time to catch up so I like to read the first in the series then go to the one thats out and go back to read more. Thats happening with Robb’s and Kenyon’s series and a way for me to get into the series. Most make them stand alone. I used to be so obsessed to read all the books in order but I was missing out alot of what was out and enjoy doing it this way too if i can!
Another series fan here, although I would qualify that by saying that it depends on the series.
I am quite happy with trilogies or even slightly longer books as long as the quality of the stories are such that they keep my interest. Sometimes you begin to see the same story over again, and then there are those books in a series which trot out all the characters for their time in the limelight in all the books. And please, no unresolved plots running through a dozen books!
I do prefer finite series, and probably 5 books is enough, but then again two of my favourite series are much longer than that, being the In Death series by J D Robb and the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.
I bought this book, read the first chapter, and I’ll I can say is WOW, it’s HOT! It looks like a fabulous read, and I’m excited to have discovered a new author. I’m waiting for the other two books to come out before reading it, because I like the continuity of reading a series back to back.
By the way, I love series. I’ve recently gotten into paranormal, which is really great when done as a series, i.e., Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Jacquelyn Frank, et al.
Thanks Larissa, for writing what I know will be a great series!