Cliffhangers, Series, and Collections

Posted

in

, , , , , ,

by

Gianna Thomas

When I first started out with a publisher, it was suggested that I produce a series with a cliff hanger at the end of each book and wrap everything up in the final one of that series. Being new at writing fiction—having written several health books and ghostwritten articles dealing with non-fiction, this series was a challenge. And I do find that I love cliffhangers. However, I’m not sure that I would do another one in this manner as I personally like knowing what happens fairly quickly.

I was fortunate that, in spite of my lack of experience, I still got good reviews for the most part. I was grateful as I was still learning this craft of writing romantic fiction.

However, because there was a time lapse between books, at the beginning of the rest of the books in the series, I did repeats of the last information—the cliffhangers— at the beginning of the next books . Although these introductions were reworded or from another POV so readers would not have to reread the prior book, they did not sit well with some of the readers.

So, I decided not to do that type of format in the future. In fact, I am considering completely reworking the Four Lord’s Collection which contains all four books basically as they were originally written. Will keep you all posted as to what I do with it and will also put it on sale when it’s first released possibly near the beginning of 2024.

All series in the future will be available as single purchases as well as complete books available in one volume. The Darcy Vs Series is comprised of four complete books

  1. Darcy Vs Bingley
  2. Darcy Vs Lady Catherine
  3. Darcy Vs Elizabeth
  4. Darcy Vs Wickham

Do I still like cliffhangers? I love cliffhangers and indulge in them at the ends of chapters instead of the ends of books.

And I’ve found that between COVID and a hospital stay that I’m still recovering from, that it’s taking a while to pull my life together. For those reasons I’m doing what I feel up to without changing my entire life to deal with circumstances. The drunk driver that destroyed my car has created numerous problems for me and my daughter.

I’m still working on EBBD and hope to finish it early in 2024. This will be a single book and probably will not find its way into a collection. I also have several other plots that could make up different series and am considering where I’m headed when EBBD is published. Will keep you all posted.

I have roughly 70 possible plots for P&P’s, so I’m not lacking for ideas. However, I might have trouble deciding what I do want to write next after EBBD. 🙂

In the meantime, please comment and let me know whether you like reading singles or series (collections) and what you think of cliffhangers. Also let me know what you like best about Pride and Prejudice variations. I am looking for information that will help me more as to what readers prefer.

BTW The Darcy Vs Collection is still available at half price through the end of December.

11 responses to “Cliffhangers, Series, and Collections”

  1. Glynis Avatar
    Glynis

    I like a series better if they are all available together and each of a reasonable length. Or at least not too far apart. I’m not a fan of one story split into several books with around 100 pages or less and won’t buy them.
    I prefer stories now which have Darcy and Elizabeth together early and where Elizabeth doesn’t believe Wickham! I’m certainly not a fan of her saying his story is credible until Darcy contradicts it but then not informing Darcy to give him a chance. I also prefer to have at least a few chapters of ‘happy ever after’ at the end as well as an epilogue. Fussy aren’t I? 🙂

    Reply
    1. Regina Jeffers Avatar
      Regina Jeffers

      I agree with you, Glynis, about splitting a story into parts. I never buy them. As to how you love your epilogues, I fondly wrote one especially for you and gave you top billing. LOL!

      Reply
    2. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      I agree, Glynis. If I do read a continuous series, I don’t want to wait months for each part of it. Life can get in the way, and the series could stretch out longer than the author intended.

      And I love epilogues that put a finishing touch on a good story. Books that just end are disappointing. That’s also another reason I won’t write a series in the same manner as the Four Lords.

      Reply
  2. Regina Jeffers Avatar
    Regina Jeffers

    I have an eight-books Regency series, and I purposely made the choice of having overlapping scenes told from a different person’s POV (not the whole book, but strategic scenes), for one never knows when a reader will join the series. This was for a traditional publisher, and I have never heard of ending with a cliff hanger. That would make me anger, not knowing how the story ended.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      Another reason, Regina, why I won’t write a series that is the continuation of just one story. I was fortunate that the series did fairly well in spite of the way it was written.

      Reply
  3. mustangtiger Avatar
    mustangtiger

    Cliffhangers in the midst of the book is ok but not at the end of the book unless the next book is ready to be published. When stories leave me hanging (or the possibility of it) I would rather wait until they are all out before reading this way I dont have to go back & refresh my memory about all the little details. Having a series or collection of books is ok. What is tough is short books that want almost full book price, that is very hard to swallow but if they are then moved into a collection book then I am more willing to do that. ~ Glory

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      I agree. That’s why I did the ‘Darcy Vs Collection’ with four complete books and priced each at a reasonable amount according to length. Readers can pay a small amount to see if they like one of the books or read it in Kindle Unlimited until they decide if they would like the collection in their library or not. Paying $6 or $7 for a short book doesn’t fit my budget either. 🙂

      Reply
  4. cindie snyder Avatar
    cindie snyder

    Cliffhangers are fun! I love reading a series like that because then you look forward to what happens next! Hope you are getting better and stronger.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      Yes, cliffhangers are fun, Cindie. I’m a marathon reader. In other words, if I have the time, I will read an entire book in one sitting. I hate waiting to see what happens, and cliffhangers—obvious or subtle— make me want to keep on reading as well. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lois Avatar
    Lois

    If there are cliff-hangers, I wait until all of the books in the series are available before I even start on the series, just in case the promised continuation fails to materialize. (I’m speaking generally, not of any particular author, just to be clear). Then I can decide whether to enjoy the suspense or plunge right in to the next one.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      Can’t blame you, Lois. That’s another reason to do separate books and then publish a collection at a later date. Also, I appreciate that Amazon offers a sample of each book so a reader can get an idea as to whether or not a particular book piques their interest.

      As to the ‘Four Lords’, they are priced at $2.99 each, and the collection is only $9.99. I also mention at the beginning of the blurb that each of these books is NOT a standalone and that they are part of a series so readers know in advance to purchase and to read them in order.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Regina JeffersCancel reply

Discover more from Always Austen

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading