standalone first books and endings that call for sequels

I'm in the same situation.

I'm keen to write a sequel for my novel; but I am writing the first as a stand alone. I think it's wise to wait and see if I can sell it first and whether there is a demand for a second book.

I'm writing a different book after this one; and I'll see what happens. I can see one character having a possibility for a crime series; but we'll wait and see.

Before I go; my number one piece of advice: don't make publication your goal; make sure it's for fun. I nearly killed my career that way.

KC36 said:

I'm not sure exactly where I heard it, but I read something that it's recommended to write the first book of two or more books as standalone. But I realized I had questions about that. I'm writing a book, and today it dawned on me that a sequel could be an option. When I write the ending to the first book, do I write it as a cliffhanger ending, so that readers know that there is a sequel? Or do I have to write the ending so that it can stand alone, so I can get it published more easily? I feel like I have more material to write in a sequel, and all these possible last lines for my novel keep popping in my head that call for a sequel. I'm also thinking of a possible dilemma for querying... Do I write in the query that I am planning on writing a sequel, but the first book can also stand alone?

I just really want those questions cleared up because I feel so lost.... I'd really like to write a sequel, but at the same time, my most important goal is to just get published, so having the first one stand alone might be the best option.

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Try to do both. Write a book that can work as one in a series but write it in such a way that it will also work as a stand-alone. That means no huge cliffhangers at the end -- to not resolve the primary conflicts in the book would be a mistake -- but you can have some minor things that aren't neatly tied up.

That's what I did with the series I sold last year, the first book of which will come out this Sept. The first book is a stand alone murder mystery that introduces all the primary characters. It has a murder or two, all of which get solved. But there are some other issues for the main character that aren't resolved, such as her wrecked marriage, a new love interest, and a life that's in something of a state of flux. There are also a couple of running gags in the book that aren't fully explained. When I queried agents for this book, I wrote in the query that it was meant to be the first in a series but that the book would stand alone just fine, as well. The end result was a three-book contract.

So make your book work on its own, but if you foresee it as a series I think it's okay to say that in a query if you emphasize that the book can also stand alone. In your question you say "sequel" rather than series and I'd caution you on that. Not that it can't be done, but a sequel as opposed to a series has less appeal to publishers, I think. If you think the book can launch a series, I would say that in a query and explain how you envision the series evolving. But don't spend so much time on it that you neglect selling the first book, because without it all this is moot.

Beth

You don't need a cliffhanger to have a sequel to a book. However you do need to "finish" the book the way it needs to be done without worrying about it.

On my books that stand alone but can easily support a series in my synopsis and query letters I write, "This book stands alone but is an opener for a series" which lets them know you have more in you but if they want just the one it's doable.

Just my two cents.

I never thought I'd be able to write a standalone. I'm in the middle of my 5-book vampire series, and just started on a new, barely just a speck in the eye (or however that expression about conception of babies goes) thing, and I've realized that I think it might be a standalone book! I'm pretty excited about that, because maybe I'd query this one as my first. It's been said that it's a lot easier for an author to break out with a standalone than with a series. We'll see how it turns out.

I left my first book with a realisation a second was on the way. It can be enjoyed for the story, though. It is selling well but when the second one came along the sales rose threefold. So selling two books doesn't just double the sales, it at least tripples them. And I have sufficient material for a third (half way through at the moment).

Do both endings.

Submit the first book as a stand-alone, but tell the agent that you have a second book started.

If the agent takes you on as a client, THEN you can discuss the alternate ending that provides a sequel.

Be working on the second book while you shop the first.

It will keep your head from exploding.

Don't ever end a book on a cliffhanger, sequel coming or not. Finish the book so the reader gets a satisfying conclusion.

My personal opinion is that, if you are writing a book with the intention or vague possibility of a sequel, write it as a standalone book. But if you're planning on writing a series THEN you write with a somewhat cliffhanger ending.

A good example would be The Other Side of Midnight, which was an excellent standalone book, which later birthed a sequel.

I've gotten good at doing this. My first book quite obviously was going to have a sequel, but my young adult romance was different. It ended, but there was something about the relationship that was unsaid. It ended on a you don't need a sequel, but it looks like there's more to this relationship thing.

So I ended up doing a sequel to it, but it really is a standalone novel and that's what I pitch it as.

James D. Macdonald said:

Don't ever end a book on a cliffhanger, sequel coming or not. Finish the book so the reader gets a satisfying conclusion.

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As a reader, I totally agree with this. Nothing infuriates me more than getting to the end of a book only to find out the story is continued in a book that won't be out for months yet. The author might as well write "to be continued" on the last page. And if they'd been honest enough to do that then I'd know better than to buy the book.

As a writer, I can say I have written books that are part of a series, but each is a complete story on its own.

I bought and enjoyed the entire Ellis Peters Cadfael series.

They are stand alones and a series.

If I see that a series is the stated 'to be continued' I don't buy any of the books until the entire series is out. Period.

If the author doesn't put the 'to be continued' in and the book is in fact a to be continued with a cliff hanger unfinished ending and I bought and read the thing. I will never ever buy another of the author's books period.

Petty of me, perhaps. But I am the reader. I will be pissed when I finish the unfinished book. I will have forgotten it when the next one in the series comes out. I will only vaguely remember that for some reason I didn't like that author's work.

That said, I see no reason to not leave the possiblity of a series with any book, but finish each one.

S

Lady Cat said:

As a reader, I totally agree with this. Nothing infuriates me more than getting to the end of a book only to find out the story is continued in a book that won't be out for months yet.

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Absolutely

I'm having the same issue at the mo. But the first book wrapped almost everything up - the second comes from a throwaway line at the climax. But if you never read the second..the first is a standalone. Much more satisfying ( both reader and writer wise) if you can have a story arc for each book, with resolution there, even if there is an overarching story arc.

Even if it's only the resolution of a major subplot, satisfaction at the end is important ( IMO).

One of my novels has been submitted to a publisher as a partial and I have described it as one which "stands alone, but lends itself to a sequel." This publisher is likely to want a three book deal if they say yes, so I have already started working on the second.
The other does not lend itself to a second book, but this is out as a partial to an agent who deals with a different market and the first publisher would not even consider it as it doesn't fit their stated requirements.
Time will tell if either have been successful; the three month wait will be up in early March.

Stlight said:

If I see that a series is the stated 'to be continued' I don't buy any of the books until the entire series is out. Period.

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The only problem with that is that if the first book or two doesn't sell well enough, they may never finish publishing the series.

What I tend to do for series that I know I will read is buy the books as they come out, but don't start reading them until the series is finished.

Do the stand alone to get the agent, but let them know it "can continue as a trilogy/series." I added that one line at the end of my query. Once I had an agent, she asked me about the other two books. She had me write a synopsis for the next two books for submission, so the editors could see what the full trilogy was like. I sold the trilogy based on one finished book and two synopses. After she bought it, my editor had me rework the ending so it set up the next book. Even then, it still resolved the issues from the first book, but it just gave the protag a new thing to do in book two.

As many have said here, it's very hard to sell a first book from an unpublished author that needs a second book to get the entire story. You can always change the ending after you sell it

I write serials. I'm working on the third and there's going to be a fourth. I love leaving things open for sequels, but I would NEVER leave a story on a cliffhanger ending! It's so frustrating for a reader, and as others have probably said (I haven't read anything but the original post, so apologies if I'm echoing anyone), publishers prefer standalone books from beginning writers. "Standalone" doesn't mean there can't be a sequel, it just means that the story has a beginning, middle, and END. End = no cliffhanger! (FYI I've had people pick up reading my series on the second story rather than the first and to my surprise, they weren't that confused. *whew*)

With me, my stories are set in a place that just has lots of potential for new stories/sequels to pop up. One can also leave little plot elements (subplots) hanging, to tie them up in a future story, but still conclude the MAIN plot in the first book. I know that as a reader I would detest a cliffhanger ending. When I read a book I want it to be complete, even if it's part of a series. I don't even buy series books unless the whole series is right there and available.

*says the series writer, guiltily*

Danthia said:

Do the stand alone to get the agent, but let them know it "can continue as a trilogy/series." I added that one line at the end of my query. Once I had an agent, she asked me about the other two books. She had me write a synopsis for the next two books for submission,

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Ditto this. The first book in my series stands alone as a single volume, and the main conflict is resolved. However, there are minor threads woven throughout that are left open for exploration, and the plot of the second book is set up in an almost unnoticeable way near the end of book one.



Certain genres lend themselves more to continuing series (cozy mysteries, urban fantasy, etc..), but I would never recommend a new writer to use a cliffhanger. Heck, I don't even like it when bestselling authors do it--I can barely stand waiting a week for a TBC on an episode of television, much less six months to a year for a new novel.

To add to what Uncle Jim said, consider two important things.

If the first book doesn't sell, there will be no sequel. So put everything you have into the first book craft-wise to give it the resolution the reader deserves (and demands). Same for each book in the series--each one could be the last one picked up for publication.

If I, as a reader, get to the end of a book only to find out it was nothing but a set-up for a sequel or a series, you can bet your backside I will not ever shell out money for another book by that author. I bought the book to get a complete story, not to only get a tease of, "if you want to find out what happens, you have to buy my other books, too." On the other hand, if I read and enjoy a book with the standard story resolution, and then find out there is a sequel on the way, I'm likely to put in an early order with the bookstore or on the web.

We write for the readers. Period.

KC36 said:

When I write the ending to the first book, do I write it as a cliffhanger ending, so that readers know that there is a sequel? Or do I have to write the ending so that it can stand alone, so I can get it published more easily? I feel like I have more material to write in a sequel, and all these possible last lines for my novel keep popping in my head that call for a sequel. I'm also thinking of a possible dilemma for querying... Do I write in the query that I am planning on writing a sequel, but the first book can also stand alone?

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Okay. I've thought about this before. My opinion is that cliffhangers are fine - as long as you end the main story first. Do not leave the climax unresolved. Do not leave any plot threads unresolved. Save your cliffhanger for the resolution period; when all the demons have been faced, the emotional rollercoaster has been ridden, and people are sort of settling back into what remains of their lives. Or better yet, save your cliffhanger for the epilogue.

The thing is that I like cliffhangers - they raise the stakes, build suspense, and leave me dying to read the next novel. But I hate feeling cut short. I hate it when I don't know what gets to happen, if the story ends good or not. Now, don't get me wrong. End your first story on a cliffhanger, and I will probably read the next. But I'll be annoyed. That annoyance will carry over. And unless your second novel is stellar, it will not make up for leaving me hanging. If your SECOND novel ends in a cliffhanger, man, you can kiss me goodbye.

About the query thing...I *think* that's a separate issue. If your story is part of a trilogy or series, then I *believe* you save that little nugget for when someone requests a partial. If it's a standalone with a planned sequel, I don't think you're supposed to mention it. Can't remember if I assumed that or someone else said it, so you may want to check.

But I'm pretty sure series or trilogies are usually part of the publishing contract. I don't think that's the case with sequels. Again, you may want to check that.

Hope that helped some.
-Feathers

I'm kind of screwed here. I planned out a series of books (since one 800 page book won't work), but I can't figure a way to end the first book with any resolution to the external, "big picture" plot.

I've got the minor plot lines mostly tied up, but, as of now, my WIP ends with a large threat looming on the horizon. I'm sure it's a common issue with wannabe Fantasy authors. =(

Any suggestions, anecdotes or arsenic for me?

It's tough to tell what you have, and how the series looks. My personal knowledge is of a two-book "series" with both being stand-alones but with an overarching story arc. Here's all I can offer. Take a look at the main story arc that wraps all of the individual stories together. Within that story arc there must be individual sub-stories that can be fleshed out such that they form the main arc like pieces of a puzzle. Each puzzle piece should have it's own individual shape that is independent of the others, but constructed so they fit together to form overall picture. If each puzzle piece can be treated as a unique story, with all of the components of an independent plot, the puzzle can be put together in a sequential way to give the bit picture. If you give away too much of the overall multi-story arc early on, beginning in book one, you may defeat the stand-alone construct of the individual pieces of the puzzle. Perhaps the readers shouldn't know what the intact puzzle looks like before the pieces are fit together (kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle without looking at the box picture first). In this way, each independent story doesn't have to have a resolution to the big-picture plot. It's resolution is to the smaller story of that book. The string of stories is what creates the big-picture story, and the last puzzle piece is what finally gets that overall resolution accomplished.

This probably doesn't help much since the specifics of your stories are not known.

NeuroFizz said:

It's tough to tell what you have, and how the series looks. My personal knowledge is of a two-book "series" with both being stand-alones but with an overarching story arc. Here's all I can offer. Take a look at the main story arc that wraps all of the individual stories together. Within that story arc there must be individual sub-stories that can be fleshed out such that they form the main arc like pieces of a puzzle. Each puzzle piece should have it's own individual shape that is independent of the others, but constructed so they fit together to form overall picture. If each puzzle piece can be treated as a unique story, with all of the components of an independent plot, the puzzle can be put together in a sequential way to give the bit picture. If you give away too much of the overall multi-story arc early on, beginning in book one, you may defeat the stand-alone construct of the individual pieces of the puzzle. Perhaps the readers shouldn't know what the intact puzzle looks like before the pieces are fit together (kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle without looking at the box picture first). In this way, each independent story doesn't have to have a resolution to the big-picture plot. It's resolution is to the smaller story of that book. The string of stories is what creates the big-picture story, and the last puzzle piece is what finally gets that overall resolution accomplished.

This probably doesn't help much since the specifics of your stories are not known.

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I think I understand.

In my WIP, it ends shortly after an event displaces the characters and sends them fleeing to another country. There, they try to adjust to their new lives. However, the cause of that displacement is still a threat on the horizon.

I pitched my novel as "a standalone with series potential." The main story arc of the novel is wrapped up however, the overall mythology is left unfinished.

My original ending, while still wrapping up the main storyline, was almost like the first chapter of a sequel. My agent asked me to change it. In fact, all four agents who offered me representation asked me to change it. I think that was a pretty clear message.

This is what I'm doing with my WIP. I didn't plan to write a sequel, but as I'm working on it, I see the potential for another book or two. The ending is complete, but there are some big threats that can come back as the opening of book two. We'll just have to see how the first book goes before I think of writing II and III.