Series vs. Sequels

Southern_girl29 · Jul 3, 2007

I've read on this Web site numerous times not to write a sequel to your first book as your second book. In the eyes of agents and publishers, is there a difference between a new book in a series and a sequel? I have a series planned, but each book will stand alone. It's older middle grade, younger young adult. The best example I can give of what it would be like is the Nancy Drew series. You don't have to read all the books to understand just one.

So, would it be ok for my next book to be the next book in the series? Or should I move on to something entirely different.

rugcat · Jul 3, 2007

This is a tricky one. On the one hand, if you start on a sequel, even if the first is a standalone, what happens if you can’t sell the first? Are you going to submit the sequel to agents or publishers who have rejected the original book? You won’t get very far, and all that writing will go for naught.

On the other hand, in some genres (urban fantasy, some thrillers, most YA books) the series concept is actually a selling point with editors. They want a continuing cash cow if the first book is successful. In urban fantasy, a two book deal, sometimes even a three book deal, is becoming almost standard with debut authors. When they buy the first one, they’re also buying the sequel even if it’s not yet written.

Not much help, is it?

Dave.C.Robinson · Jul 3, 2007

The issue here is simple. Until you have a contract, don't write a book that depends on another book selling before it can sell. Every book needs to stand on its own for saleability. The only difference between the terms "next book in the series" and "sequel" is that the former implies there are more than two books in the series while the latter does not.

My own suggestion is write each novel as a standalone that can support a sequel; then do a rough outline of the sequel. This way if you do get a multi-book deal you don't have to start cold. Once you've done that, write another standalone that could also be expanded into a series if need be.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Southern_girl29 · Jul 3, 2007

Ok, so if the first book can stand-alone and the second book could stand alone once it's written, it would be all right to go ahead and write it? It's not a sequel. The first book ends with all the plot points tightly wrapped up. The only thing that is open ended is that it mentions she will be going to Florida to visit her father for the summer. I will incorporate some of the back story from the first novel into the second to keep everyone from being confused if they just read it, but if the first one didn't ever sell, the second one would be fine. I have it outlined, just getting ready to sit down and write it.

ChaosTitan · Jul 3, 2007

Southern_girl29 said:
but if the first one didn't ever sell, the second one would be fine.

Then you're good to go ahead and write it, methinks.

The advice you mentioned above, as others have said, relates more to second books that cannot stand alone without the first book.

Series vs. Sequels

Southern_girl29

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

Dave.C.Robinson

... with the High Command

Southern_girl29

ChaosTitan

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