Trilogies

[Viola2007]

What are the chances of a first novel being published if it´s part of a trilogy?
I gave up on my romantic suspense (too controversial and long) and returned to an old project. This is a historical fantasy and the first book has a happy ending and characters are sort of settled down, but there are few unfinished business: a Voldemort-like villain is still hovering somewhere, there is a war going on and characters are not out of the woods yet.
Should I continue or try something shorter and simple? The thing is that I love this project and can’t seem to write anything else with the same zest and inspiration., but I spent three years writing and polishing a novel just to learn it had no chance. I don´t want to waste time and energy again

[Writer14]

If it were me, I'd probably copy the document to a blank one and continue typing until you reach a solid-ish ending, but still open for a trilogy.

Then write the rest of the trilogy. So that way, you can say 'I had it planned as a trilogy, but book 1 could stand alone if it has to."

or something...

but..^^ I've only been published in an anthology, so...my input isn't as valid -or something- as someone elses on this board who knows more about publishing and the steps. ^^;

But yeah. Thats more or less what I'd do. Hopefully it made sense.

[The_Grand_Duchess]

Yeah I agree. Make sure your first book has a solid ending and just try to get that one published. If people come back for me you can be like bam, I got you covered!

[BrotherBrutus]

It will really end up depending on the quality, readability, and appeal that any book does. If the editor really enjoys the manuscript, he's going to like the idea that he'll be getting two more like it in the future. If a trilogy is successful from the first book, than even if the second two are, well, less so, then they'll still sell fairly well. On the other hand, it promises to be a bigger investment, so if you're on that edge and the editor isn't sure you'll pay off, you might get the axe.

It really just depends on whether they like it.

Cheers, BB

[NiennaC]

I have a similar problem Viola2007. Right now, I'm trying to see if I can condense the trilogy into one book - in my case, it might work, might not. In yours, becuase I'm assuming you've already turned down that avenue and that your book needs to be a trilogy, I would say try to make the first book a stand alone, but if you can't, you can always try querying anyway.

It's very hard to get a trilogy published for a first time author, but lately I've been seeing more and more trilogy debuts, so I think it depends. (This is just my opinion though, as I have no real clue.)

Just my $.02.

[Karen Junker]

The best idea is to make each volume in the trilogy a stand-alone book. What if the editor doesn't like the first book? If they ask to see something else, at least you've got the second and third book to show them.

I have been told by several editors and agents that it would be very difficult to get a trilogy sold by a first time author, yet it does happen if the books are just that good. Maybe read one of the first time author's books and see how your writing compares - if you're an Elizabeth Bear, you stand a good chance of making a sale with your trilogy!

[Doogs]

I'm going to agree with what everyone else is saying.

Even if you're planning your novel as the first of a trilogy (or quadrilogy, in my case), the first book should be a standalone. Sort of like Star Wars. Well, before the prequels.

[DeleyanLee]

What are the chances of a first novel being published if it´s part of a trilogy?
I gave up on my romantic suspense (too controversial and long) and returned to an old project. This is a historical fantasy and the first book has a happy ending and characters are sort of settled down, but there are few unfinished business: a Voldemort-like villain is still hovering somewhere, there is a war going on and characters are not out of the woods yet.

All the advice I've heard from pros, agents and editors alike is that you need to write the story as you see it.

With that said, they also go on to say that it's far easier to sell a stand-alone book than it is to sell a series the first time out. However, if you're an unpublished author and have a story that is a trilogy--particularly a Fantasy trilogy where the story is completely told over the course of the three books--then it's best to have the complete story, all three books, finished and polished and market them as a unit.

The reason that many publishers are leery of taking on a series or a trilogy from an unpublished author (so I've heard) is two fold. 1) The story is an unknown element--they could buy into the entire thing and then have the numbers bottom out. Publishing is a business, and they want things that will sell well. 2) On the off-chance that the series does take off, the author is an unknown quantity and may or may not produce the rest of the series in a timely enough fashion to keep the interest up.

There's no way to guarantee 1) for them, but you can take 2) away completely by giving them the entire thing up front.

Besides, that's also good for you--then you've got a couple-three years to work on the next thing you're writing on without fear of immediate deadlines. ;)

[RainbowDragon]

Don't throw away your first novel, either. You never know, the market may shift in its favor in the future, or the success of a later book may get you more favorable reads.

As for the trilogy, it's my understanding that it doesn't really impact your ability to sell a book as long as book one has a satisfying enough ending to stand alone. Sounds like it does, so mentioning the books to come probably won't hurt though it may not help either unless this book "grabs them".
Good luck!

[MMWyrm]

I have a fantasy trilogy that is 2/3 done. The first book is my love-child and is the first real novel I've written. I know its harder for a first timer to get a trilogy accepted, and I have confidence that this story will succeed.

So, I've put it on the way-back burner and am writing another novel to be my first published piece. After its stellar success, I can easily get the trilogy published.

This all works great in my dreams. :)

[Viola2007]

but my heart wasn´t in it. I didn´t even like my characters, so it would never prosper. I figured, if you don´t love your book, nobody else will. So, I am going to give this one (that I do love) a solid ending and pray for the best. Good luck to you MMWyrm and thanks everybody for your input.

[MMWyrm]

Thanks! Best of luck to you too. It's funny. I'm not in love with my current WIP (the replacement for the trilogy), but its shaping up. Gotta keep plugging away.

[avid-dreamer]

What are the chances of a first novel being published if it´s part of a trilogy?
I gave up on my romantic suspense (too controversial and long) and returned to an old project. This is a historical fantasy and the first book has a happy ending and characters are sort of settled down, but there are few unfinished business: a Voldemort-like villain is still hovering somewhere, there is a war going on and characters are not out of the woods yet.
Should I continue or try something shorter and simple? The thing is that I love this project and can’t seem to write anything else with the same zest and inspiration., but I spent three years writing and polishing a novel just to learn it had no chance. I don´t want to waste time and energy again

If your work is good and the agent/publisher sees where it's going then why not? I just finished a gothic romance (my first novel) and on my initial conversation with the agent I was asked if it was a trilogy. I said no and she asked me for 2 more books - each centering on one of my main character's brothers.

I say go for it!!

[Carrie R.]

I think that if the first book can stand alone then there's no reason not to keep going with it, especially if you love writing it. In the end, you have to enjoy what you're writing or it isn't worth it. I just wouldn't start on the second book of the trilogy until the first sold :)