In the Novel forum, I asked the question about how to pick the name of a novel. My first novel (yet to be published) is the first book of a series. The Queen of Paradise, Book One, Brothers of the Nephilim.
The general consensus is that a novel (series or not) should be able to stand on its own, without having to rely on the following books to satisfy the reader. In other words, a beginning, middle and ending. It was also noted by the majority of respondents that a "Book One" would scare people off.
If that's what the majority of agents are looking for (especially from first-time writers) then I'm in trouble. I wrote it "to be continued." I can re-write it, cutting out huge chunks and replacing much of the story with what I have planned for books two and three, but then it would be a monster of a book. It's already 91,000 plus words.
I also asked the question about the Harry Potter books - was the first book stand-alone? Did Harry Potter complete his quest in the first book? Those who responded to those questions answered YES. I didn't read the first HP book, so I don't know how he could have found what he was looking for after only a short time at Hogwarts.
Any comments and / or suggestions?
The general consensus is that a novel (series or not) should be able to stand on its own, without having to rely on the following books to satisfy the reader. In other words, a beginning, middle and ending. It was also noted by the majority of respondents that a "Book One" would scare people off.
If that's what the majority of agents are looking for (especially from first-time writers) then I'm in trouble. I wrote it "to be continued." I can re-write it, cutting out huge chunks and replacing much of the story with what I have planned for books two and three, but then it would be a monster of a book. It's already 91,000 plus words.
I also asked the question about the Harry Potter books - was the first book stand-alone? Did Harry Potter complete his quest in the first book? Those who responded to those questions answered YES. I didn't read the first HP book, so I don't know how he could have found what he was looking for after only a short time at Hogwarts.
Any comments and / or suggestions?