Books in a fantasy series that stands on their own

[Dancre]

I have a fantasy series that I want to publish. I found out each book should be able to stand on its own. Now what I want to do is have my hero and his group find weapons, six in all, to fight the evil demon guy. But each book will have a small story line within that particular book while they group is finding the weapons.

I.e. One book will be a character questioning his faith in his God. Another book will be the group trusting pirates to help them, another book will be one of the characters finding his mother and sister in the hands of Slave Owners and having to free them and some other women, etc, while they are finding a weapon and holding off the bad guys.

There will be, hopefully, 8 books in all. Would each of these books be considered a stand alone if each one had their own story within the arch? (Like the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe series? or Everworld series?) The last book will be the great war in which the hero gets the weapons and fights the demon. Thanks so much.

kim

[Wolvel]

Shouldn't be a probelm. Look what J.K. Rowling did with the Harry Potter series. Each book stands on it's own with subtle sub-plots linking the seven books.

[Dancre]

Shouldn't be a probelm. Look what J.K. Rowling did with the Harry Potter series. Each book stands on it's own with subtle sub-plots linking the seven books.

Whew! Wipes the sweat off my brow. You da bomb, Wovel!!! Thanks so very much. I for one love the stand alones. You get a different story in each book, yet still move toward the same goal.

kim

[mscelina]

I think it's important that each book in a series is a completed story in and of itself, and not just a fraction of a very loooooooooooooooong book. Granted, each subsequent story leads further down the overal plot of the SERIES but they should each be self-sufficient.

Strangely enough, I read "Queen of Sorcery" first in the Belgariad series of Eddings, and didn't get back to "Pawn of Prophecy" until the end of the series. I figured that if I could do that as a writer, then my stories were concluding themselves naturally in each book.

[Dancre]

I think it's important that each book in a series is a completed story in and of itself, and not just a fraction of a very loooooooooooooooong book. Granted, each subsequent story leads further down the overal plot of the SERIES but they should each be self-sufficient.

This is exactly what I want to do. Each book will have it's own mini plot while the group is looking for the weapons. You can read #4 first, then jump to #2 if you want. Or you can read 3, then 2, then 4, then 6, then 5. But you have to read the first book first and the last book last. Or is it the other way around?? :)

So I'm on the right track, thank God. I was a bit worried.

kim

[necia phoenix]

you know one of my fantasy series does something similar, in the first book the main plot is the character finding his nitch against the backdrop of a war, in the second book he has all that he worked for in book one sorta snatched away and has to go back to his 'roots' so to speak to help defend against the invasion.

Together they will have a powerful emotional kick (if I do it right) but the idea is that they can stand on their own.

I like the sound of your stories, personally I love series stories.

[Dancre]

What do you all think about this? In my first book, I have a servant girl who attends to my MC heroine when the heroine is captured by the bad guys. Then I send the servant girl on her way, but I was planning on bringing her back in book five, six somewhere around there. Would it be odd or jolting to have that book from the servant's POV? Like her story? She is sold to the slave traders and runs into one of my other character's family who was sold into slavery. She comes across heroine MC and she leads her to the MC's family. The MC has to fight the bad guys to get his family back and of course, they find another weapon. Is that too much to use the servant girl's POV? Should I just use my regular herione and hero's povs instead? What do you all think? Thanks so much!!!!

kim

[necia phoenix]

go for the new POV. It would bring a fresh perspective on the situation.

Thats why I love series stories cause you get a chance to hear a different character's story and you brush shoulders with characters you already have an emotional investment in. But that is just my opinion.

[Azraelsbane]

What do you all think about this? In my first book, I have a servant girl who attends to my MC heroine when the heroine is captured by the bad guys. Then I send the servant girl on her way, but I was planning on bringing her back in book five, six somewhere around there. Would it be odd or jolting to have that book from the servant's POV? Like her story? She is sold to the slave traders and runs into one of my other character's family who was sold into slavery. She comes across heroine MC and she leads her to the MC's family. The MC has to fight the bad guys to get his family back and of course, they find another weapon. Is that too much to use the servant girl's POV? Should I just use my regular herione and hero's povs instead? What do you all think? Thanks so much!!!!

kim

Technically you can do whatever you want, but I think it would be a bit jarring if she plays a bit part in book 1, and then all of book 5 or 6 are from her POV. If I was really into a series, and put 4 or 5 books worth of my time into it, I'd like to remember who the MC of the next book is. I really hate it when I read halfway through a book in a long series and I still have no idea why it is in said series.

If the girl comes across the MC in the first chapter, it might be okay. But chances are I don't remember much about this girl, so you'd have to MAKE me remember. :) Just my thoughts.

[reenkam]

What do you all think about this? In my first book, I have a servant girl who attends to my MC heroine when the heroine is captured by the bad guys. Then I send the servant girl on her way, but I was planning on bringing her back in book five, six somewhere around there. Would it be odd or jolting to have that book from the servant's POV? Like her story? She is sold to the slave traders and runs into one of my other character's family who was sold into slavery. She comes across heroine MC and she leads her to the MC's family. The MC has to fight the bad guys to get his family back and of course, they find another weapon. Is that too much to use the servant girl's POV? Should I just use my regular herione and hero's povs instead? What do you all think? Thanks so much!!!!

kim

I read a series where there was a character mentioned maybe 10 times total during 8 books I think. Then she got the 9th book all to herself. She didn't really interact with the mc of the others, though she was a friend of the mc's sister. I was kind of confused when I first started reading because I was like "Who is this?" but after a realized there wasn't a problem. If you can get your readers emotionally involved in the story and different character, it's almost like it's a stand alone in the same story universe. I personally wouldn't have a problem with it, and it could be a nice break from the normal mc.

[Dancre]

Technically you can do whatever you want, but I think it would be a bit jarring if she plays a bit part in book 1, and then all of book 5 or 6 are from her POV. If I was really into a series, and put 4 or 5 books worth of my time into it, I'd like to remember who the MC of the next book is. I really hate it when I read halfway through a book in a long series and I still have no idea why it is in said series.

If the girl comes across the MC in the first chapter, it might be okay. But chances are I don't remember much about this girl, so you'd have to MAKE me remember. :) Just my thoughts.

Good thought, Az. I thought of that myself after I wrote the post. It might be better to use one of my regular character's pov and they come across the girl from the 1st book. My herione can say, I remember you from the castle. That might be better. Thanks!!!!!

kim

[Dancre]

I read a series where there was a character mentioned maybe 10 times total during 8 books I think. Then she got the 9th book all to herself. She didn't really interact with the mc of the others, though she was a friend of the mc's sister. I was kind of confused when I first started reading because I was like "Who is this?" but after a realized there wasn't a problem. If you can get your readers emotionally involved in the story and different character, it's almost like it's a stand alone in the same story universe. I personally wouldn't have a problem with it, and it could be a nice break from the normal mc.

That's also a good thought. But the servant girl only has a small part in book one. :( She is later sold to the Slave Runners and pops up again in another book. But I was thinking of using one book from the bad guy's pov. That could be interesting in itself, don't ya think? In book 7, I tell who the REAL bad guy is and where he came from. I thought I could do 7 from his pov, then 8 would be the great battle. Ok? yes, no, thoughts?

kim

[reenkam]

That's also a good thought. But the servant girl only has a small part in book one. :( She is later sold to the Slave Runners and pops up again in another book. But I was thinking of using one book from the bad guy's pov. That could be interesting in itself, don't ya think? In book 7, I tell who the REAL bad guy is and where he came from. I thought I could do 7 from his pov, then 8 would be the great battle. Ok? yes, no, thoughts?

kim

It's ok if she has a small part, IMO. As long as you remind us that she played such a part, you probably don't ever have to connect the two again. That's just my opinion, though...other people might feel differently.

I think reading from the POV of the bad guy would be pretty cool. It'd be interesting to get into his mind and find out how things are going from his point of view and to find out why he's doing everything he is.....I'm trying to think of a series this happened in, but I can't haha. But go for it, it sounds good.

[Azraelsbane]

I think reading from the POV of the bad guy would be pretty cool. It'd be interesting to get into his mind and find out how things are going from his point of view and to find out why he's doing everything he is.....I'm trying to think of a series this happened in, but I can't haha. But go for it, it sounds good.

I agree with this. Bad guy POV rocks. It's the one I enjoy writing the most, though you have to be careful with it or you'll have a lot of people really pissed off when the good guys win. My husband is currently in denial about the outcome of the series I'm writing. His fav char is my bad guy, and he's constantly pleading his case to me.

[necia phoenix]

My story Redemption is about the bad guy. I have four differant endings for it also cause I am still unsure as to whether he will be redeemed.

I love the bad guy's POV; anybody here read The Black Company by Glen Cook? It is about mercenaries fighting for the 'bad guys'. Really good stories imo.

[Dancre]

I agree with this. Bad guy POV rocks. It's the one I enjoy writing the most, though you have to be careful with it or you'll have a lot of people really pissed off when the good guys win. My husband is currently in denial about the outcome of the series I'm writing. His fav char is my bad guy, and he's constantly pleading his case to me.

It's interesting you say that, Az. My beta reader saw my baddie as sexy. SEXY??? He's sleazy, not sexy!! I just don't see it, but she wants to sleep with him. :Wha: ok, whatever. So maybe I'll really get her going and do the story from his pov, or at least use his and the hero's pov instead of the hero and heroine, which is what I'm doing now. I think that just might work. The hero and the baddie? mmm . . .

kim

[Azraelsbane]

It's interesting you say that, Az. My beta reader saw my baddie as sexy. SEXY??? He's sleazy, not sexy!! I just don't see it, but she wants to sleep with him. :Wha: ok, whatever. So maybe I'll really get her going and do the story from his pov, or at least use his and the hero's pov instead of the hero and heroine, which is what I'm doing now. I think that just might work. The hero and the baddie? mmm . . .

kim

Hero and baddie... ::begins drooling:: Huh? What was that? Oh, sorry. It's just one of my heroes and my main antagonist were actually an item for awhile. I was just thinking very sexy thoughts and...

[Dancre]

Hero and baddie... ::begins drooling:: Huh? What was that? Oh, sorry. It's just one of my heroes and my main antagonist were actually an item for awhile. I was just thinking very sexy thoughts and...

LOL!!! I wasn't thinking sexy thoughts but he b/c sexy anyway, at least that's what my Beta reader says. I just let the baddie go and he came out sexy. LOL!!! (I still don't see it!!!!) Do you think I should tell her he dies at the end? Gulp!!! I may just have thousands of angry women storming my home. Very bad. :((

kim'

[reenkam]

LOL!!! I wasn't thinking sexy thoughts but he b/c sexy anyway, at least that's what my Beta reader says. I just let the baddie go and he came out sexy. LOL!!! (I still don't see it!!!!) Do you think I should tell her he dies at the end? Gulp!!! I may just have thousands of angry women storming my home. Very bad. :((

kim'


:eek: You just put a spoiler from your own book! When I read it my jaw actually dropped...Now we have to reason to stand in line at midnight when the book comes out!

[Dave.C.Robinson]

I'm a big fan of series where each book tells its own story. The Narnia books worked very well with different MCs. Keep the readers interested and you'll win big. :)

[Azraelsbane]

:eek: You just put a spoiler from your own book! When I read it my jaw actually dropped...Now we have to reason to stand in line at midnight when the book comes out!

::cough:: Try not to notice my username if you want to keep yourself spoiler -free from my series. ;)

[reenkam]

::cough:: Try not to notice my username if you want to keep yourself spoiler -free from my series. ;)

:eek: *shocked again*

am I the only one keeping my endings secret around here? goodness, people...:tongue

[Dancre]

I have another question. Would an agent accept an 8 book series from someone who has never published before? I'm thinking no. i may want to rewrite all of this if they won't accept something so long. (maybe 3 books?) But at the same time, I just hate the thought of throwing away all 8 books. They really are interesting and very individual so I'm not sure what to do at this time. Any suggestions?

[Dancre]

:eek: You just put a spoiler from your own book! When I read it my jaw actually dropped...Now we have to reason to stand in line at midnight when the book comes out!

I wish!! It all depends if the publisher really wants 8 books from an unpublished writer.

[RRK]

I have another question. Would an agent accept an 8 book series from someone who has never published before? I'm thinking no. i may want to rewrite all of this if they won't accept something so long. (maybe 3 books?) But at the same time, I just hate the thought of throwing away all 8 books. They really are interesting and very individual so I'm not sure what to do at this time. Any suggestions?

Is there any way to combine books, so you don't have to throw much away? That way you could maybe make it into a long trilogy?

Or, if they stand alone, you don't necessarily have to sell all 8 at once, right? You can sell the first, and then when it's a success the publisher will salivate at the thought of seven more (I'm speaking here as someone with no knowledge of the publishing industry at all...).

[reenkam]

I have another question. Would an agent accept an 8 book series from someone who has never published before? I'm thinking no. i may want to rewrite all of this if they won't accept something so long. (maybe 3 books?) But at the same time, I just hate the thought of throwing away all 8 books. They really are interesting and very individual so I'm not sure what to do at this time. Any suggestions?

Sooo, I'm going to comment here before everyone else swoops in with the depressing news they gave me.

Personally, I think that they will publish a series from an unpublished author, if it's good enough. Tons of people have told me that they won't because 1) they can't trust that the author can write the whole series and 2) it just doesn't happen.

So, first of all, the best way to get past that first no is to write all eight books and prove that you can do it, because you already have. then they don't even have to worry about the quality going down or anything like that.

Second of all, so many people are saying no to a series by an unpublished author, meaning not many people are trying it. so how can anyone really be sure that a publisher wouldn't want to look into it. it could just be that the people who are trying aren't good writers. and then the good writers aren't trying because it "won't happen". People also say that first time authors don't get multibook deals, but to be honest I've seen about half-half since I've been paying a little attention.

Also, people will tell you that your first needs to be a standalone. If it can, great. If not, don't try to make it one because you feel you must. I've read series where the first book couldn't be a standalone. It worked just fine and obviously the publisher published it. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to buy it.

I think the problem is that when people hear "series" they think "oh, you wrote a book, then there's a sequel, and another, and another" when, sometimes, a series is really just a big book split up, in a way. A publisher really can't not publish them all, because it just wouldn't make sense at all. It'd be stupid. Maybe this is why people say publishers won't take the books, but I still say they might if you have them all written.

So I say go for it. What's the worse that could happen? You don't get an agent for them, but then you just write another, publish that, and then come back with the series. If no one's trying, then it won't ever happen. And it's not impossible. So keep your story as you originally feel it should be and try it out.

BE STRONG! :)

[Dancre]

Is there any way to combine books, so you don't have to throw much away? That way you could maybe make it into a long trilogy?

Or, if they stand alone, you don't necessarily have to sell all 8 at once, right? You can sell the first, and then when it's a success the publisher will salivate at the thought of seven more (I'm speaking here as someone with no knowledge of the publishing industry at all...).

mmm . . . That's what the editor over at TokyoPop said. But the story is about a girl who finds a medallion and it yanks her into another world. She is captured by guards and is thrown into a prison cell with a disgruntal prince, whose kingdom was taken by a witch. The prince and his captain escape and take the girl with them. Basically, they say, screw the kingdom, let the witch take the people. They run for the coast to go across the sea. But along the way, they find out that the medallion is from the Ancients (their Gods) and they want to lead the girl to weapons that will destroy the witch and her evil angel lover who is actually running the entire show. I won't give away any more spoilers. tee hee.

Each book has them find another weapon, there are 6 all together. Each book would have an adventure as the group finds each weapon. Then there's a great battle in book 8. So either they find the weapons is the second book and the series ends in book three or maybe they can find the weapons is book one and have other adventures, fighting the bad guy? I'm not for sure what to do now. Would a publisher take all eight books?

kim

[Dancre]

Sooo, I'm going to comment here before everyone else swoops in with the depressing news they gave me.

Personally, I think that they will publish a series from an unpublished author, if it's good enough. Tons of people have told me that they won't because 1) they can't trust that the author can write the whole series and 2) it just doesn't happen.

So, first of all, the best way to get past that first no is to write all eight books and prove that you can do it, because you already have. then they don't even have to worry about the quality going down or anything like that.

I"ve written the first book and have synopsis for the seven others. Should I write all eight books now?

Second of all, so many people are saying no to a series by an unpublished author, meaning not many people are trying it. so how can anyone really be sure that a publisher wouldn't want to look into it. it could just be that the people who are trying aren't good writers. and then the good writers aren't trying because it "won't happen". People also say that first time authors don't get multibook deals, but to be honest I've seen about half-half since I've been paying a little attention.

mmm . . . that's interesting. So I'll never know until I try.

Also, people will tell you that your first needs to be a standalone. If it can, great. If not, don't try to make it one because you feel you must. I've read series where the first book couldn't be a standalone. It worked just fine and obviously the publisher published it. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to buy it.

mmm . . . ok. The first isn't so much a stand alone as it is an introduction to the characters, problems, etc.

I think the problem is that when people hear "series" they think "oh, you wrote a book, then there's a sequel, and another, and another" when, sometimes, a series is really just a big book split up, in a way. A publisher really can't not publish them all, because it just wouldn't make sense at all. It'd be stupid. Maybe this is why people say publishers won't take the books, but I still say they might if you have them all written.

So I say go for it. What's the worse that could happen? You don't get an agent for them, but then you just write another, publish that, and then come back with the series. If no one's trying, then it won't ever happen. And it's not impossible. So keep your story as you originally feel it should be and try it out.

BE STRONG! :)

You have not b/c you ask not. Ok, I think I'll try it and see what happens. If they say no, then I'll change it again. Thanks!!!!

kim

[Azraelsbane]

I actually just turned my trilogy into a series (split the first book into two). I'm going to query as a standalone that's expandable into a series, but you know what... I'm not really sure if it stands alone or not, because I'm horrible with that. In the summary I can pretty much see it as standalone, but when the reader gets to the end, if they REALLY think it's the end, well... they haven't been paying attention. ;) And I'll likely have 3 of my 4 books written by the time I get any responses to queries, so... I'm not sure if that helps or not, but I wouldn't give up on your series.

Long live the first time author fantasy series!

[J.S Greer]

The main point is this: Write your story, get it on paper, shape and mold it...there will be plenty of time to worry about who will want it later.

If you write a good story, one thats marketable, it wont matter if its in 20 parts. Then again, therein lies the rub...writing a story that is that good to begin with.


I have a three part story arc that im working on now. I will be writing a stand alone story within the same world when I am finished for the agents/publishers that might/will balk at such a big story for a new writer.

My main focus for now is getting everything down, and making it shine.