1. John Franklin Dandridge

    John Franklin Dandridge Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Chicago, Earth

    Novel two volume novel lengths

    Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by John Franklin Dandridge, Nov 28, 2015.

    Does it matter that the second volume of my two novel series is about 20,000 words longer than the first?
     
  2. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    No. But something to consider is that publisher don't usually take on a series written by an unknown author. So make sure the first volume can stand on its own to maximize your chances of publication.
     
  3. John Franklin Dandridge

    John Franklin Dandridge Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Chicago, Earth
    Yeah, I didn't even think to turn it into a series until I finished the first. Thanks.
     
  4. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    That's true, but what I was getting at was that your first novel shouldn't have any major cliffhangers, and readers shouldn't need the second novel to understand what was happening in the first. For example, consider the first Harry Potter book. All major conflicts are resolved, and there really aren't any loose ends to tie up. So the first book stood on its own, and the second book picked up another major conflict.
     
  5. John Franklin Dandridge

    John Franklin Dandridge Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Chicago, Earth
    Oh, that's what I meant. The first book comes full circle. I didn't think to continue it until after several drafts. And it's a story told in vignettes, so there's a lot of room to play with the character and overall plot arc.
     
  6. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,080
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    I've seen several trilogies or longer with unequal length books. The Fifth Wave is another example.
     
  7. AASmith

    AASmith Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2015
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    124
    From what I have seen, the subsequent books in series are generally longer than the first for many reason, one people that if it's an unknown author, publishers and agents like to keep the word count down on the first book and then they can bulk it up in the other books. Also as another poster mention, I think its best that your first book for through the entire editing process first prior to starting the second book because you never know what may change.
     
  8. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2010
    Messages:
    5,101
    Likes Received:
    3,203
    Location:
    Queens, NY
    Actually, at a writer's conference over the summer, Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary said that agents are warming to the idea of a series, and having a book be the possible beginning of a series is now a point in its favor. However, @thirdwind is correct - the first novel must absolutely stand on its own.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice