A few questions for serial fiction authors
Anyone who is publishing serial fiction online?
* If so, which particular service/platform/app are you using and for what reasons (ease of use, exposure, revenue, etc.)?
I want to try my hand on online serial fiction.
* My second question is, what method are you using for serial fiction? Like snowflake method or just writer per chapter / episode as you go?
And related to that, do you take adjust your story based on the feedback and expectations of your current readers? (Since they can leave comments per chapter/episode release.)
* Lastly, anything else I should take into consideration? Or, things to read on how to enter the serial fiction industry?
Thank you everyone!
A few questions for serial fiction authors
@youronlyone I've been doing serial fiction online for over a decade. Mostly on my blogs, though I've tried Wattpad (weak engagement) and RoyalRoadL (somewhat better, may return) in the past.
I have both serialized works that I publish bit-by-bit and seat of the pants writing, a new 2k words every couple weeks. That last is literally based on reader votes, as I have no set ending. Rarely get even 5 votes though, so maybe not what you're thinking.
A few questions for serial fiction authors
@youronlyone For things to take into consideration? It can be real hard to get noticed, even more so these days. To keep the readers you have, I'd say you absolutely need an update schedule you can stick to. Which means if you're not doing seat-of-the-pants, that you start with a backlog. @NaraMoore even has enough buffer to fire parts through beta readers, which is a great idea.
Can't speak to industry, this is a side gig for me. All the best!
re: A few questions for serial fiction authors
@QuasiTemporal @youronlyone @stevendbrewer
From feedback from authors, what I have heard is the only people making money at serial writing are romance writers on Vella and hentai writers on whatever platform allows them to publish. And even then, very few make a living.
I publish on AO3 and PIXIV. Basically, because I started on AO3 as a fanfic writer and PIXIV because my writing it targeted at people interested in JP style fiction. In my case, yuri. I tried Wattpad, and it was a total bomb. I have looked at Royal Road and the audience is too young.
Lots of serial writers seem to be pantsers and most of it doesn’t meet my bar for quality, it’s fanservice writing primarily fetish and hentai.
Like @QuasiTemporal says I think you need to have a regular publication schedule if you want to keep people. I publish weekly. I wouldn’t go longer than every other week, but that isn’t based on anything but my gut. For me, that means having about a month and a half of the material in some form. Post bete, beta, mature, and rough. This allows me to review chapters after a cool off period, provides a buffer to use beta readers, and a to cover periods when I have trouble focusing on writing.
I write chapter by chapter but it isn’t seat of the pants; I have a plot outline.
Ideally chapters should be suitable for commuter reading, I aim at 2,000 words. I have also heard 5,000 characters.
Feedback: I don’t get any except from beta readers. It is a pity because I would incorporate feedback where possible.
re: A few questions for serial fiction authors
Thank you for the insight!
Re: genre, yes, I noticed that romance is far too popular with the reincarnation/dungeon/hunter genre coming second, at least in the platforms I've checked so far.
@QuasiTemporal @stevendbrewer
re: A few questions for serial fiction authors
Ahh, "commuter reading". It's like the webtoons, easy and quick to read.
Thank you for that! It's a goal to hit and practice!