Here are a few things I learned from writing my Little Mallow cosy mystery series. I thought they might be of interest to authors contemplating writing their first series.
(btw, book 1 in the series is currently free to download.)
1. When planning your release schedule, allow lots of time. Although it is true that books in a series are quicker to write than standalones (because you don't have quite so much world building and character creation to do) the process isn't a lot faster. Readers won't want to wait too long to read the next one, but it's far better to set a realistic timetable than an overly optimistic one you don't meet.
2. Keep notes, a database, or spreadsheet of nearly everything! It might seem tedious to record the name of every single character, their partners, jobs etc, but having those details recorded in an easy to check format will save time and/or help avoid silly errors.
3. Depending on the genre, it might be a good idea to create a timeline chart of some kind. With my latest book I needed a very precise one to be sure people's alibis did, or didn't, work properly. A more general overall one can be useful for keeping track of things such as how long characters have known each other, making sure everyone just has the one birthday a year, that you don't have fourteen month pregnancies, and that everyone ages accurately in relation to everyone else.
4. Keep any planning notes after completing earlier books in the series. These will make it easier to check what's already happened than if you need to read through the entire novel.
5. As much as possible, plan the entire series in advance. That can help you avoid backing yourself into a corner by writing something you later regret e.g. killing off a character before you've finished with them, or failing to mention something which later becomes important to the storyline. For example, in my second book the fact the verger doesn't drive is important. As it's unusual for capable, employed men in their thirties, not to drive, this information is mentioned in the first book. I also mention a skill he does posses which proves useful later on.
6. If a character will become important for a later book in the series, consider including them as a minor character in earlier books. That way readers (and you) will get to know them and care more about what happens when they become more involved.
7. Decide whether each book will work as a standalone as well as part of the series, or if the books need to be read in order for the storylines to work. If it's the latter, make that clear in the descriptions, blurb and any promotions.
8. Although you'll want some kind of resolution at the end of each book, don't feel you must completely tie off every single lose end. That can feel contrived.
9. When publishing, consider putting you books into kindle unlimited, as series are popular with KU readers. This does require you to make the books exclusive with Amazon, which doesn't suit everyone, but you can opt out again after three months and make your books 'wide' then.
10. Consider making the first book in the series a little cheaper than the others. That's both to encourage potential readers to give it a try, and to steer them towards starting at the beginning and hopefully reading all the way through.
11. Consider creating some kind of free bonus material to promote the series. In my case I wrote a short ebook, set in the village of Little Mallow. This is available exclusively to those who sign up for my newsletter. It gives an insight into the location for the series and introduction to some characters.
12. Writing a series is a big commitment – be sure you're happy to spend time with your characters and in your fictitious world! Personally I love spending time in Little Mallow, and am very fond of the residents. I'm delighted to hear that many of my readers feel the same way.
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