Should You Write a Series or Standalone Book?

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If you’re looking to make a career out of book writing, you may have thought of writing a book series vs. a standalone novel. Writing a series has its benefits, but is it the right move for your next book project? In this video, I go over a framework to help you decide if your story should be a part of a series or stand on its own.
 
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GREAT BOOKS ABOUT WRITING/PUBLISHING:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE NOVELS:

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RELATED VIDEOS:

HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN WRITING A SERIES OR STANDALONE:
01:15 - How do you intend to publish?
05:48 - What genre are you writing in?
07:20 - How far can you push your characters?

ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.

Feel free to get in touch!

 
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[Sheristen]

Yes, so many times a series is just a padded stand-alone, once you really break down the story. Thanks for providing consistently great content.

[moshecallen]

Just for the record, Tolkien thought he was writing a single novel in LotR.

[TalkingRubbish]

I'm writing a stand alone but I have plenty of ideas if what I'd like to do create a series. Great advice in this video 👍

[clintoreilly]

I've focused my 1st novel to be Stand-Alone but it has the potential of stretching into a series. I'm going for the traditional publishing route first, and should I find an agent, I'll let them decide. They're experienced, so... :) It's a romantic drama & suspence.

[Redskirt]

Agh, Alyssa, I'm pulling my hair out! The story I'm writing is a trilogy, and it can't be any more or any less than that. The plot and character arcs are like a three act play, and saying it can be a standalone is an obvious lie, but one I'm willing to tell if there's no other way to get past the query stage. Is there no other doorway for a trilogy?

[artefactfinder]

I think perhaps another consideration is the author’s productivity level (and perhaps personal health)… how many are waiting for GRRM to finish and worried he will pass on without providing resolution. You touched on this point talking about releasing once a year or so in the self publishing route.

[rameshnyberg]

I'm in the process of writing my first novel. Two other compelling plots for future novels have materialized in my mind, and after watching this, I am more convinced than ever that my protagonist will be the same in the next two novels. Thanks Alyssa for again providing valuable, useful content

[finleydixon]

Hi Alyssa, thanks so much for your valuable content. My WIP is a Dark Epic Fantasy. I admit that I'm not far enough along to know if the main story can fit into a single novel or not (~25-30% done, assuming 100K words). My hope is that it could be a standalone with "series potential"

[brianbanford]

Reading the comments I’m glad to know I’m not alone in this dilemma. In my query letter I want to reassure the agent I’m not a one-off novelist. Very good advice. Thanks.

[infjelphabasupporter]

Hi Alyssa, I'm finishing the first installment of a fantasy series, and really want to traditionally publish. But I've been told that if I publish that first book and it goes badly not only will they not publish the rest of the series but also I will lose the right to publish it any other way, not even through self-publishing. This worries me a lot since telling the entire story is very important to me, even if I receive little economical benefit. Is it true that the series would be off limits forever in this scenario? Or could the publishing house choose to bring the series back if I make myself a name as an author, in time? Does hybrid publishing entail I'd have the right to self-publish the rest of the series even if the publishing house "canceled" it?
I'd be so grateful if you could explain this to me, since it's been a big concern of mine for a while.

[bellereads]

I’ve been binge watching your videos since I found your channel yesterday. Such valuable information! It really feels like a blessing, so thank you for that! 🥰

Would you consider talk about a topic I can’t seem to find anywhere: how to go about publishing a book in English that’s written in another language but hasn’t been published anywhere else yet. Is there need to translate everything by yourself beyond the usual sample pages for when the agent wishes to see the full manuscript? Can I openly expose the situation to the agent in the query letter? Would they accept a sort of synopsis-only as a full sample to make the decision to commit to the book? What are the odds of being accepted (since translation of some kind would be required and the editing process could potentially become more difficult). I’m wondering this because my manuscript won’t make the audience in my country, but I believe I read enough in the English market to know the situation would be totally different. Do you have advice on these type of scenarios?

[jkbattaglia]

I'm working on a science fiction series. I'm writing it now. Working on the last 1/3 of the book (the "last act" if you will). I will be self-publishing. I may take your advice and make it a stand alone if I try to go the traditional publishing route. I haven't decided on that yet.

[jamesstolpa]

As always, great video and great advice. This was an unexpected and unique topic. I have struggled with the decision to write a sequel to my first novel. I'm still undecided; but some the information you've shared will help me as I weigh the two sides. Keep 'em coming Alyssa.

[StephenAryan]

It's definitely more common for fantasy debuts to be series. Later on, standalones do crop up, sometimes set in the same world, sometimes totally separate. Thinking on it, every fantasy debut from the last 10 years that I can think of, including my own, has been a trilogy.

[TheStumptube]

Historical fiction is the perfect genre for a series. There are so many. A ridiculous number really. Just look at Bernard Cornwell, George Mcdonald Frasier, Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow, CS Forester, Ben Kane... I could literally keep writing author names all day.

Those authors do tend to write military adventure or swashbuckling stories, though, so it's only one type of historical fiction.

[rowan]

My current book will be a trilogy and now on the first draft on book 3. And book 1 isn't out yet. Some huge delays as my editor has some issues. So if I should get an agent, and book 1 is successful, book 2 and 3 aren't far away.
Book 1 certainly will be fine it self but book 2 dives deeper into the city the heroes live in and and a new villain. So it should be interesting nevertheless.

[mrplatink]

Thank you for the vid! I've heard that if we intend to write a series, we should market it as "a stand alone story, that has the 'potential' to be a series." I'm doing just that...with three sequels eagerly waiting in the wings. ;-)

[AndrewMonzon]

Alyssa, your timing is perfect. Since I plan on publishing through traditional methods, I have debated this very subject for months. Your video confirmed what I suspected. My query pitches a stand alone manuscript, but the sequels are outlined in case of any success. Thank you so much. Your posts are so helpful. - Drew

[andeeharry]

5:53 So far my book genre is is a multi mix of diffferent kinds of genres

[maryiv]

I’m working on a political fantasy novel and I’m thinking of making a trilogy or keep it as a stand alone. Thanks for helping