Finishing My First Book Soon

[Asthael]

I'm a few chapters from finishing the first "book" of my story with several more outlined. Not sure if I should continue the story in the same "series" or start a new one (I have a new cover prepared and I kind of want to use it). Not only that, but later plans for the story will span years, so the tags would change as the themes, plot and characters evolve. So should I start a new series for each "book" of the story or is it better to keep it all together and try to update the tags and cover as the story changes? Just looking for thoughts as how people go about it and what readers might expect. Thanks!

 

[QuercusMalus]

I am in the process of writing a story that, as it stands, will probably span 4 books. I plan to have it all as one on here, with the chapters headings being the main thing that changes (so Book 1, Chapter 1, Book 2, Chapter 1. Ect). Currently about 170k words in, will probably be in the 400k-500k once done.
I do plan to make separate covers for each and include them as separate 'chapters' of the story at the appropriate spots.
Story tags will be updated to reflect the whole so people know what they are getting into.

 

[ConansWitchBaby]

This site has a great "in the same universe" system in place. Just link your books and it will be fine. Make sure to do a follow up ending chapter that explains to your readers where to go for more.

 

[Fox-Trot-9]

I'm keeping my series all in the same book. It's just easier to keep track of things that way. I just separate the volumes with an afterword after each volume. I'm currently currently over 270k words into it, and I'm about halfway through the 2nd volume of the series. For the description, I just write up a separate blurb for each volume.

 

[Asthael]

This site has a great "in the same universe" system in place. Just link your books and it will be fine. Make sure to do a follow up ending chapter that explains to your readers where to go for more.

Ooh, thanks! Glad to know that's an option!

 

[SoaringMoon]

I feel like the only reason to not break a series of books up into separate entries is a disingenuous attempt to keep the performance stats from your previous entry.

 

[Lacedaemon]

My biggest series is split into "parts," with Part 1 having 23 chapters and an epilogue, and Part 2 so far having 6 chapters. Perhaps if it is ever published physically, I will split each part into 2 or more volumes like a light novel of sorts. I intend to do at least 4 parts, with Parts 2, 3, and 4 varying in length but generally being between 20-35 chapters.

 

[QuercusMalus]

I feel like the only reason to not break a series of books up into separate entries is a disingenuous attempt to keep the performance stats from your previous entry.

How is it any different than having one very long story? Does it really matter if instead of the final chapter being 'Chapter 167', it's Book 4, Chapter 43'? It's the same number of words, in one place, so the reader doesn't have to go hunt for book 2, 3 and 4 when they are binge reading. Should we put some arbitrary limit on book lengths? 200k words and you need to make it a new story, with a new cover and synapsis?

That is the main benefit of electronic versions vs printed copies- you can have everything in one spot. If you choose to split it out, that's fine, but it's a stylistic choice.