I love to write but non-fiction is my style. I don't have a novel in me. I don't mind that I don't have a novel in me. Though I am in awe of people who can make up a story and write a novel. But what really blows my mind is when a writer publishes a book as a serial before finishing it, (like Dickens) and therefore cannot go back to change the story or edit. Blows. My. Mind.
No, I meant Dickens et al. They wrote in serial form, and I am sure they would tighten and bring focus if they could have published in a single volume. But I wonder if they would have changed the story if they had been given the chance, given that they were trapped in a storyline from the beginning.
So many in the last century: Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Agatha Christie, Richard Wright, Upton Sinclair, Mishima, and more.
Last 50 years: Michael Chabon, Bonfire of the Vanities (of course), Stephen King (twice), Chuck Pahalaniuk, Salman Rushdie, Bill Mckibbon, Alan Moore, Andy Weir, and more.
Ahh yes, of course, as I wrote that reply I knew I had to be wrong, and I knew someone would fill in the gaps. Of course. Bonfire of The Vanities. Any others?
Ah yes, and funny you should mention that. I’m currently reading LS Hilton’s All My Lovers’ Wives in which she tells the story of how she was wrongly accused of being Belle de Jour.
This sounds great! I’ve written one serial, am planning a second at the moment, and am also about to launch a four-week series on serialisation on Substack. So this has come at the perfect time!
Can I ask, though, whether this will be recorded to watch another time? I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch it live but have *so many questions*!
@Amanda Saint will confirm, but I think the recording will be available to everyone who signs up. And I’m happy for you to send me your questions in advance so I can get to them even if you’re not live in the room. Would that work?
There are great benefits for the writer, but is there money in it? Serialized novels paid very well when magazines were king. This is no longer the case
I think it depends on your horizon. If serialisation increases your readers which increases your chances of wider success then yes, but in the short term, I doubt it.
oh man, the way this is shaping up I’m going to have trouble not just chatting and being so pleased to see everyone. Anna, I’m charging you with keeping me on track 😂. So pleased you’ll be there.
I love to write but non-fiction is my style. I don't have a novel in me. I don't mind that I don't have a novel in me. Though I am in awe of people who can make up a story and write a novel. But what really blows my mind is when a writer publishes a book as a serial before finishing it, (like Dickens) and therefore cannot go back to change the story or edit. Blows. My. Mind.
Blows. My. Mind. too
Takes a lotta guff huh?
Too much guff. I mean, there's an arrogance to it, that the laws of writing could be flouted in such a way. 9 out of 10 will ruin what could be good.
I wonder how the serial writers would change the story if they could rewrite it.
You mean those who currently serialise straight to the page? From experience, they'd tighten and bring focus.
No, I meant Dickens et al. They wrote in serial form, and I am sure they would tighten and bring focus if they could have published in a single volume. But I wonder if they would have changed the story if they had been given the chance, given that they were trapped in a storyline from the beginning.
I imagine they would, just in the way of all artists who see what they could have done better after the event.
That’s a great list of books, Eleanor. But nothing of note in the last 50 years?
No, because it fell out of fashion…
Working on it!
So many in the last century: Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Agatha Christie, Richard Wright, Upton Sinclair, Mishima, and more.
Last 50 years: Michael Chabon, Bonfire of the Vanities (of course), Stephen King (twice), Chuck Pahalaniuk, Salman Rushdie, Bill Mckibbon, Alan Moore, Andy Weir, and more.
Yes! We are standing on the shoulders of giants.
Bonfire of the Vanities in Rolling Stone, 1987
Ahh yes, of course, as I wrote that reply I knew I had to be wrong, and I knew someone would fill in the gaps. Of course. Bonfire of The Vanities. Any others?
- "The Martian" by Andy Weir. Originally serialised on his blog before being published as a novel.
- "The Kingkiller Chronicle" by Patrick Rothfuss. Became popular via online serial releases before being published as multiple books.
- "The Wool Series" by Hugh Howey. Started as a self-published serial before becoming a full-length novel.
Marvellous. Thank you. I’ll add them to the list.
One more less obvious book from popular culture (at your discretion):
"The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl" by Belle de Jour (the pen name of researcher Dr Brooke Magnanti). The book was based on an anonymous blog and then later made into a popular TV series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intimate_Adventures_of_a_London_Call_Girl?wprov=sfla1
Ah yes, and funny you should mention that. I’m currently reading LS Hilton’s All My Lovers’ Wives in which she tells the story of how she was wrongly accused of being Belle de Jour.
Wow 🤩! I read most of the books on this list. Serialised fiction is not that bad.
On the shoulders of giants.... 🙃
That's quite a list. Here's one to add: War and Peace, 1865
Hells Bells, I wonder what the chapter word count was.
This sounds great! I’ve written one serial, am planning a second at the moment, and am also about to launch a four-week series on serialisation on Substack. So this has come at the perfect time!
Can I ask, though, whether this will be recorded to watch another time? I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch it live but have *so many questions*!
@Amanda Saint will confirm, but I think the recording will be available to everyone who signs up. And I’m happy for you to send me your questions in advance so I can get to them even if you’re not live in the room. Would that work?
Thanks Eleanor!
There are great benefits for the writer, but is there money in it? Serialized novels paid very well when magazines were king. This is no longer the case
I think it depends on your horizon. If serialisation increases your readers which increases your chances of wider success then yes, but in the short term, I doubt it.
Yes a successful serial will, at the very least, raise the author's profile and help sell books
I will be there!
oh man, the way this is shaping up I’m going to have trouble not just chatting and being so pleased to see everyone. Anna, I’m charging you with keeping me on track 😂. So pleased you’ll be there.
I'm in. (There's some risk of missing it with work but I'd like to hold my spot.)
I'm there...
Perfect timing!
I'm doing it. Having fun with a mystery.