Most of my books release anywhere from six to nine months apart, which has worked really well in juggling the work involved in getting the books ready for publication.
However, this past fall with my new Lost Princesses series, I decided to do something a little different and release the books in quicker succession, approximately one a month.
First, since I already had all the books written, I didn’t have the pressure to write them quickly (and risk being sloppy). In addition, the books were professionally edited and proofed months ago, and my beta readers also had plenty of time to provide feedback. That means I felt confident I wasn’t compromising quality for quantity.
Second, my release schedule for my adult books for the next couple of years is pretty full (including branching off into a new genre that I’m excited to tell you about hopefully soon!). So, I decided it would be better to try to keep the releases in the Lost Princesses series closer together instead of interspersing them with my other books (and having conflicting release schedules).
Third, I wanted to be able to reach new readers who like to binge-read. Many avid readers subscribe to Kindle Unlimited (which is essentially the Netflix for books). Such readers are less likely to purchase new books and instead try to get their money’s worth out of their KU subscription. Interestingly, my KU sales for this series are higher than regular eBook and print sales combined. So obviously this series is reaching those binge readers.
Fourth, I wanted to see if the rapid release affected the visibility and ranking of the book. With books releasing in such quick succession, many new reviews coming in, and steady sales, each of the books hit #1 on one or more Amazon lists. My author and book rankings stayed consistently high (certainly not near #1 but pushing me higher than I usually go with other book releases), which I *hope* led to more people noticing the series.
Finally, I wanted to see how readers preferred the rapid-release (versus the longer wait). During release time, the response from readers was overwhelmingly positive in regards to not having to wait so long between books, especially because the stories are more intertwined than any other series I’ve written. Readers were pleased they didn’t have to wait six months to a year to find out how everything wrapped up.
All in all, the rapid release has been successful enough that I’m hoping to do it again next fall with a new YA series.
If my favorite authors produced one book a month, I’d LOVE it! In fact, sometimes I’m really bummed that I have to wait so long between their book releases and wished they’d publish more. But I also realize not every author or reader may be quite as eager for a rapid-release schedule.
So how about you? Do you like when authors have a rapid release schedule or do you prefer the lengthier wait?
Jody Hedlund
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I have truly enjoyed the rapid release schedule. It is particularly helpful for the intended audience (YA). I’m thinking of my daughter who is enjoying the series and not so patient while waiting for the next book. It prevents the potential of losing steam and excitement over a new series when having to wait for the next book.
I would like to read in rapid release large print. You are on my Favorite author list.
I don’t consider myself a binge-reader, but I love it when a series is published with the books released in quick succession. Otherwise, I often find I forget details, including character backstories, etc.which hampers me when reading the next book. And as a KU reader, I found your statistics very interesting.
I LOVED the rapid release of The Lost Princesses series! I dislike waiting many months between release dates for books in a series. As a woman in her fifties, I find I would rather binge read a series, especially one that is closely intertwined.
I do and I don’t like rapid release. Of course, if I’m already into the series I love it. I get a complete story, I don’t forget plotlines or characters, and it’s a fully satisfying experience. But if I can’t get to book 1 yet, then three books release, I feel so behind and overwhelmed as a reader. I sometimes wish God would turn back time like He did for Hezekiah. That way I could get extra time to catch up on my TBR mountain. 😉
Jody – I always learn so much from you. You are such a savvy businesswoman when it comes to writing. And now you’re branching into a new genre? I can’t wait to hear more!
Wow. Do you sleep? I don’t know how you can get all that writing done! I imagine rapid release is very popular. I’m one who gets impatient when I happen on a new release and then realize it’s the first of a trilogy and I will have to wait 2-3-4 more years to get to the conclusion. Sadly, I sometimes forget I’m invested in the story line. Love the idea of rapid release. Congrats!
I love rapid release. My memory is not so good and I enjoy series so much more when I can still remember the details of the other characters and the events that have previously taken place. I really enjoyed reading all the stories of the Lost Princesses. I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
I would love a rapid release for my favorite authors! Although if all of them did that, I might get even more behind in my TBR list. 😉 It is fun to see what happens next in an overarching plot and not have to wait so long. Sometimes I forget details the longer I wait. Because of that I sometimes purposely wait to read a series until all the books are released so I feel like I don’t have to wait in between (instead all my waiting was done before I started). Either way the waiting helps me practice patience, which is not a strength of mine. Yet. 🙂
I liked the rapid release but wouldn’t want it all the time. Once a year would be great. I have yet to read the last book of the series because it downloaded to my Kindle fire when I was already in my Christmas reading schedule. I plan to read the last book sometime in January. I must say that I loved the lOst Princesses series.
Thank you for the details and information you garnered by trying this rapid release schedule. I think many readers do enjoy being able to read the entire series rather than wait so long between books. I might want just a bit more time, maybe two to three months, between, but that is only because I am so busy, I have difficulty finding time to read at all!
Love hearing about this!
I know of course I’m sad when I finish a great book and then have to wait months or years for the next one, but after the initial “Awww darn it” wears off, I’m usually rather glad for the wait in between.
It gives me a chance to soak up and ponder everything I loved about the current book or the rest of the series, and often I’ll read the book again, and be thrilled to see a million hints and foreshadowings and details I missed the first time. It makes the books I love that much richer for the waiting, and I usually come away with more actual life and perspective change when I have time to ponder, and see how God uses what I’ve just read to grow me. Though the waiting is still essentially torture…it’s often SO worth it!
I definitely appreciated the quick release of your Lost Princesses series. The books are so intertwined that being able to read the next portion so quickly was a definite plus. Susan May Warren released her Montana Marshalls series almost as fast but that’s the only time I recall (in addition to yours) that a writer I have read and enjoyed has done anything like it. I hope that you will decide to rapidly release your next YA series as well.