How many series can an author successfully write at one time before the series start to suffer? When do you know it is time to let a series go?
These are questions I have been pondering for some time and I am interested in opinions that you guys may offer, especially anyone who may be an author. Please understand I am not an author so I approach this only from a reader’s viewpoint.
Can an author successfully give multiple series the attention each deserves without any of them suffering? I have been reading an author for many years, but this author is now writing five series—the fifth series just started with book one a week ago. I really enjoyed this book and will write my review very soon. The series I started with is now nearing release of book number 30. Personally, I feel this series needed to be ended some time ago, but we now have new characters whom will undoubtedly have books written for them and the overall story arc is still not finished. It is the series that will never end!! I also have to wonder, in the author’s defense—how much of this is the author and their muse and how much of it is the publisher continually trying to capitalize on an author’s popularity.
I read several authors who have multiple series, and it is normal for those authors in my experience to release one book a year in the series. When we are talking about 3 or more series, how can that possibly happen? Therefore, we are probably looking at over a year between books. One of my favorite authors generally writes one series at a time and we get a book usually every 6 months and then they start another series. Granted, these series usually contain 4 to 5 books. However, the series is completed and then we get to start another one. With the author who is on book 30, I could literally be in my mid 60s before it finishes and I am already 53!! Some of the recent books have disappointed me with much repetition—hence question 2—when do you know it is time to let go? I have many years invested in this series and I want to see the end, but I’m tired and don’t receive the level of enjoyment that I used to.
Have any of you faced a similar dilemma and how did you decide? Looking forward to your thoughts.
Geek Sneak Peek 