A while ago I blogged about increasingly expectations among publishers (and the reading public) that authors produce more than one book a year – now, as I peruse the emails in my inbox from Amazon, I’ve noticed another phenomenon – the increasing number of ‘extras’ authors are now providing.
There was an email regarding the new prequel to James Dasher’s book The Maze Runner (which I loved – will be pre-ordering that for sure!) and then a notice regarding an e-book offering from Veronica Roth (who wrote the terrific Divergent Trilogy) with a novella describing a key scene from her first book from the male protagonist’s point of view. This, coupled, with all the extra content I am seeing on offer from authors (including, I might add from one of our blog mates, Michelle Gagnon, who has written an e-book prequel entitled No Escape, to her young adult book Don’t Turn Around), has got me wondering about the pressure authors now face to produce a stream of material to support their full-length books.
Publishers are obviously keen to keep the buzz alive with a plethora of e-book offerings – from prequels, novellas and short stories – in an effort to sate readers’ appetites until the next full-length book is released. As a reader I love this (always happy to gobble up more from my favorite authors!) but as a writer I wonder about the pressure these increasing demands place (especially in light of the need to produce more than one full-length book in the year as well!)
Though I am seeing most of these additional content offerings in young adult fiction (which makes perfect sense), I wonder whether this reflects a kind of tipping point, not just in young adult books, but across the board. Now, don’t get me wrong I think it’s great that e-books and online marketing make this kind of additional content and material accessible. It gives authors an ideal opportunity to introduce readers to the worlds they have created and to further drive interest in their work. The push to supply all this additional content must, however, come at a cost – and I am wondering, as writers, how we feel about having such increasing demands on our time, creativity and energy. How can we juggle all the demands now made upon us?
So I’m looking for feedback:
- For those of you with upcoming releases, how much pressure has there been to produce prequels, novellas and other e-book shorts?
- How have you found juggling these demands with those of your full-length projects?
- How do you maintain standards?
- Have you said no to any of these demands?
- Have you contemplated ‘outsourcing’ some of these extras to ghost writers or publicists?
For everyone else, have you noticed this trend? What do you think of it? Does some of emphasis on volume of content dilute the books or enhance them?
All I can say is that from the consumer standpoint (one significantly past her young adult years 8-), I’m not interested in extras. I just want the author to write a great book. Period.
I’m not published yet, so I can’t chime on the demands, but from the reader’s point of view I enjoy the extras.
As a writer, it’s been difficult to find information on writing novellas especially. Most articles I read say “it’s like a novel, only shorter.”
Hello, Captain Obvious.
It’s been confusing, for sure.
I’m unpublished, but I think I’d enjoy supplying those “extras.” I love my characters, and given the chance to spend a little more time exploring them, I’d take it.
As a reader, I love having “extras” available. When I truly love the characters, it’s nice knowing there’s just a little bit more to read before I have to say good-bye.
Sonja
sonjahutchinson.com
I’m going to have a Customer Support Line where reader’s can call in and ask questions and complain. Maybe have a chat with the MC or subject the bad guys to a blistering tirade.
For an extra charge someone will read them the dirty bits over the phone. Then I’ll come over and mow their lawn, while they watch.
As a reader I’ve got to say I prefer quality over quantity. I’d much rather an author focuses on producing one really good novel a year than any number of extras. Now if you can produce multiple books and extras a year without a drop in quality then you’re very lucky, but at what point does the publishers demand for extras damage the quality of the central product, the novel?
Another issue I have noticed connected to this is that most of these extras are only on e:readers. While many feel that the Kindle (and others) is the future of reading, they aren’t for everyone. Some people simply cannot afford the initial expense of buying a Kindle; some may have medical issues such as eyesight problems that make reading a screen difficult or impossible; and some people simply prefer reading a physical book, either paperback or hardback. If books end up being solely released as ebooks in the future, don’t we risk excluding sections of the population from the joy of reading?
All the Best,
Matthew.
Thanks for mentioning my prequel, Clare! I have to confess, when Harper first asked me to write it, I pretty much started panting into a paper bag. But what we settled on (especially since it’s being marketed as free bonus material) is a short story that sets the stage for the novel, then the first few chapters of the book itself. So in the end, although in total it’s the length of a novella, the additional writing really comprised more of a short story.
I have to say, I have gone back and read short stories, especially when I’ve just finished a novel and am champing at the bit for more. A good example is “Hana” by Lauren Oliver, which fills the reader in on a major character’s fate that otherwise was unknown (one of the occasional drawbacks of a 1st person POV novel).
Side note: I scored a copy of Dashner’s prequel at ComicCon and read it in one sitting. Amazing book, you’ll love it.
I’ve thought often of doing that for upcoming work. I did put out a series of shorts in podcast a few years back that included a couple of prequel type stories that fleshed out some of my characters and listeners really liked it. I’m working on a short related to the early career of two of my leads right now, we’ll see how it goes.
Vote for the cover of my new book by 8/7/12 to receive a free ebook copy and be entered to win a signed paperback or audiobook
Interesting division between those who enjoy the extras and those who worry over the emphasis on e-readers and the dilution of quality. I certainly enjoy reading extras, so long as they really add something and aren’t just marketing fluff (sometimes I feel that reading a chapter from another POV isn’t necessary). Michelle I haven’t read Hana but having read the main books, I am intrigued! I’m also very jealous on the Dasher front…Basil, I do think that authors now have to think of all the angles when preparing their books (not just the full length book itself). In some ways the challenge is great and in other ways I can imagine myself hyperventilating in a paper bag:)
I actually find waiting a whole year for a book makes it even more special. I anticipate the release of a new book by a favourite author and really savour buying and reading it. I agree with Matthew – quality over quantity.
Linda