I've tried using Wattpad to serialize fiction, and I didn't feel the engagement like I do here. I went and took a contract with Dreame for that book, and should be finishing it this summer and likely won't pick it back up BUT I have almost 700 readers there. Hopefully some will come on over to Substack, or Patreon if I feel like adding my current serial there. I do like their options for merch on Patreon and ease of added content/extras. I'm putting my fiction for free here, but just started a novel planning course for the month of March, hoping to pull in some people that way. I might add a reason for the fiction readers I have here to subscribe in the future, I just haven't yet.
I'm slowly learning how many platforms there are for serialised fiction and its amazing! I have a few WIPs that I dont plan to traditionally publish and am thinking about serialising and I'm super excited by the prospect. Great to hear more about what you are writing.
For anyone looking to traditionally publish something they also might want to serialize—I chatted with an Authors Guild lawyer about this and they recommended sharing no more than 10% of the book on platforms like Substack.
While I’m just starting out, I’m finding more success than some of the traditional fiction sites you mentioned. There is so much competition that it’s hard to stand out. I’m still working through paid vs free content though
That's really amazing to hear!! I am thinking of starting a serial on Substack too but also weighing up some of the other sites as well. Would be interested to see how you find it over time.
I just started writing a serialized story here but wanted to release it all for free. These tips help if I ever want to push for paid subscriptions - even though I'm terrible at that lol. But I was struggling on thinking of what to offer, these are good ideas.
I've been toying with the idea of serialized fiction for some time now. I think the fiction community, including readers, will only grow here on Substack.
I'm not a fiction writer (yet?!) but as a lover of nineteenth-century fiction, I have considered this idea before and wondered what serialization would look like in today's culture. Writing serially looks different than writing a polished novel. I think it's an interesting premise, and I thought this was a fascinating read. Thanks for sharing!
I've been trying with the idea of serialized fiction for some time now. I think the fiction community, including readers, will only grow here on substack.
Im two months in and about to hit 100 subscribers. So that was my target to take the guilty imposter syndrome step of starting paid subscription. Im going to add episodic commentary, a paid subscription only story and the opportunity to contribute to my story.
"authors who self publish only ever making between 5% and 15% of the sales price on most platforms." That's grim. I suppose that's why some authors prefer to sell 'direct'.
I’m surprised people want so much extra content. What ever happened to the story being enough and yall taking your fan fiction from there? 😩😂 but thank you for putting this all together and doing all this research!!
Thanks, Megan, for the deep dive. I started here in February. Having been a screenwriter and novelist, I have plenty of material to provide in serial format. I’m more interested in building my audience at the moment rather than making money off my newsletter. But I am planning to digitally sell Cine Novels, unproduced screenplays as standalone works of literature through Substack. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Something worth mentioning too is the entourage effect of serializing fiction. I have a good amount of free content and the bulk of my content is paid. But even though the paid posts have lower engagement, they lead to an increase in eBook sales off platform. Free feel to reach out if you have questions.
This is so helpful! It inspired me to think more about my serial origin story from ten years ago, and whether that could be a way to connect with authors/readers on Substack, too!
I'm in the early stages of researching serializing on Substack. This was sooo helpful! I have a fiction novel that reads like a memoir, and the idea of growing a community around the experience of sharing feels exciting. Thanks for taking the time to weigh these options and share! Lots to think about 🤔🥰
I've tried using Wattpad to serialize fiction, and I didn't feel the engagement like I do here. I went and took a contract with Dreame for that book, and should be finishing it this summer and likely won't pick it back up BUT I have almost 700 readers there. Hopefully some will come on over to Substack, or Patreon if I feel like adding my current serial there. I do like their options for merch on Patreon and ease of added content/extras. I'm putting my fiction for free here, but just started a novel planning course for the month of March, hoping to pull in some people that way. I might add a reason for the fiction readers I have here to subscribe in the future, I just haven't yet.
I'm slowly learning how many platforms there are for serialised fiction and its amazing! I have a few WIPs that I dont plan to traditionally publish and am thinking about serialising and I'm super excited by the prospect. Great to hear more about what you are writing.
For anyone looking to traditionally publish something they also might want to serialize—I chatted with an Authors Guild lawyer about this and they recommended sharing no more than 10% of the book on platforms like Substack.
Also turn off the AI training setting 😉
Good tip to turn of the AI training setting.
I'm curious how I could serialize and only share 10% of the book. Is that absolutely necessary to keep the trad publishing option open?
I’m not sure. Cheryl Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things started out as an advice column, so I definitely don’t have the full story!
While I’m just starting out, I’m finding more success than some of the traditional fiction sites you mentioned. There is so much competition that it’s hard to stand out. I’m still working through paid vs free content though
That's really amazing to hear!! I am thinking of starting a serial on Substack too but also weighing up some of the other sites as well. Would be interested to see how you find it over time.
I just started writing a serialized story here but wanted to release it all for free. These tips help if I ever want to push for paid subscriptions - even though I'm terrible at that lol. But I was struggling on thinking of what to offer, these are good ideas.
I'm so glad you found them useful :)
I've been toying with the idea of serialized fiction for some time now. I think the fiction community, including readers, will only grow here on Substack.
Completely agree! I’m excited for it ☺️
Interesting! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure :)
I'm not a fiction writer (yet?!) but as a lover of nineteenth-century fiction, I have considered this idea before and wondered what serialization would look like in today's culture. Writing serially looks different than writing a polished novel. I think it's an interesting premise, and I thought this was a fascinating read. Thanks for sharing!
I've been trying with the idea of serialized fiction for some time now. I think the fiction community, including readers, will only grow here on substack.
Im two months in and about to hit 100 subscribers. So that was my target to take the guilty imposter syndrome step of starting paid subscription. Im going to add episodic commentary, a paid subscription only story and the opportunity to contribute to my story.
We'll see how it goes........
"authors who self publish only ever making between 5% and 15% of the sales price on most platforms." That's grim. I suppose that's why some authors prefer to sell 'direct'.
I’m surprised people want so much extra content. What ever happened to the story being enough and yall taking your fan fiction from there? 😩😂 but thank you for putting this all together and doing all this research!!
Thanks, Megan, for the deep dive. I started here in February. Having been a screenwriter and novelist, I have plenty of material to provide in serial format. I’m more interested in building my audience at the moment rather than making money off my newsletter. But I am planning to digitally sell Cine Novels, unproduced screenplays as standalone works of literature through Substack. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Something worth mentioning too is the entourage effect of serializing fiction. I have a good amount of free content and the bulk of my content is paid. But even though the paid posts have lower engagement, they lead to an increase in eBook sales off platform. Free feel to reach out if you have questions.
This is so helpful! It inspired me to think more about my serial origin story from ten years ago, and whether that could be a way to connect with authors/readers on Substack, too!
PDFs of each episode behind the paywall. Full book there once complete.
I'm in the early stages of researching serializing on Substack. This was sooo helpful! I have a fiction novel that reads like a memoir, and the idea of growing a community around the experience of sharing feels exciting. Thanks for taking the time to weigh these options and share! Lots to think about 🤔🥰
💜 ~ e