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katje's reviews
565 reviews
Beyond Book One: How to Plan and Publish a Successful Fictional Series by Lewis Jorstad
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Great, now I have more ideas than time. Thanks Lewis!
WARNING: this book will give you plenty of ideas for new series, or how to take that little story idea you've been tinkering with and turn it into something a little more epic.
Which is great! (Except I have 13,000 WIPs that are all glaring at me now as I get distracted by shiny plot bunnies. Thanks a lot, Lewis!)
This book is honestly great. I mean, I love Lewis' stuff already so maybe I'm biased, but I truly think this is a must read if you are:
1. thinking about doing a series
2. have already done a series but don't really understand the different types there are
3. have standalones but keep being told you "should" do a series
Oh, and if you're an author. That's step one. Missed that one.
What I loved about this book is that it clarified the different types of series that exist and helped me find the words to FINALLY DESCRIBE my weird, non-sequential-but-kind-of?? epic fantasy series (which I'm currently in the middle of relaunching, so perfect timing). I didn't have the words before reading this book, but now I know it's an anthology series centered around a certain theme (mortal protagonists chosen by the gods) with a strongly suggested reading order and mini-series within the larger one.
Before if you asked me what it was I'd just sort of look confused, grunt, and gesture in its general direction. Now I still look confused, but I have WORDS that belie the level of my bemusement.
But that's not all that's in this book. Lewis also gives you instructions on how to plot a series (including an entire chapter dedicated to the most popular series type, the trilogy), tips on the writing process & staying organized (I knew about series bibles but his ideas on keeping a progress/writing log or journal were fresh!), how to market your series to keep it alive, and even how to handle the death of a series.
My favourite part, however, is how Lewis says you need to remain faithful to what *your story* needs. Some stories *are standalones* and you shouldn't try to force a series out of them, but some need more books in the telling. He talks about how to gauge what your story needs and figure out if it's a one-book story or more -- as well as how to figure out where you might be stuffing too much into one book, or stretching a story over more books than it needs, and ideas on how to solve it if you are.
I'm a big believer in being true to *the story* above all else, so I'm in complete agreement with Lewis here.
Anyway, why are you still reading my ramble? GET THE BOOK! Or, you know. Whatever. I'm not your supervisor.
PS:
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own -- in case it wasn't obvious. ;)
WARNING: this book will give you plenty of ideas for new series, or how to take that little story idea you've been tinkering with and turn it into something a little more epic.
Which is great! (Except I have 13,000 WIPs that are all glaring at me now as I get distracted by shiny plot bunnies. Thanks a lot, Lewis!)
This book is honestly great. I mean, I love Lewis' stuff already so maybe I'm biased, but I truly think this is a must read if you are:
1. thinking about doing a series
2. have already done a series but don't really understand the different types there are
3. have standalones but keep being told you "should" do a series
Oh, and if you're an author. That's step one. Missed that one.
What I loved about this book is that it clarified the different types of series that exist and helped me find the words to FINALLY DESCRIBE my weird, non-sequential-but-kind-of?? epic fantasy series (which I'm currently in the middle of relaunching, so perfect timing). I didn't have the words before reading this book, but now I know it's an anthology series centered around a certain theme (mortal protagonists chosen by the gods) with a strongly suggested reading order and mini-series within the larger one.
Before if you asked me what it was I'd just sort of look confused, grunt, and gesture in its general direction. Now I still look confused, but I have WORDS that belie the level of my bemusement.
But that's not all that's in this book. Lewis also gives you instructions on how to plot a series (including an entire chapter dedicated to the most popular series type, the trilogy), tips on the writing process & staying organized (I knew about series bibles but his ideas on keeping a progress/writing log or journal were fresh!), how to market your series to keep it alive, and even how to handle the death of a series.
My favourite part, however, is how Lewis says you need to remain faithful to what *your story* needs. Some stories *are standalones* and you shouldn't try to force a series out of them, but some need more books in the telling. He talks about how to gauge what your story needs and figure out if it's a one-book story or more -- as well as how to figure out where you might be stuffing too much into one book, or stretching a story over more books than it needs, and ideas on how to solve it if you are.
I'm a big believer in being true to *the story* above all else, so I'm in complete agreement with Lewis here.
Anyway, why are you still reading my ramble? GET THE BOOK! Or, you know. Whatever. I'm not your supervisor.
PS:
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own -- in case it wasn't obvious. ;)
Deathbringer: The Spellswords Saga: Book One by Michael Gallagher
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Sword & sorcery, well-done matriarchal society, believable heroine on an epic quest of vengeance...what's not to love?
Now I just need to wait for the sequel...
Now I just need to wait for the sequel...