To publish a breakout serial novel or memoir, remember that serialization is its own medium. Serialization requires a different writing process and approach. How to use the Running Plot Narrative and Charles Dicken's notes to help.
ME! Because Publisher's Weekly said my memoir PET TRACKER has "Grisham-like suspense" and Booklist called it "Engrossing" when it was first published in 2004 (under the title "The Lost Pet Chronicles"). But that version did not sell, went out of print, and I fell into a depression for 20 years and did not write. But here I am, revising it, adding new stories, and including photos and videos I never could share when it was a physical book. I did not write the book to make money--I wrote it to inspire others! Back (in 1996) when I first had the idea to train my police dogs to track lost pets, I was told I was "having a pipe dream" if I thought I could make a living as a pet detective. Today, I operate the first (and only) pet detective academy (all training is online at www.missinganimalresponse.com) where I've trained hundreds of other pet trackers across North America and worldwide. I want my book to encourage others like myself to PIONEER NEW THINGS, in spite of the naysayers who perhaps can't understand the risks that some of us dreamers are willing to take in order to BRING ABOUT CHANGE In this world!
I know I have a bestseller in me, yet the kind of person I am and the vulnerable material I’m writing has me sitting on my writing project for years. Serialization provides me with the opportunity to publish as I go and (hopefully) build a supportive community as I go along.
Your Substack (this one) gave me the idea and the motivation to stop “working on my book” and start serializing.
Truth is, I have been studying storytelling since 2009 (started with Blake Dundee’s save the cat) and I must have dozens and dozens of outlines. Yet, I have never looked at my project from a serialization perspective. I’m super intrigued and curious to see how my own-created-for-myself structure could work for serialization. Heck, maybe it’s made for it!
Anyway, the truth is, these days - I’m binging on your material and Brene Brown’s.
I have already set up my Substack, written the description 😅 and I am finalizing an event ladder on the story that I really, really don’t want to tell, but I feel like I have to...
Thank you for the encouragement, coaching, and ongoing support. Maybe you can create a thread for us to share our Substacks for community support, so it doesn’t feel like we are self-promoting on yours.
That’s all so amazing to hear! I’m sending you all my support.
You made my day.
I will set up a community thread this afternoon.
I also want to spotlight members’ serializations in regular posts, so let me know if you’re interested a little further down the road—once posting feels like second nature, which it will! mssarahfay1516@gmail.com
ME! Because Publisher's Weekly said my memoir PET TRACKER has "Grisham-like suspense" and Booklist called it "Engrossing" when it was first published in 2004 (under the title "The Lost Pet Chronicles"). But that version did not sell, went out of print, and I fell into a depression for 20 years and did not write. But here I am, revising it, adding new stories, and including photos and videos I never could share when it was a physical book. I did not write the book to make money--I wrote it to inspire others! Back (in 1996) when I first had the idea to train my police dogs to track lost pets, I was told I was "having a pipe dream" if I thought I could make a living as a pet detective. Today, I operate the first (and only) pet detective academy (all training is online at www.missinganimalresponse.com) where I've trained hundreds of other pet trackers across North America and worldwide. I want my book to encourage others like myself to PIONEER NEW THINGS, in spite of the naysayers who perhaps can't understand the risks that some of us dreamers are willing to take in order to BRING ABOUT CHANGE In this world!
That’s great!
Your posts make me want to read Dickens again. Thanks for teaching with his work as a guide.
Of course ✨🫶🏻 and thank you!
That’s my intention Sarah!
I know I have a bestseller in me, yet the kind of person I am and the vulnerable material I’m writing has me sitting on my writing project for years. Serialization provides me with the opportunity to publish as I go and (hopefully) build a supportive community as I go along.
Your Substack (this one) gave me the idea and the motivation to stop “working on my book” and start serializing.
Truth is, I have been studying storytelling since 2009 (started with Blake Dundee’s save the cat) and I must have dozens and dozens of outlines. Yet, I have never looked at my project from a serialization perspective. I’m super intrigued and curious to see how my own-created-for-myself structure could work for serialization. Heck, maybe it’s made for it!
Anyway, the truth is, these days - I’m binging on your material and Brene Brown’s.
I have already set up my Substack, written the description 😅 and I am finalizing an event ladder on the story that I really, really don’t want to tell, but I feel like I have to...
Thank you for the encouragement, coaching, and ongoing support. Maybe you can create a thread for us to share our Substacks for community support, so it doesn’t feel like we are self-promoting on yours.
That’s all so amazing to hear! I’m sending you all my support.
You made my day.
I will set up a community thread this afternoon.
I also want to spotlight members’ serializations in regular posts, so let me know if you’re interested a little further down the road—once posting feels like second nature, which it will! mssarahfay1516@gmail.com