The digital revolution has permanently transformed the world of publishing and given us access to novels from nearly every electronic device thrown our way. Whether you choose to read on the Nook, Kindle, iPad, or smartphone, you have untethered access to a mountain of unassailable content. How can you even find time to finish just one?
While the art of the written word will always have the novel, I think a new approach is needed for this new age of digital reading. Everyone loves a good story, but few really want to put in the effort required to sit through an entire novel. Well, I have the solution.
About a year ago, my good friend B.L. White came up with an idea of breaking down an epic story into smaller, self-contained episodes that would be quicker to write and get out to readers. This may not be a new concept, but it is one that should be revived since the digital platform is perfect for it. Why wait for a whole novel to be finished when we, the authors, can write the same story inside episodic bites for you to digest throughout the year?
I Shall Not Rest in Peace is the first episode in White’s Void Voyage series. Clocking in at around 33K words, it will take the average person about three hours to read. That is much more manageable for a time-constrained reader than something like George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones. Plus, you still get the benefit of an epic storyline as more episodes are released.
I’m not quite as wordy as White, so episodes in my own series, Supremacy: Reformation, average 10K words, allowing you to read each of them in about an hour. Now, I’m sure everyone has an hour to spare this week to enjoy a good story. Besides, what else are you going to do? Watch a couple episodes of Teem Mom and Jersey Shore?
Void Voyage and Supremacy: Reformation can both fit into your hectic schedule. Just grab your digital device of choice and download them!
Buy Episode 1 of Supremacy: Reformation:
Buy Void Voyage 1: I Shall Not Rest in Peace:
The episode concept isn’t new at all, but you’re right in that it deserves a reformation with the advent of e-readers! It’s a great way to get a new, bite sized introduction to a story. The danger would be that if 1 episode wasn’t amazing, it could be enough to turn the reader off of the rest: but I suppose that’s always a danger.
That is why it is so important to stay attuned to the desires of the readers. After all, they are the reason that writers write.
I’ve seen some disparaging Amazon.com remarks for short stories and similar. And that’s really the only thing working against such a fantastic “revival” idea such as this. If readers were in “episodic” mindsets, this would work brilliantly. Now you’ve given me something new to ponder. 🙂
My eyes appreciate shorter reads on my iphone, so I can see where this idea could work. From what I found, you only have 2 episodes out. Can you write fast enough to keep readers interested?
That’s a good question. I don’t think anyone can write fast enough for readers. I just hope I write faster than George R.R. Martin.
Sounds good to me. However, I feel that making the first episode available as a free download would make the concept catch on faster. The ability to go into a bookstore and read as much or as little before buying allows for the readers to assess if the cost of the book fits their idea of the books value. A good free first episode is likely to make me purchase the subsequent ones.
I had thought about that, but decided that a free sample would be enough to entice readers. Maybe I’ll rethink that logic and try out the free episode once I get a few more published.
Ahh, I hadn’t had the chance to check out the sample.
Will do.