Serial Novels Past and Present

The serialization of novels began in the 19th century and has continued until present day. The publication of novels in a series, called serial novels, actually started when installments of stories were printed piecemeal in newspapers and magazines during the 1800s. The earliest process of serialization might best be called “chapterization.” Today, some serialized novels are published in chapters and posted on author web pages on a weekly or monthly basis.

Because of the era when they began, serial novels are sometimes referred to as Victorian novels or Victorian serials. Victorian novels of the period evoked Victorian life. One of the first authors to use serial publication was Charles Dickens (1812-1870). Most of Dickens' major works were serialized or “chapterized” before they were later formally published as books. For example, the following novels were pre-published in segments during the years noted: Pickwick Papers (1836-37), Oliver Twist (1837-39), Nicholas Nickleby (1838-39), David Copperfield (1849-50) and Great Expectations (1860-61).

The Scottish physician and author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), published his Sherlock Holmes detective series in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. His first novel, A Study in Scarlet was published in 1887. Doyle's 50-plus stories and multiple novels feature his main character, Sherlock Holmes, and his friend Dr. Watson. Anthologies of Sherlock Holmes tales initially published in Strand magazine, were later formally republished in several different volumes. These include the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1891), The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1893), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905) and The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (1927).

Why Serial Novels Sell

Serial novels have many inherent advantages for book readers, writers, publishers and sellers. Book publishers and bookstores like the proven marketability of serial novels and serial characters by established authors. Many people enjoy reading serial novels and return to the genre time and time again for its many positive characteristics. Serial novels are popular with readers and some serial authors and characters have developed cult-like followings of readership. Reading serial novels is like eating comfort foods. It just makes you feel good! Serial novels are a very flexible form of art in comparison to the singular novel. The serialized format allows authors many liberties compared to stand-alone novels. The depth of character development in serial novels is important to people's appreciation of them. Readers like the repetition, recapitulation and recall aspects that pertain to serial-novel stories and story lines. They feel like they belong to an "inner circle" of knowing that is uniquely afforded to them as they read serial novels. Readers are able to feel more a part of the lives of the characters of serial novels. Plots and subplots that carry through from novel to novel also appeal to readers. There are typically some minor, off-beat, idiosyncratic characters that repeat and sometimes make memorable cameo appearances in multiple novels. In short, serial novels are fun and serial novels sell!

Challenges for Readers of Serial Novels

Despite their many positive characteristics and advantages, reading serial novels can be challenging for those who desire to read them. Book writers/authors, publishers/printers and sellers/stores can all do more to make reading serial novels easier.

Authors' own personal websites and web pages need to highlight information on their serial novel sets. Finding accurate chronological lists of novels written and published in an ordered series can be difficult. Authors' websites should post chronological lists of their serial books indicating the specific order in which they are to be read.

Except until recent years, publishers have also seldom published reliable chronological lists of authors' serial novels on jackets, inside covers or other prominent locations within books. This makes it difficult for readers to read books in the order they were written and intended to be read. Publishers should consider re-publishing limited editions of out-of-print serial novels to complete serial sets for readers who desire them. It is difficult to purchase a series of novels, many or at least some of which, may have been published 10, 20 or even 30 years ago. Older books are out-of-print and must be purchased on the second-hand, used-book market, oftentimes from individual re-sellers. Needless to say, it can be expensive buying 20 or more books in a novel series. Individual books of a series may need to be purchased from disparate private sellers in any number of locations necessitating expensive and repetitive shipping charges.

Bookstores and other booksellers do a poor job of marketing serial novels to readers who might be interested in reading them. They need to do a better job of publicizing information on the serial-novel sets of various authors. They might set up reading centers or special carrels for an individual author's serial collection. They should develop sales banners and posters that highlight chronological/ordered lists of author's serial-novel sets. Stores should maintain and re-fill shelves with “banked” copies of serial novels in high demand. They could offer packaged sets of serial-novel sets or partial sets at discount prices for those willing to buy in bulk.

A universal rating system for used books on the re-sell market should be developed that takes in more factors that may be important to prospective readers. The quality of books on the re-sell market is very subjective and is generally difficult for buyers to ascertain. For example, books which have been previously read by smokers continue to reek of cigarette smoke odors and fumes years after they were read by their original owners. As such, an additional descriptive factor for the re-sale of used books should be their classification as “smoker's” or “non-smoker's” copies for discriminating potential purchasers.

Examples of Serial Novel Sets

There are too many authors of serial novels to recount all of them here. However, several serial-novel collections are recommended. These include: (1) Sarah Andrews, author of the Em Hansen Mystery series; (2) Michael Connelly, author of the LAPD detective Harry Bosch series; (3) Clive Cussler and his sometimes coauthors-authors of the Dirk Pitt series and the Kurt Austin series; (4) Tony Hillerman, author of the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Mystery series; (5) Larry McMurtry, author of the Berrybender Narrative series; (6) James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross series; (7) Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, authors of the Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast and Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta series; (8) John Sandford (pseudonym of John Camp), author of the Prey series featuring detective Lucas Davenport; (9) Wilbur Smith, author of at least three separate series-the Egyptian series recounting the story of Taita the Warlock, the Ballantyne series and the Courtney series.

Author: Sarah Andrews

Series: Em Hansen Mystery Series

Chronologically Ordered Serial Novels:

1. Tensleep (1994)
2. A Fall in Denver (1995)
3. Mother Nature (1997)
4. Only Flesh & Bones (1998)
5. Bone Hunter (2000)
6. An Eye for Gold (2001)
7. Fault Line (2002)
8. Killer Dust (2003)
9. Earth Colors (2004)
10. Dead Dry (2005)

Author: Michael Connelly

Series: Harry Bosch Series

Chronologically Ordered Serial Novels:

1. The Black Echo (1992)
2. The Black Ice (1993)
3. The Concrete Blonde (1994)
4. The Last Coyote (1995)
5. Trunk Music (1997)
6. Angels Flight (1997)
7. A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
8. City of Bones (2002)
9. Lost Night (2003)
10. The Narrows (2004)
11. The Closers (2005)
12. Echo Park (2006)
13. The Overlook (2007)