Serializing Until They Burn
I wrote to you last month about everything I’m learning, doing, and working on for the rest of the year, including serializing my never-before-published writing fiction to heal book, Until They Burn.
I’ve written a lot about this book. So much so that I created a “case study” ebook from it. I never intended to publish Until They Burn — I always thought of it as “my special book” that I dare not share in the efforts of keeping it pure. But as I’ve talked about it so much through my Writing Fiction to Heal work (I mean, it’s the basis for all my work around the Writing Fiction to Heal framework!) I’ve found myself going back to it the last few months.
I realized through my re-reads that my fear of putting it out there wasn’t so much about my feelings changing around it — it was the fear of being seen around it. It’s one thing to talk about concepts, theories, and decisions made to bring my Writing Fiction to Heal framework into context. But it’s another thing to publish a full-length novel for the world to see.
The longer I sat with the idea of publishing it, the more I felt like I needed to. One is to show all my clients and students that I walk the walk and talk the talk. Second, it feels more right now than it ever has. I wasn’t ready to share it with the world before, but I am now.
Doing Things Differently
Instead of writing, editing, revising, and publishing on a linear path like I (and many other authors) have in the past, I decided to try something different with this book. Actually, with most of my future books. As the publishing and creator economy has changed so much, there are now more options than ever before to get our work into the hands of readers. The past few years, I’ve studied the publishing landscape and always favored the serialization approach. (I even did it before it was cool — back in 2013, I was sending my newsletter subscribers serialized chapters of a now-defunct novel, Things We Never Say. What can I say — I like being ahead of the trends!)
Given the new technology and how it can enhance and complement the work that creators are bringing to the table, I decided it was time to try something new.
That’s why, starting August 1, 2023, I’ll be serializing Until They Burn.
What Does This Mean and What Are the Benefits?
Serializing fiction is exactly what it sounds like — the chapters are released on a schedule to consume. Now, serializing fiction isn’t a new thing… Dickens was doing it back in his day. And many authors have serialized their works ever since.
What’s different about the approach in modern society is the options we have in our serialized approach.
For example — the chapters of Until They Burn I will be publishing are considered Early Release Drafts — meaning those who are subscribed to read them are getting the FIRST and most vulnerable chapters. It means that subscribers get to read the novel BEFORE it ever goes to “print,” so to speak. If you’ve ever enjoyed being a beta reader or an “early reader,” than you know how incredibly cool and powerful this is.
This dovetails beautifully into the benefits of serializing early-release books.
Readers who get these early chapters will get an inside look at the writing process and information about the book that won’t be anywhere else. Because of the technology available, I can bring my readers inside my head and the book in a deeper, more engaged way.
Readers get to co-collaborate with the author. Unlike other publishing approaches, serializing offers readers a chance to help the author create their story with their feedback in mind. And as an author, getting reader feedback early in the process of publishing means we get to take that feedback and incorporate what works before it hits the mass public. This is a win-win for both the author and the reader.
More engagement and interactions between readers and authors. This is actually one of my favorite aspects of the technology built for serialization. I get to involve my readers in the writing world and conversations that may have never been possible elsewhere. Readers who sign up to get my chapters get special attention and goodies, and it’s a really fun way to reward readers who are actively engaged with the book and with me. It’s a special community, so I treat my readers like the special people they are!
Reader supported! I cannot stress enough how much the world is changing in regard to the creator economy. Now, more than ever, it’s important for creators to take back the control that gatekeepers (like publishers and booksellers/bookstores) have used to decide who gets to read what, when, and for how much. Authors get pushed to the sidelines in these situations, often making most of the money for their agents or publishers while making very little in return (unless you’re an author with a huge name and marketing team behind you). By taking control and serializing fiction (just as with self-publishing), the control rests with the creator. By serializing fiction, creators take that one step further by offering value for value. You, the reader, support your favorite authors so they can continue offering you great stories. It’s how things should have always been done, in my opinion.
Great! How do I Sign Up?
First, head over to www.reamstories.com and create a free account. Once you have an account, go to my “profile” page here.
You’ll see that there are multiple tiers available, and which one you choose is completely dependent on what kind of experience you’re looking for! I’ve made it super easy for you to see what each tier will provide + it’s easy peasy to switch tier levels if you want.
Just a note that The “Founding Patron” Tier is limited to 10 people, and it’s a great deal for anyone who wants to support me as an author and wants access to all my books + more.
So there you have it — all the information you need to become one of my early readers as I start serializing Until They Burn in August. I sincerely hope you’ll join me for this next adventure because there’s nothing I’m more passionate about than telling stories and inspiring others to tell their own.
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P.S. I’m documenting this whole experience of serializing Until They Burn in my Rebel MFA Sanctuary for my community members. So if you’re more interested in how I’m doing it, why I’m doing it, how it’s going, and more — then consider joining us in the Sanctuary!
