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A single long one or turn it into a series

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Twisted_Skald
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
I have a question I'd like to get some advice on.
The demented tale I have for the comp is way over length even with trimming so thought I'd ask a question here.
So far at 8k words and not done so is it better to run it as a single long story or chop it into installments and run it as a series.
I've only 1 verified submission so wanted to hear is it harder to get a series verified instead or a single story?

Whatever was posted is always meant in love and respect never to offend.
I'm also highly likely to have posted this from a phone so there may be typos or odd word changes, auto correct can be a pain.

I've been listening to my kinky pencil here's my current work
sprite
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Twisted_Skald
I have a question I'd like to get some advice on.
The demented tale I have for the comp is way over length even with trimming so thought I'd ask a question here.
So far at 8k words and not done so is it better to run it as a single long story or chop it into installments and run it as a series.
I've only 1 verified submission so wanted to hear is it harder to get a series verified instead or a single story?


Hi Michelle,

My advice is to run it as a single story. admittedly, sometimes people tend to skip over longer stories. that said, Lush seems to follow the rules of diminishing returns. usually a sequel or sequels will get less reads than the original. just the nature of the beast, especially if you're a newer writer.

also, since the turn around time is a little slow, those without gold memberships (not an issue for you) might end up having their stories come out several days apart, which also does the same for readership. as long as it doesn't go over 10k, i'd do it in one - also, from my own perspective, i tend to like longer stories. smile

hope that helps.

You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
Twisted_Skald
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Quote by sprite


Hi Michelle,

My advice is to run it as a single story. admittedly, sometimes people tend to skip over longer stories. that said, Lush seems to follow the rules of diminishing returns. usually a sequel or sequels will get less reads than the original. just the nature of the beast, especially if you're a newer writer.

also, since the turn around time is a little slow, those without gold memberships (not an issue for you) might end up having their stories come out several days apart, which also does the same for readership. as long as it doesn't go over 10k, i'd do it in one - also, from my own perspective, i tend to like longer stories. smile

hope that helps.

Sprite, it's exactly what I needed to know.

Whatever was posted is always meant in love and respect never to offend.
I'm also highly likely to have posted this from a phone so there may be typos or odd word changes, auto correct can be a pain.

I've been listening to my kinky pencil here's my current work
darkroot50
Active Ink Slinger
Just my 2 cents but I won't read a story that gets up to 7, 8, 9 thousand words or more. I'd rather read a story that 3-4 thousand words and then read a sequel if I like it. I can always stop reading a series (like Sprite said) and I do.
sprite
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by darkroot50
Just my 2 cents but I won't read a story that gets up to 7, 8, 9 thousand words or more. I'd rather read a story that 3-4 thousand words and then read a sequel if I like it. I can always stop reading a series (like Sprite said) and I do.


Obviously, there is more than one opinion. It's really personal preference and there's no right or wrong answer. (that said, i am always right. ask anyone lol).

You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
Twisted_Skald
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
This is why I wanted to ask the question, far better to know what you're getting into instead of just blindly jumping into something.
I really do want to hear all sides to this so I have some solid information to base my decision on.

Whatever was posted is always meant in love and respect never to offend.
I'm also highly likely to have posted this from a phone so there may be typos or odd word changes, auto correct can be a pain.

I've been listening to my kinky pencil here's my current work
Verbal
Gravelly-Voiced Fucker
Series do have dwindling returns with each successive chapter (I had a 45 story series of flash pieces up here for a long time, and audience diminished with each new story for a bit, then leveled out), but I don't know if that's a bad thing. The ones that do show up to read the new chapters are the loyal fans of your series, and your CORE audience. You might not have gotten them to read it if you'd published as a 10k story.

Do what suits the story best, and let the audience react however they react.
Unknown User
Coincidentally, just today I've posted a 10K word story.

Ideally, I would have preferred to split it into two parts, but there was only the promise of sex in the first part so doubt many folks would have pursued part II.


A series is a great way for a writer to see how people are enjoying their writing. Like others have said, there will always be a drop off after the first installment. This shows that a lot of the read-count is merely people just taking a peak. But if you can get a cadre of readers to stay with it, you'll know you're doing something right.
Twisted_Skald
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Thank you Darkroot, Verbal and Luca, very valuable feedback.
It's one of the things I love about lush, you can ask these questions and genuine responses.
As a new writer here I need to learn from the experience and wisdom of my peers.
Maybe I need to write more shorter pieces to build the brand before launched into longer works.

Whatever was posted is always meant in love and respect never to offend.
I'm also highly likely to have posted this from a phone so there may be typos or odd word changes, auto correct can be a pain.

I've been listening to my kinky pencil here's my current work
KimmiBeGood
Simple Scribbler
For me, I prefer to break longer stories up. I rarely write over 4000 words. But, my series usually don't run long either ... maybe 4 chapters. I am just not wired for the long ones right now. I think you just need to follow your gut on each story. I have readers who tell me they like that I write shorter ones. Others tell me to write longer. You will find a mix on here. I have had no-sex first chapters, but you better leave the reader with some sort of cliffhanger/teaser or they won't be back.

Kindness is contagious. Spread it! ❤️
CuriousAnnie
Best down-under
The other Annie (the naughty one!) series may be a guide, views of the first and last chapter are similar so she held her readership:

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/novels/-the-postulants-tale-chapter-one-.aspx

I think breaking it up worked so well in this case, even though all six chapters could have been combined under the 10,000 word limit. I actually found it more accessible as I could read a chapter when I had a spare few minutes, whereas I wouldn't start a longer story knowing I didnt have time to finish in one sitting,

I have never broken a story up, unless forced to by the word limit. But Annie's story has made me reconsider one I am writing which is effectively in seven parts. I was going to publish as one but maybe not.

Do check out my latest story: Emma's Examinations

And my other stories, including 5 EPs, 24 RR's, and 15 competition top 10's including my pride competition winner: On Oxford Street, This Gay Girl Found Pride While Playing With Balls
Unknown User
A long, well written story is best.
utterchaos
The Horrors Persist
I recommend releasing it as one story in this case. As a series writer who has surpassed 20 chapters, I can say that you will get less readers than on a one off. You will however gain a group of readers who'll love the series and will read everything and potentially chat to you about it and that will spur you on, regardless of the falling numbers. It really depends on what you prefer. I personally prefer having less readers, but having the ones I do have excited about what comes next which can only happen with a series.
CarltonStJames
Trust people to be themselves...
It's a gamble because I see a lot of those 7K and up stories having low votes and comments. A series as others have mentioned tend to level out, but you would at least catch people's interest with a short first installment.

Island Getaway Comp(2nd place): Fucked In The Head

My last published story: Deliciously Assumptious
Twisted_Skald
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
I love you beautiful people. I ask this little question and so much honest feedback arrives.
I admire each of you so much, and I appreciate the time you took to share your answers.
Much love to you all, and I'm still open to any comments.
You understand the way things work out here much better than I.

Whatever was posted is always meant in love and respect never to offend.
I'm also highly likely to have posted this from a phone so there may be typos or odd word changes, auto correct can be a pain.

I've been listening to my kinky pencil here's my current work
KimmiBeGood
Simple Scribbler
Just another tidbit ... I think more important than whether a story is kept together or broken into pieces is a catchy title! Especially for new authors wanting to be noticed and read. You are vying for attention amidst a slew of stories published around you. I promise you a catchy or super hot title will help bring readers to your story.

Kindness is contagious. Spread it! ❤️
sprite
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by KimmiBeGood
Just another tidbit ... I think more important than whether a story is kept together or broken into pieces is a catchy title! Especially for new authors wanting to be noticed and read. You are vying for attention amidst a slew of stories published around you. I promise you a catchy or super hot title will help bring readers to your story.


This. I'm terrible with titles, mostly. That said, Kimmi first drew my attention to her work with the tittles. They just kind of scream out "read me'! Always very clever and enticing. smile

You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
KimmiBeGood
Simple Scribbler
Quote by sprite


This. I'm terrible with titles, mostly. That said, Kimmi first drew my attention to her work with the tittles. They just kind of scream out "read me'! Always very clever and enticing. smile


Thank you! I usually start with the title and go from there.

Kindness is contagious. Spread it! ❤️
sprite
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by KimmiBeGood


Thank you! I usually start with the title and go from there.


you need to give lessons. I'm serious. or maybe i can just hire you to do titles for me. lol

You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
PJH
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by sprite


Hi Michelle,

My advice is to run it as a single story. admittedly, sometimes people tend to skip over longer stories. that said, Lush seems to follow the rules of diminishing returns. usually a sequel or sequels will get less reads than the original. just the nature of the beast, especially if you're a newer writer.

also, since the turn around time is a little slow, those without gold memberships (not an issue for you) might end up having their stories come out several days apart, which also does the same for readership. as long as it doesn't go over 10k, i'd do it in one - also, from my own perspective, i tend to like longer stories. smile

hope that helps.


This is interesting because I am only eight months (and eighty-eight stories) into my Lush 'career' but the way I write stories I almost invariably leave the possibility of a sequel.

My stories are generally longer now than they were when I started but still only run to about three thousand words maximum.

I have recently completed what became a ten-part series starting with 'The Girl Next Door' although my original intention was only for maybe three parts but new ideas kept coming into my head and the story/series evolved.

As it stands at this moment it is part eight of the series that actually has the most views.

The turn around time is a very good point because I think there was a nine-day gap between two parts of the series although I have just had a story appear onsite less than twenty-four hours after submission.
naughtyannie
God Empress of Lush
Quote by CuriousAnnie
The other Annie (the naughty one!) series may be a guide, views of the first and last chapter are similar so she held her readership:

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/novels/-the-postulants-tale-chapter-one-.aspx

I think breaking it up worked so well in this case, even though all six chapters could have been combined under the 10,000 word limit. I actually found it more accessible as I could read a chapter when I had a spare few minutes, whereas I wouldn't start a longer story knowing I didn't have time to finish in one sitting,

I have never broken a story up, unless forced to by the word limit. But Annie's story has made me reconsider one I am writing which is effectively in seven parts. I was going to publish as one but maybe not.


Thanks, CuriousAnnie, for your analysis - and your confirmation that in this case breaking it down into six short chapters worked.

One of the reasons it worked for this story, I think, was because the "story arc" involved a series of small steps, as the heroine's relationship with the hero developed a little bit at a time. I could have submitted the whole thing as one story, but it would have seemed like a roller-coaster, with a lot of little peaks along the way. I'm not sure that would have worked for a sex story, where you want to arouse your reader slowly and gradually, but in one steady pulse, building to a single climax.

Relating that to your original question, I think it does depend on the "arc" of your story. If you're building to a single climax, then submitting in one 10,000 word piece might be best.

That said, I've never submitted anything longer than 7,000 words without splitting it into shorter parts.

That may also because we Millennials have famously short attention spans. ;)

Why not join my popular Lush Group One Tit Out Group | Lush Stories? For all those who enjoy pictures of women showing just one boob. Lots of cheeky flashes and accidental slips. Come on, you know you want to! Annie xxx
Twisted_Skald
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Loving the contributions to this little conversation, lots of valuable advice, great tips. Thank you so very much

Whatever was posted is always meant in love and respect never to offend.
I'm also highly likely to have posted this from a phone so there may be typos or odd word changes, auto correct can be a pain.

I've been listening to my kinky pencil here's my current work