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A Storytelling Revolution: Inside the World of Serialized Fiction

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Jan 22, 2025

Guest

Seth Ring

Join bestselling author Seth Ring, known for his 25+ fantasy works and co-hosting the World Craft Club podcast. He shares fascinating insights on serialized fiction, revealing how it has shaped his writing career and community engagement. Discover the unique benefits of writing in installments, the interplay of reader feedback, and the rise of platforms like Wattpad and Royal Road. Seth also discusses how serialized storytelling is revolutionizing publishing, making it a vital avenue for aspiring writers.

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ANECDOTE

Seth Ring's Serial Fiction Journey

Seth Ring started with serialized fiction as a fan on Royal Road, initially writing fanfiction.
He transitioned to Patreon and Amazon after gaining millions of reads on his original stories.

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INSIGHT

Leaderboard Advantage

Sites like Wattpad and Royal Road utilize leaderboards, benefiting from the Pareto distribution.
Increased visibility on these platforms can significantly boost readership and address platform discoverability issues.

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ADVICE

Building Community Through Video Responses

Reply to social media comments with personalized videos to build community.
This shows readers they are valued and fosters a stronger connection.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

From Fan to Author: The Journey into Serialized Storytelling

02:04 • 4min

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Navigating Reader Engagement in Serialized Fiction

06:33 • 4min

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Building Community Through Personal Connections

10:10 • 4min

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Navigating Serialized Fiction

14:25 • 24min

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Crafting Serialized Stories: Feedback and Evolution

38:33 • 13min

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The Importance of Reader Feedback in Serialized Fiction

This collection includes several of Robert E. Howard's stories about Conan the Barbarian, a fictional sword and sorcery hero. The stories were originally published in pulp magazines, particularly in *Weird Tales*, starting in December 1932. Conan, a Cimmerian warrior, is known for his bravery, chivalry, and straightforward code of conduct. The stories are set in the fictional Hyborian Age, a world created by Howard, and feature Conan's adventures as a warrior, pirate, and king.

Dracula

Bram Stoker

The novel tells the story of Count Dracula, a vampire who moves from Transylvania to England to spread terror and create more vampires. The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, who travels to Transylvania to finalize the sale of a property to Count Dracula. Upon discovering Dracula's true nature, Harker barely escapes with his life. Dracula then travels to England, where he targets Harker's fiancée, Mina, and her friend Lucy. A group of characters, including Professor Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Quincey Morris, band together to hunt down and destroy Dracula. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, modernity vs. tradition, and the fears and anxieties of the Victorian era, including immigration, sexual desire, and the role of women in society.

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Great Expectations is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that chronicles the life of Pip, a young orphan living in the marshes of Kent. The story begins with Pip's encounter with an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, which sets off a chain of events that changes his life. Pip inherits a large fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which he uses to become a gentleman. However, his journey is marked by his unrequited love for Estella, the adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham, and his eventual discovery that his benefactor is not who he expected. The novel explores themes of social class, love, rejection, and the search for true identity, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England.

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott

Written by Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women' is a semi-autobiographical novel that details the lives of the March sisters in 1860s Massachusetts. The story is loosely based on Alcott's own childhood and that of her three sisters. It explores themes of domesticity, work, and true love, and is known for its portrayal of the sisters' distinct personalities and their struggles with societal expectations. The novel follows their experiences with poverty, illness, and personal growth, and it has been praised for its realistic and empathetic depiction of family life and the challenges faced by women during that era.

Les misérables

Victor Hugo

Les Misérables is a profound novel that delves into the lives of several characters, particularly Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who seeks redemption after being treated with kindness by a bishop. The novel critiques the social injustices of 19th-century France, including poverty, extreme social inequality, and a harsh prison system. It weaves historical events, such as the June Rebellion of 1832, into the narrative and emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and the inherent dignity of all people.

The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.

Dungeon Crawler Carl

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Matt Dinneman

The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy

Douglas Adams

The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished. He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android. The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'. The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.

The Hobbit

or There and Back Again

J.R.R Tolkien

Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.

Chain of Feathers

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Seth Ring

He Who Fights With Monsters

Tarzan of the Apes, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, is the first book in the Tarzan series. It tells the story of John Clayton, a baby who is orphaned in the African jungle and raised by gorillas. As he grows up, he discovers his human identity and navigates between his jungle home and the civilized world.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas père

Serialized fiction has been captivating readers for centuries, from nightly bedtime stories to Charles Dickens' Great Expectations to modern writers on platforms like Royal Road and Wattpad.
In this episode, I interview bestselling author Seth Ring, who shares how serialized fiction helped him write 25+ books, build a dedicated fanbase, hone his craft, and achieve financial success.
Discover:

The benefits of writing serialized stories
The key differences between Wattpad, Royal Road, and other serial writing platforms
What serialized fiction means for the future of publishing

Whether you’re curious about trying serialized fiction or wonder if your genre is a good fit, this conversation will give you insight and direction.
Blog & Audio Version
Listen in or check out the blog version to discover the methods and advantages of writing in installments for your readers.

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