Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Should CLEANER 1 Continue as a Serial?

Okay readers, this is the question of the hour...

Now that the book of Cleaner is available, should I continue posting the serial episodes or stop and skip to book 2? 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cleaner-Part-Dark-Tales-Transformation-ebook/dp/B00PO95688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416317924&sr=8-1&keywords=emma+finn+cleanerI guess there are three types of reader:

1) They won't buy the book and want to go on reading the free serial

2) They bought the book and want to get on to the next story

3) They bought the book but would go on following the serial too


Now, I could stop the Cleaner serial here and get straight on with Cleaner 2 (or potentially a different serial for a change).

I'm going to list the factors and then take a vote in the comments.

If you're the kind of reader or tends not to leave comments then you can always email me using the link above. If you don't get in touch then you won't be heard so do let me know your views..

So...

  • Right now I don't have any episodes written of Lady Ann, Cleaner 2 or Sixth Guest so it'll be a challenge to build up the momentum again - though possible.
  • I haven't outlined Cleaner 2 yet so might need a break anyway while I do that.
  • The book of Cleaner 1 isn't very expensive at all so I'm not screwing people over too much by not publishing the whole thing for free as planned.
  • If I go straight on with Cleaner 2 I won't be able to work on Eyes of the Hawk and A New You 2 as easily. That was what I was going to do next. I'll still write them but not as soon.
  • If I set a precedent where I stop releasing a serial when the book comes out then will people stop following the serials? 
  • If I don't continue with the serial then I miss out on getting comments (which is a great pleasure of mine) 
  • ... though I could evilly demand that I'll only go on writing Cleaner 2 if all followers leave a review on Amazon... (diabolical laughter)  


So basically, I'm in two minds. Let's hear what you have to say on the subject.  That may well sway me, one way or the other.
Posted by at

41 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 13:49

    Yes please continue with Cleaner, it is one of your very best stories. Finnfan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 14:28

      Do you mean I should continue book 1 as a serial?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 14:34

      More and more complicated by the minute.(I should have kept my mouth shut).
      BillA

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19 November 2014 at 17:13

      I think it should continue as a serial but end up as book. But if you are feeling exhausted please take a break, we don't want you to burn out! Finnfan

      Delete
    4. Emma Finn19 November 2014 at 18:48

      Your wish is my command.

      Delete
  2. Camille Langtry18 November 2014 at 14:58

    I think you should start on Cleaner 2. You've posted nearly 3/4 of the first one for free so those that don't want to buy it have no reason to complain. I am sure many of those that read the first part in full are with me on this. Saying that I want to read the rest of the story this minute will be a huge understatement. The original Cleaner was an old favorite of mine, but you've managed to turn it into one of the best transformation stories out there. It begs to be continued.

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  3. Dandelion18 November 2014 at 15:15

    I think you should continue to publish Cleaner until its conclusion for your loyal blog fans; even if they don't intend to buy the book some people might be very disappointed for it to stop online.

    The comments and discussion are surely worth continuing for and if you want to publish another serial as well, that could maybe be every other day?

    Plus what about readers coming to the blog in years to come? They may read it in its entirety plus the comments which I have done with some of your stories like One Thing Different and found it a wonderful pleasure x

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    Replies
    1. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 15:16

      Ah, the wonderful Dandelion returns at last and weighs in with a counter view that's hard to resist.

      It would be good to have a sufficient breather to get on with some more shorter stories for the compilations.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 19:55

      I think i agree with Dandelion despite desperately wanting to read Cleaner book 2 as soon as possible. I enjoy the comments that others make and it will test my resolve if I don't inadvertently drop a spoiler into a comment on the later chapters.

      If nothing else, it will give you a bit of breathing space for your other projects. I proof/edit for a few writers who also write longer stories (the last was around 750 pages IIRC) and I'm retired but I don't know how you manage to be so prolific. I doubt if I could keep up with you just as a proof reader and still indulge my other, more practical hobbies.

      So, carry on as you are doing, I think and hope none of we book buyers let cats out of bags :) Much as I would like to write a positive review on Amazon Kindle it's difficult (impossible?) to do so anonymously, so I won't.

      Robyn H

      Delete
    3. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 20:16

      Thanks Robyn. You've made some good points (and a heroic sacrifice) there.

      Delete
  4. John18 November 2014 at 15:50

    "how dare you stop providing wonderful entertainment for free, when the exact same content is available for a nominal cost right this very second!" is a pretty hard argument to defend. that having been said, the loss of comments is sad, but the feedback function is lessened as the full text is complete. the main variable for me is what is most satisfying/workable for you? skipping the rest of cleaner 1 (with or without the summery post for those too chintzy to get the book) would wipe out your "buffer" is that a good thing, namely it forces you to redouble writing efforts or a bad thing, wipes out your margin of error at a time of stress compelling a dark period of no postings.

    as with most of my admittedly limited content advice, I say go with what works best for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 15:53

      Hmmm. My main thought against stopping is the increased pressure just when I was going to have time to do other things.

      Delete
    2. John18 November 2014 at 16:14

      isn't that your answer?

      Delete
    3. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 16:18

      Yeah. Maybe.

      Most telling perhaps was the feeling of relief I got when I read Dandelion's comment.

      Delete
    4. John18 November 2014 at 16:25

      exactly

      Delete
    5. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 16:58

      (Nods sagely)

      Delete
  5. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 16:07

    so far It post so much chapter and the big transformation did happened. I just want to it countinue and see what happen to them.

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  6. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 16:08

    Emma,
    Whilst I have obviously made my feelings about Cleaner clear. At the end of the day we all want what`s best for you, so do what you`re most comfortable with.
    If we have to wait so be it, we will not be dis-appointed with whatever you do.
    Oh , and glad you liked "Closing the Gap".
    BillA

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  7. John18 November 2014 at 16:27

    are eyes of the hawk and new you 2 going to be serials?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 17:01

      Nope. Straight out books.

      Delete
    2. John18 November 2014 at 17:26

      Are you pausing LA and sixth guest (lower lip quiver)

      Delete
    3. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 19:16

      Not at all, though that great abundance of wonder, life, continues to be a distraction.

      You'll be pleased to know I, just this minute, finished the next episode of Lady Ann which will come out tomorrow night.

      I'm going to concentrate on completing the current chapter of that then get back onto Sixth Guest. Then I'll have a little bit of breathing space again.

      Delete
    4. John18 November 2014 at 20:17

      phew. just kidding, but it is highly addictive (in a good way)

      Delete
    5. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 20:23

      And I just finished a second episode! I'm back to cooking with gas baby!

      Delete
  8. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 20:19

    Oh the problems of success :-) I really do not know what to say, though get the feeling that you would prefer to pause on Cleaner now. If so, then that is what you should do.

    If you are worried about keeping up some kind of momentum, I would not be concerned. How long has Cleaner been around? a decade? and yet it still resonates loudly. This next part is going to be something of a clean slate, I assume, given the brevity of their trip abroad in the original, so you will need to give it some thought.

    The thing is. I would love to see Cleaner 2 as a priority. My own personal opinion is that, given time, it is likely to be one of your more successful books. It may therefore make sense to wait a bit and get it right.. also let your creative juices recover :-) - MikeW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 20:26

      Thanks Mike.

      I roughed out the outline for Cleaner 2 today so it isn't far from being ready to go. I am leaning toward continuing the serial though at this stage. I think it's important I get that much-needed breathing space... especially considering I only decided to do Cleaner at the last minute. I actually had three other serials almost ready to go that I postponed.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous18 November 2014 at 21:50

    I can see you created quite a debate on the continuation of posting episodes of cleaner 1. I can see that the consensus is to continue the episodes.
    I tend to agree with it though I would love to see book 2 as early as possible now that I read the book 1.
    I'll write some comments about the book 1 to smashwords where I bought the book.
    Thanks Emma for a great job.
    Monica Graz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Finn18 November 2014 at 22:25

      Thanks Monica! I'll look forward to reading that!

      Delete
  10. Anonymous19 November 2014 at 00:43

    Everybody has a valad point but the most important point is your health. Even though we enjoy your stories you need to recharge your batteries . It's no good you pushing out stories and your health failing soit might be an idea if you have some short stories that you might like to work on and have a break over Christmas to think and get some new ideas for the stories your currently working on

    Rob

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    Replies
    1. Emma Finn19 November 2014 at 08:42

      Hm. Thanks Rob. That's a good point. Though generally the harder I push myself, the happier I am.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous19 November 2014 at 09:30

    That might be true but taking a small break over the Christmas break and doing something different might give you new ideas for stories also having a massage and a sauna might help you relax and if I might suggest it take up tai chi which I have been studying for 30 years along with hsing I and pakua(Chinese martial arts) and which I have found totally reenergizes me and totally relaxes me.

    Rob

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  12. Camille Langtry19 November 2014 at 15:11

    Well, guess I am in the minority after all. At least my earlier post was the only one that didn't have a response.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Finn19 November 2014 at 15:14

      Hi Camille,

      Sorry about not responding before. It's always good to hear from you.

      Yeah, it's tricky but for my mental health I think continuing to release Cleaner 1 as a serial may be the way to go.

      Delete
    2. Camille Langtry19 November 2014 at 15:16

      No worries at all. The longer we wait, the more we'd enjoy it when it arrives!

      Delete
    3. Emma Finn19 November 2014 at 15:24

      ... or the more disappointed and angry!

      (Grins)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous19 November 2014 at 18:39

      Never

      Rob

      Delete
    5. Emma Finn19 November 2014 at 18:47

      (Still grinning)

      Delete

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