This is a long post, so I bottom line this first. I’m starting a new serialized story on my Patreon page called Harp Strings. You can find out more about the story and everything else available on my Patreon page here:
HTTPS://WWW.PATREON.COM/AUTHORANDYGALLO
I’m lousy with the hard sell, and I’m not much better at being a self-promotor, so if this post reads a bit awkwardly, forgive me. I’m stepping outside my comfort zone.
When I started my publishing journey in 2009, small indie publishers were just starting to appear. They gave indie authors, especially those in small markets like MM romance or LGBTQ fiction, an avenue to getting published. Kindle Unlimited threw a monkey wrench in the business plans of most small presses, many of which closed shop or went bankrupt. Indie authors adapted by because one person publishing houses.
Despite those seismic changes, somethings remained the same. The basic plot structure of romance novel followed the meet cute, happy times getting to know each other, a falling out, followed by a grand gesture to make things right on the way to a Happy Ever After. After the happy couple found their way, they became footnotes in other stories. Bit players in the universe they helped create as writers moved on to give more couples the HEAs readers wanted. The exception were stories driven by events outside the romance.
Despite the cry from some readers for more, more, more of the happy couple, the economics of publishing require new, new, new couples. At a conference I attended, a publisher emphatically said, no one cares after the first kiss. That was an oversimplification, some readers cared, but the point was, most readers lost interest soon after and the publisher couldn’t justify the cost after the first kiss.
But what about those readers who love the happy couple and wanted to read more? Fanfic is a great example of the demand for this kind of fiction. For authors, however, they had to choose between eating (a.k.a. selling books) and sticking with the happy couple. Enter serialization.
Direct support models like Patreon (and Substack and Ream) allow authors to give readers more of what they want. In a serialized story, authors can extend the story well beyond the generally accepted maximum work count, deviate from the 5-act romance structure, and still earn enough to eat.
I joined Patreon last year and followed the advance chapter, advance reader copy and other benefits model. This year, I’m adding a serialized story. I’ll still publish advanced chapters to new releases, still give patrons at a certain level an advance copy of all books I publish, but now I’m going to work on passion projects. Ones that have no word limit, can spend more time at certain phases of the relationship, add more and give greater depth to secondary characters. More importantly, I can continue the story with other characters, and allow the first couple to have more than a cameo here or there. They can get their own chapters slipped into the new characters quest for their HEA.
My first story will be Harp Strings. Right now, it is thirty chapters long, but it needs a few more. There are also a few characters written in who can continue the story into the future.
If you’d like to check it out, the first chapter will be posted on Wednesday. I’ve made it so all tiers have a free seven-day trial, so you can kick the tires and figure out if you want to stick around.
This serialization will not impact my publishing schedule. I will still put out the books I’ve already promised and planned. As I mentioned, the first six months of posts are already done, so it won’t create a time lag in new books. Depending on the tier you select, you will still get those advanced chapters, and reader copies, in addition to the continuing serial story.
If I’ve hooked you already, join here:
HTTPS://WWW.PATREON.COM/AUTHORANDYGALLO
For those who need to know a bit more, here you go:
HARP STRINGS:
David Harp is trying to balance college, work, and a social life while raising his 18-month-old son, DJ as a single father. Still living with his supportive parents, David falls for his co-worker Corey, but doesn’t expect anything to happen. What 20 year-old gay guy wants to date someone with a toddler? Though initially hesitant to get involved with someone with a child, Corey is drawn to David despite his unconventional responsibilities.
David’s long-time best friend Elle disapproves of the match, wary that Corey may not fully accept DJ as part of a relationship with David. Her warnings lead to tension and miscommunication early on between the new couple.
Through deepening feelings and increasing intimacy, David and Corey slowly overcome obstacles and forge a fledgling relationship. David’s romantic inexperience coupled with the demands of parenthood often leave him insecure, but Corey proves patient and understanding.
As David struggles to find balance, he is forced to deal with a threat from his son’s maternal grandparents. When their disapproval of David turns into legal actions to take DJ, David must put everything on hold, including his relationship with Corey, to take on the fight of his life.
HTTPS://WWW.PATREON.COM/AUTHORANDYGALLO
If you have any question or want to know more, drop them in the comments.
Ciao,