Startup Serial Box Wants To Be the 'HBO for Readers'

[AnemicOak]

Never been a big fan of serialized fiction, but I know there are folks out there who like it. This is a bit of a different take on it. More than anything the description makes me think of the old radio shows like The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger, etc.


Startup Serial Box Wants To Be the 'HBO for Readers'

Serial Box is a new digital publishing venture looking to attract readers with serialized genre fiction that is produced very much like TV shows. The startup offers original fiction in e-book and audiobook formats that is delivered directly to consumers on a weekly basis. Readers can choose which medium they want, or use the Serial Box app to access both and even toggle between them.

In addition to emulating TV’s episodic presentation, Serial Box is also adopting the TV writing model, employing a team of writers to produce each season-long series with material that will run for 13–16 episodes. Currently in beta, Serial Box launched to the public on September 16 with BookBurners, a paranormal crime story written by Max Gladstone, Margaret Dunlap, Mur Lafferty, and Brian Francis Slattery. In late October, the company will release Tremontaine, a swashbuckling 13-episode love and adventure series written by Ellen Kushner, Joel Derfner, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Malinda Lo, Racheline Maltese, and Patty Bryant.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...r-readers.html

[meeera]

Some good authors, but I generally have zero interest in short-episode serial fiction. I wait, and buy the novel at the end.

[Geralt]

Not a fan of short fiction in general.
Good authors, but when I sit down to read I like to be engrossed and totally not here but in the book, if that makes any sense. I like to check out for couple of hours every day sort of speak. Not available, not present.
I do the same thing with audiobooks. Not here, can't hear you.
Short fiction has a frustrating effect on me. I get into it and then it's over. It's like PE lol

[jhowell]

Seems great for people who like to be kept waiting. Rather then bringing the serial/TV model to books how about bringing the full story model to TV? Netflix releases entire seasons of the shows that they produce all at once so you can consume them at your own pace. Just like reading a book.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Seems great for people who like to be kept waiting. Rather then bringing the serial/TV model to books how about bringing the full story model to TV? Netflix releases entire seasons of the shows that they produce all at once so you can consume them at your own pace. Just like reading a book.

If they released these serials in binge-read form, people would realise they're paying $19.50 for an ebook...

(They haven't said how many words, so it's possible this is unfair. Perhaps they're novel-trilogy size?)

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by meeera

If they released these serials in binge-read form, people would realise they're paying $19.50 for an ebook...

(They haven't said how many words, so it's possible this is unfair. Perhaps they're novel-trilogy size?)

More than $19.50 - these prices seem ridiculous. $24 to $30 if you buy the episodes one by one. A bargain of $19 to $24 if you buy the whole series.

In addition to emulating TV’s episodic presentation, Serial Box is also adopting the TV writing model, employing a team of writers to produce each season-long series with material that will run for 13–16 episodes.
...
Consumers can buy a single episode in e-book or audio format for $1.99. If they subscribe to the entire series, they can get each episode for $1.59—no payment is required until the episode comes out. First episodes of every series will be free.

[Cinisajoy]

Now Amazon for a bit tried buy a book as it is being written. I tried it once. Note you got the entire book for one price but you only got so many chapters a week.
Yes, the book was good but the wait was horrible.

The big problem with serials is some authors try to use the Dickens model.
That wasn't a serial as we think of today but a way for the masses to read when books were a very high end luxury item.

Breaking up a book or publishing as the author is writing in a magazine is one thing. Putting out just chapters to fleece your potential readers is another.

Now if they are actually a completely story with an underlying continuing arc, I am not fond of those but at least I get a story out of the deal and can decide whether to continue or not.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by meeera

If they released these serials in binge-read form, people would realise they're paying $19.50 for an ebook...

(They haven't said how many words, so it's possible this is unfair. Perhaps they're novel-trilogy size?)

I downloaded the free pilot chapter and calibre gave me 12899 words. So no, not quite a trilogy. A doorstopper, yes, but not worth $19.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I downloaded the free pilot chapter and calibre gave me 12899 words. So no, not quite a trilogy. A doorstopper, yes, but not worth $19.

If that was the first episode then my calculation is a 10 hour book total.
So yes a decent size read.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I downloaded the free pilot chapter and calibre gave me 12899 words. So no, not quite a trilogy. A doorstopper, yes, but not worth $19.

Do you have the link for this free pilot chapter?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Do you have the link for this free pilot chapter?

There are links for ePub, Mobi, PDF and Audio on their website here...
https://www.serialbox.com/serials/55...a6e26d95b9e785

[GERGE]

WAIT! A new Riverside book! I am in, I don't care about anything else =)

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

There are links for ePub, Mobi, PDF and Audio on their website here...
https://www.serialbox.com/serials/55...a6e26d95b9e785

Thank you!

I wasn't able to locate that.

[Barty]

HBO for readers, eh. So these books will feature big names and lots of nudity?