How do I combine stories published on lit into a series?

[HuckPilgrim]

I see other authors have combined different stories into a series? For example, Selena_Kitt has an 8 part confessions series (among many others).

How is this done? I've looked at the controls for submitting a story, and even submitted a few stories, but I still can't see how to accomplish a series.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I see other authors have combined different stories into a series? For example, Selena_Kitt has an 8 part confessions series (among many others).

How is this done? I've looked at the controls for submitting a story, and even submitted a few stories, but I still can't see how to accomplish a series.

Post as individual stories with the same title except for chapter numbering, e.g.:

Congress Capers
Congress Capers Ch. 02
Congress Capers Ch. 03
...

If you do this, they'll be linked up automatically, though it may take a little while after each chapter goes up before it's linked in. The "Ch. 01" is optional.

I think "Chapter XX" will also work; not sure what other styles are recognised. If you're planning more than 99 chapters, start out with 001/002/etc so they get sorted correctly.

 

[NiceNastyMann]

I see other authors have combined different stories into a series? For example, Selena_Kitt has an 8 part confessions series (among many others).

How is this done? I've looked at the controls for submitting a story, and even submitted a few stories, but I still can't see how to accomplish a series.

The editors will also do it automatically - as long as the stories all have the same title.

 

[HuckPilgrim]

Thanks so much! I get it now.

 

[Hypoxia]

One way, as mentioned above: Number each chapter; first-chapter numbering is optional.
Another way: Use alphabetical subtitles. Stories will still be collected into a series. For instance:

In my series THE BOOK OF RUTH, each 'chapter' is fairly standalone (except the two-parter I'm currently writing). I don't want these to be seen as chapters, where prior chapters MUST be read to understand what's going on, so I call them episodes. And I name them in alphanumeric sort order. So the order of episodes is:

THE BOOK OF RUTH: BEFORE RUTH
THE BOOK OF RUTH: COMING FAST
THE BOOK OF RUTH: DOING RUTH
THE BOOK OF RUTH: EATING OUT

If I write a prequel, it will be THE BOOK OF RUTH: ASS IN THE AIR or something like that. If (dog forbid) I can't finish the series with EATING OUT, the next chapter will be THE BOOK OF RUTH: FUCKED UP or something like that. The subtitles will sort as A-B-C-D-E-F automagically.

Or when I finish DOING RUTH, I may decide to save the EATING OUT title for a sequel, so I'll have DOING RUTH 01 and 02. I'll try not to get too messy there.

If you plan on a series, I recommend that you number (or alpha-sequence) the first chapter. For me, when I see a series whose first part is unnumbered, I think that it was probably written as a standalone, but the author then decided to write sequels. Numbering the first chapter shows that the author likely intended it as part of an integrated whole.

 

[HuckPilgrim]

I have seen the name ordering done as well. Last night I notice that some series are actually just collections of stories built around a general theme--different POV characters and not necessarily even in the same places. I did get the impression that the writer had created the stories and then just put them together, as a collection.

That's cool. That's pretty much what I intend to do. A lot of my stories tend to be about the sex lives of characters that live in this small town. It will be interesting to see how it goes over. One of the hardest things to do in a workshop group is get readers to consider longer works, or how stories work in a collection. It will be interesting to see if Lit can help me there.

I really appreciate everyone's help in this thread. Thank you!

 

[Bramblethorn]

One way, as mentioned above: Number each chapter; first-chapter numbering is optional.
Another way: Use alphabetical subtitles. Stories will still be collected into a series.

Huh, didn't know that. This could be useful to me at some point.