How can I link two stories that are not part of a series and not chapters?

[AG31]

I have two stories. One is a prequel and the other a sequel. They are not the start of a series. They have different titles. I would like to put the URL for the companion at the bottom of each story, along with a brief explanation, but there's a timing problem. I can't put anything at the bottom of the first story until the second one is published.

 

[RejectReality]

I would honestly use the series function. I use it to link connected standalone stories, and it's especially useful when there's a timeline involved.

https://www.literotica.com/series/se/469735934

Every story in that series is independent. They all share a world, some themes, characters that cross-over, and a timeline, but none are required reading for any other story in the series. Reading them out of chronological order may cause some head-scratching moments as supporting characters jump around in age, marital status, etc., but each story is complete in and of itself.

Then all you need is an author's note at the top of the newly published story explaining its relationship to the other story — if necessary. This is a prequel telling the tale of how John Doe came to own the bar where Jack and Jill from "Other Series Story" meet.

 

[Britva415]

Maybe you could consider predicting the URL of the second story. It's easy if there isn't already another story out there with an identical title.

Here, just one example (randomly selected): https://www.literotica.com/s/trust-me-25

OK, so, "Trust Me" is obviously a popular title, there have been 25 of them. But you can see how predictable the title is: If there hadn't been another story with the same title already, it would have just been https://www.literotica.com/s/trust-me

You can test it for yourself to see if your title already exists. If it doesn't, you're done - the address will just be the words in the title, no capital letters, no punctuation, dashes where the spaces are. If it does, you could find out how many of them there are and add the appropriate number to the end of the address.

I have no idea if this would make it through the review/publishing process, or whether a note to the admin in the story submission form would help or hurt the chances of approval.

 

[AG31]

Maybe you could consider predicting the URL of the second story. It's easy if there isn't already another story out there with an identical title.

Here, just one example (randomly selected): https://www.literotica.com/s/trust-me-25

OK, so, "Trust Me" is obviously a popular title, there have been 25 of them. But you can see how predictable the title is: If there hadn't been another story with the same title already, it would have just been https://www.literotica.com/s/trust-me

You can test it for yourself to see if your title already exists. If it doesn't, you're done - the address will just be the words in the title, no capital letters, no punctuation, dashes where the spaces are. If it does, you could find out how many of them there are and add the appropriate number to the end of the address.

I have no idea if this would make it through the review/publishing process, or whether a note to the admin in the story submission form would help or hurt the chances of approval.

Thanks!

 

[AG31]

I would honestly use the series function. I use it to link connected standalone stories, and it's especially useful when there's a timeline involved.

https://www.literotica.com/series/se/469735934

Every story in that series is independent. They all share a world, some themes, characters that cross-over, and a timeline, but none are required reading for any other story in the series. Reading them out of chronological order may cause some head-scratching moments as supporting characters jump around in age, marital status, etc., but each story is complete in and of itself.

Then all you need is an author's note at the top of the newly published story explaining its relationship to the other story — if necessary. This is a prequel telling the tale of how John Doe came to own the bar where Jack and Jill from "Other Series Story" meet.

That looks like what I want. But how do you access "the series function?" I don't remember seeing it, and I don't find it on the first page after you click "New story."

 

[RejectReality]

You do it after one story you want to be part of the series has been published. In your control panel ( story side, obviously ) you'll see "Series ( Beta )" in the left menu. From there, click the new series button, fill out the form, and associate the story with it.

Then when the new story posts, you go back to the series and add it by clicking the gear icon, then the series works button, then the add work button.

It takes a little experimentation, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. Until you click the "publish series" button, nobody will see your mistakes except you. Once the series is established, you can add new stories to it wherever you choose. Once you add it, you can move stories up and down in the listing.

There's a learning curve, but it's got lots of useful bells and whistles once you figure it out.

 

[AG31]

You do it after one story you want to be part of the series has been published. In your control panel ( story side, obviously ) you'll see "Series ( Beta )" in the left menu. From there, click the new series button, fill out the form, and associate the story with it.

Then when the new story posts, you go back to the series and add it by clicking the gear icon, then the series works button, then the add work button.

It takes a little experimentation, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. Until you click the "publish series" button, nobody will see your mistakes except you. Once the series is established, you can add new stories to it wherever you choose. Once you add it, you can move stories up and down in the listing.

There's a learning curve, but it's got lots of useful bells and whistles once you figure it out.

THANK YOU!!!!