Should I delete a series I don’t plan to finish?

[Zeronix]

I have a couple multi-part serial works that I started, abandoned partway through, and now consider unlikely to finish. (Mainly because I look back at them and realise I wasn’t happy with various things.)

What should I do about this? I don’t want to bait people into reading a story they won’t finish. Leaning towards deleting, and re-uploading if / when I ever do finish it

 

[ElectricBlue]

I have a couple multi-part serial works that I started, abandoned partway through, and now consider unlikely to finish. (Mainly because I look back at them and realise I wasn’t happy with various things.)

What should I do about this? I don’t want to bait people into reading a story they won’t finish. Leaning towards deleting, and re-uploading if / when I ever do finish it

Up to you. Lit has thousands of unfinished stories, and you'd be surprised how many people keep reading them. If you feel guilty about it, use the Series function but don't tick the box that asks "Is this Series finished?" At least that way you're telling readers it's not finished, which is the truth. What they do with that knowledge is up to them.

 

[Zeronix]

Up to you. Lit has thousands of unfinished stories, and you'd be surprised how many people keep reading them. If you feel guilty about it, use the Series function but don't tick the box that asks "Is this Series finished?" At least that way you're telling readers it's not finished, which is the truth. What they do with that knowledge is up to them.

Thanks, this seems reasonable!

 

[Writer61]

I have a couple multi-part serial works that I started, abandoned partway through, and now consider unlikely to finish. (Mainly because I look back at them and realise I wasn’t happy with various things.)

What should I do about this? I don’t want to bait people into reading a story they won’t finish. Leaning towards deleting, and re-uploading if / when I ever do finish it

How about writing an explanation/warning, and publishing it as the first entry in the series?

 

[Zeronix]

How about writing an explanation/warning, and publishing it as the first entry in the series?

I feel weird about doing this since it’ll still show up in the new lists. Maybe I’d edit my series description to say “on hiatus indefinitely” instead

 

[crookedletter]

Just change your author name to George RR Martin. That should set expectations appropriately.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I admire your sense of ethics and concern for the readers. You set a good example for other writers.

 

[StillStunned]

If you're not going to finish, maybe you can just edge?

 

[iwatchus]

I am not sure that following one of @StillStunned 's comments is a great idea, but to me it depends on the series.

I still re-read some unfinished series from time to time (e.g., The Game by @T_S_Wolfe ) because each story gives some sense of closure. I would love for it to have an ending, but I can still enjoy what it does offer.

On the other hand, a series where the overarching story arc dominates each individual story arc is different. I am eagerly awaiting @isleofpoppy finishing her Pretend Friend series. I probably would have preferred not to start it if I am left hanging.

 

[NotWise]

I have a couple multi-part serial works that I started, abandoned partway through, and now consider unlikely to finish. (Mainly because I look back at them and realise I wasn’t happy with various things.)

What should I do about this? I don’t want to bait people into reading a story they won’t finish. Leaning towards deleting, and re-uploading if / when I ever do finish it

I did that. I had several reasons to do it, none because I was unhappy with the story. I wrote to a transition, waited several months to let interested readers have at it, and asked Laurel to take it down.

There was some gnashing of teeth by a few diehard fans, so I put the explanation in my bio. One was still not appeased, and I emailed him the whole story.

I've never regretted taking it down. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Definitely leave it up, we'll all look forward to the thread in 6 months by some other author about this great unfinished series he found and would it be OK if he finished it.
I kid.
Mostly.

Leave it up, what's the harm?

 

[TheLobster]

I kid.

You do, but that's actually a good point. If OP doesn't want to finish the series, leaving a note in the profile that he's open to others contacting him regarding its continuation is a good idea.

 

[NotWise]

There's something else I've seen happen to incomplete stories. Reader's don't like them.

I went three and a half years between parts 3 and 4 of A Valentine's Day Mess. I did eventually complete the story, but not before readers started down-voting earlier parts to protest. Dear-to-my-heart Part 3 spent most it's first six months with a score of 4.9 or more. Then came the protest votes.