In 2011, my co-author, Sean Platt, and I decided the timing was never better for us to write our brand of serialized fiction. For the first time in history, thanks largely to Amazon and its Kindle device/app, authors were able to find and build their own audiences without having to go through traditional publishing channels.
A few years ago, there was no way a traditional publisher would take on a serial, much less a serial from a couple of unknown authors.
Now, everything has changed.
Inspired by Stephen King’s The Green Mile, and our favorite serialized TV shows, LOST, The Wire, Breaking Bad, Battlestar Galactica, Carnivale, Fringe, and a host of other shows, in 2011 we kicked off our post-apocalyptic serial, Yesterday’s Gone.
It did okay. But we knew the only way to really make a splash in the world of serialized fiction, we’d have to go all out.
We aim to be the HBO, AMC, or Showtime of the Kindle Generation, with the kind of character-driven stories, and WTF cliffhangers you’re used to seeing on the best of serialized TV.
In 2012, we decided we’d work pretty much nonstop in order to publish a book per week.
Just like TV, we create our work in weekly episodes, with six episodes per season. We then release the seasons in one low-priced volume. So you can choose to follow along on the weekly ride or wait until the full season is released and read it as a standard series type book.
Since January 10, we’ve done exactly that with a mix of new episodes, Season compilations, and our Twilight Zone-inspired Dark Crossings short stories (and collections), we’ve done exactly that.
In September, Amazon Publishing’s 47North contacted us, based on the success we’ve had with Yesterday’s Gone and asked us to create and write two new serials for their Amazon Serials program.
We said hell yeah!
We’ve now released a total of six serialized series, all of which will be seeing new seasons in 2013!
Here’s a list of books we’ve released to date. Click on any of the images to go to the product pages.
If you’ve got a moment, please leave a review and let me know what you think of the post-apocalyptic series.
YESTERDAY’S GONE: SEASONS
YESTERDAY’S GONE EPISODES
WHITESPACE SEASONS
Season Two Begins Early 2013
WHITESPACE EPISODES
AVAILABLE DARKNESS SEASONS
Season Two begins December 2012
AVAILABLE DARKNESS EPISODES
FORNEVERMORE SEASONS
Season Two begins in Spring 2013
FORNEVERMORE EPISODES
FOR AMAZON SERIALS (PUBLISHED BY 47NORTH)
Z 2134
Monstrous — coming in December 2012
::OUR SHORT STORIES::
DARK CROSSINGS VOLUME ONE
The first book is the compilation including all six stories.
DARK CROSSINGS VOLUME TWO
The first book is the compilation including all six stories.
I found Yesterday’s gone mentioned on a Review for the wool books and although there was several mentions of bad language I thought I’d give it a shot! Absolutely loved it and have recommended to friends and family. What’s struck me is that the writing is excellently descriptive and I’ve felt been thoroughly engrossed in the story. I’ve just gotten next series today but will have to ration it.
Take care and keep up the good work ( although if you could write a bit faster that would be great : )
Best regards
Lyn from Ireland
Thanks, Lyn. I’m glad you gave Yesterday’s Gone a chance. Yes, we’ve gotten some flack for the bad language, but it’s within the context of each character. Boricio’s chapters are always “colorful,” while other characters have far less (or in some cases no) cursing.
I find it interesting that people take more of an issue with language than the horrible things that people are DOING in the story. The way I see it, it’s the post-apocalypse, so bad people are gonna do (and say) bad things. I’m surprised that people would expect it to be G-rated.
As for writing speed, we’re putting out an episode a week (including our other series ForNevermore and now WhiteSpace this Tuesday). I’m not sure we could write faster unless a) we find a way to go without sleep b) we clone ourselves. I think my wife would take issue with more of me running around
Thank you for writing!
I have been doing tons of travelling lately and the only thing that made the 12 hour bus rides etc a pleasure was burning through the first 2 seasons of yesterdays gone. I loved Stephen kings the stand and this is right up there with that. Just brilliant. Keep the good work coming. I shouldn’t have went through them so fast!
I’m an instant fan and follower. And will review on amazon.
Cynthia from Canada
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for the comment. Sorry I missed it until now. I appreciate the kind words and the review! Glad we could help make the 12 hour bus rides more enjoyable! I remember riding the bus to work for years, writing in my spiral dreaming of the day that people would be reading our stuff! Thank you for helping make that dream come true. We appreciate it.
Hey David,
I have “discovered” you through Sean Platt’s online presence and your “Yesterday’s Gone”, which I just bought for my Kindle. I also luv luv and I mean double luv your podcasts with Sean and Johnny, super-hilarious and infotaining at the same time.
Anything with Goths on trees deserves listening.
Also – it’s awesome what you’re doing – the serialized fiction idea & the branding of your book covers (I’m heavily into art & design) looks not only super-pro but effective as well – big-ass letters, nice contrast and simply striking images and color.
Your covers look especially good when in thumbnail size – while most people’s book covers on Amazon look cheap, unreadable and convoluted, yours are crystal-like sharp and clear. Lol, I’m such a design nerd but that STANDS OUT when you see all the visual rubbish out there.
Anyways, I’ll keep checking your stuff out, because you rock the socks off.
KICK ass my friend,
over and out,
Mars
Thanks, Mars,
I appreciate the nice words. And thanks for the nod on the covers. While I don’t like all the ones I did — some of the images are a bit bland and I’ll likely re-do them — I do like most of them a lot. I spent a lot of time trying to get covers right, so it’s good to hear that someone who knows design says I’m doing something right! Thanks again.
What’s a ballpark ETA of new episodes Yesterday’s Gone? I LOVE LOVE LOVE these series and I am having serious withdrawal symptoms and can’t wait for the next read!
Hi, Rosa. Season Four begins this summer. First we have to write second seasons of Available Darkness, WhiteSpace, and ForNevermore.