The Series Engine (Read-Through)
Fiction profit doesn't come from Book 1. It comes from Read-Through Rate (RTR).
Book 1 is a loss leader. Its only job is to sell Book 2, 3, and 4.
The Math of a 5-Book Series
Book 1
$0.99
Entry Point
Book 2
$4.99
70% Read-Through
Book 3
$4.99
90% Read-Through
Book 4
$5.99
95% Read-Through
Book 5
$5.99
98% Read-Through
Result: A reader who buys Book 1 for $0.99 is actually worth $15.00+ in lifetime value.
Trope Engineering
Readers don't buy "stories." They buy feelings packaged as tropes.
Your job is to deliver the expected emotional beats of your genre.
Romance
- • The Meet Cute
- • Forced Proximity
- • The "Almost" Kiss
- • The Dark Night of the Soul
- • Happily Ever After (Mandatory!)
Thriller
- • The Inciting Incident (Body drop)
- • The Ticking Clock
- • The False Victory
- • The Twist Ending
- • Hero at Mercy of Villain
Fantasy
- • The Chosen One
- • The Magic System Rules
- • The Mentor's Death
- • The Quest Item
- • The Final Battle
The Cliffhanger Strategy
Ending a Chapter
Never end a chapter on a resolution. End it on a new question.
"She opened the door and gasped." (End Chapter)
This forces the reader to turn the page at 2 AM.
Ending a Book
Resolve the plot of the current book, but leave the arc of the series open.
"The battle was won, but the war had just begun."
Include a link to pre-order Book 2 immediately on the last page.
The Most Important Asset: Your List
Amazon owns your customers. If they ban you, you lose everything. You must move readers from Amazon to your email list.
1. The Review Magnet
Put a link in the back of your book: "Get a bonus epilogue/scene for free."
2. The Landing Page
Use BookFunnel or StoryOrigin to deliver the file in exchange for their email.
3. The Launch Squad
Email this list when Book 2 launches. Instant sales = Algorithm spike = Bestseller list.
Write Fast. Release Faster.
In fiction, the best marketing is the next book. Build your engine, and it will run forever.