Snack Away on These Serial Fiction Apps

Maybe, like me, your 2019 resolution is to read more. Maybe you want to branch out and read diverse books, or books in new-to-you genres. Or perhaps you’re itching to find different authors and edgier, hotter stories.

Well. I’m here to help. In 2019, I’ll introduce you to the world of serial fiction. Every month, I’ll give you recommendations about what to read on the latest serial fiction apps and sites. Because I’m a romance writer — and a serial fiction novelist — I’ll be focused on romance, although other genres might slip in every so often. Also expect a recommendation or two from graphic serial novels.

For me, the best part about reading serial fiction is the unpredictability. Writers of serials take chances and blend genres with wild abandon. I love that aspect of serial fiction: literally anything can, and does, happen in serial novels. Stories sometimes meander, and sometimes they take 180-degree turns. There are times when the prose isn’t as polished, but that’s also exciting — the writer’s passion shines through.

First, though, let’s get our terms straight. A serial is one story, broken up into different episodes. Characters age and change, and there’s a storyline and conflicts running through the entire thing. The TV show Lost was a serial. Charles Dickens wrote serials. Soap operas are serials. Fifty Shades of Grey was also a serial — one story, same characters. Fun fact: Tom Wolfe wrote Bonfire of the Vanities as a serial in Rolling Stone.

Series are not the same as serials. They’re groups of stories that all standalone. Marie Force’s Gansett Island series, or Bella Andre’s Sullivans books are all series. You don’t have to read the books in order. Many police procedural TV shows are series — you don’t need to watch Law and Order from the beginning in order to figure out each episode’s storyline.

One important point: serials always have cliffhangers. Always. Many readers hate the cliffs, but lovers of serials adore the anticipation that comes with waiting for the next episode.

Serial fiction was huge in the 19^th century, when writers like Dickens published stories in newspapers and magazines. Today, the narrative form has seen a resurgence, thanks to some modern-day technology: mobile apps.

These apps are free to download, and offer seamless reading experiences that rival Amazon’s Kindle app or the iBooks format.

All of the novels I’m going to recommend in this column will be available on these free apps, although some of the actual books — or chapters of these books — aren’t free. I’ll let you know what story requires payment, what app it’s on, and whether the book is complete.

I hope you’ll join me this year in exploring bite-sized fiction. It’s a wonderful way to discover diverse voices, new authors and raw, emotional storytelling. If you have any suggestions for me, I’m always available at tamara@tamaralush.com.

Now let’s get to this month’s recommendations!