Six Free Serial Novels with Fantastic Worldbuilding

If you’ve been curious about Kindle Vella serials, now through October 11^th is your chance to unlock, for free, these awesome Vella serials. Each of these serials presents exceptional worldbuilding and lengthy and indulgent episodes, so take advantage of your free 100 unlocks per day and try them out while the getting is good! (No commitment, subscription, or purchase required).

First is Gindlina: Good Witch of the West, presenting a rich blend of historical Russian folklore and a good old good witch story with complex, compelling characters. Gindlina

Next is Passions Rising: A Story of Civil War New Orleans, Love, and Bread. Passions is a smart, slow burn Civil War historical coming of age story that will surprise you as you discover its depth. Passions Rising

And check out Martian Outrider, a well-paced Mars post-apocalyptic action-adventure series that delivers strong action and worldbuilding! Martian Outrider

While this sale is going on, you also don’t want to miss Mandala by Edward Eidolon, a magical realism speculative thriller that will leave you surprised at every turn and possibly even questioning reality. Mandala

The best fantasy romance I’ve come across is Witchery, a witty, tongue-in-cheek Victorian family-feud romance with elements of mystery and adventure! Witchery

And for a lyrical and quirky, mind-bending and genre-bending romp through friendship, liberation, and redemption, try The Fern and the Rose: The Fern and the Rose

For more information on how the Amazon Vella platform works, read here. Remember, Vella charges readers by the word, so download these longer episodes now for free and save them for a rainy day!

Kendra Griffin is a professor, editor, and author; her own comedic science fantasy series, A People’s History of Magic, can be found here (also free and also lengthy!) during this promotion. A People’s History of Magic

Five Vella Serials that Deliver a Fantastic (Free) First Page

If you’ve been considering checking out Amazon’s episodic Vella serials, I’m here to recommend five original, polished products that start with an opening that will get you hooked.

Vella, if you didn’t know, offers readers an interactive reading experience through author notes and “thumbs up” of episodes. Readers can also vote for their favorite Vellas by offering faves in hopes that their beloved stories earn a crown. More importantly, all Vella serials are free for the first three episodes, and Amazon also gives readers 200 credits at the minimum to kick off their experience on the Vella platform.

Since I’m both a Vella author and an editor, I recently offered a free first-page critique for serials of varying genres. I was impressed by the quality of the writing as well as the variety of crossover genres and inventive strategies for presenting author comments. (And this is the fun part, because that’s where you can see the inside scoop or find opportunities to give suggestions or feedback in real time on their websites). You can also join Vella Facebook author groups to get talk directly with authors. For example, here’s a great site for lovers of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Science Fiction and Fantasy Readers.

There were so many stories I loved (and some I didn’t), but here are my top five Vella recommendations, based on a stellar first page, for January 2022.

Who Wants to Be a Sidekick?

N. Y. Seely

“Sidekick Wanted. No experience necessary. This sounds like the perfect side hustle for a financially-challenged bicycle courier like me. Besides, who doesn’t want to be a hero?”

Sidekick is a smart, slick, comedic ride through the streets of near-future Portland, Oregon on the back of a twenty-something courier-turned-superhero-sidekick’s bike. Seely’s voice deftly propels the story as it weaves through pop culture and superheroic jargon and allusions. Ride with Callisto as she dodges traffic and carries out mysterious missions for her faceless boss. The writing is fluid and fast-paced with a seemingly effortless pepper-spray of jargon. This genre-crossing comedic futuristic adventure story is as entertaining as it is well-written, and the author notes will keep you reading to learn more about Callisto’s hijinks.

The Ruin of the Watcher

Collings MacCrae

“On paper, Detective Fox Argall is a hero: handsome, wildly over-educated, eccentric, adoring his wife with epic passion. When a string of broken children arrive on his doorstep like offerings, Fox is forced to follow the breadcrumbs to a showdown with an old and dangerous enemy.”

Looking for a mystery story that’s as polished as it is suspenseful? Welcome to book one of the Fox Argall Mystery series. Chapter One: “The Beginning: Countdown from Darkness,” is lyrical and character driven. You’ll be hooked from the moment you experience the terror of the “small soul” in the woods who might yet live and find “helping hands and deliverance” if Fox can solve the mystery quickly enough. In Ruin, MacCrae pulls off a rare feat — a unique POV in which we learn about our protagonist through the eyes of those who both love and fear his quirky, self-absorbed, and brilliant persona. Through MacCrae’s skillful narration, you’ll be as invested in his wife and detective partners as you are Fox. You might even like them more than Fox — but ultimately only Fox can save the day.

The Wizard’s Kin

 Robert Grayson

“For as long as they can remember, Arron and Pix have known life in a woodland tower with the man they call Father — a grizzled old mage from a bygone era. But when the past deeds of their benefactor come calling, they suddenly find themselves deep in a world foreign and perilous.”

The Wizard’s Kin is a young adult story that is complex and rich enough for adults and kids alike. It opens with humor: a fresh take on human/elf relations is depicted through a conversation as unscrupulous and bickery humans discuss the oddity of elves. The scene ends satisfyingly with the scoundrels being outwitted by the elf-teens, Arron and Pix. However, young Arron and Pix are quickly plunged into an even deeper and more complex fantasy world as they discover more about their powers and the dangers that surround them. With a compelling storyline and warm themes of family, loyalty, and self-discovery, you’ll enjoy Grayson’s talented depiction of these Wizards’ Kin coming-of-age.

Dark Family Secrets

“Betsy Dark is 87 years old. She cooks BBQ, helps her neighbors, and, two years ago, became a vampire.”

Hoyt Hallford

Told through multiple POV, the narration is sardonic, dark (as promised) and tongue in cheek. How could it not be, when the protagonist is a grandmother turned during a tryst with a vampiric Earl MacDonell of Dorcha? This seduction in part is because Betsy had drunk “far more whiskey than a woman her age should have. What, with her bladder issues and all. Chuckle as you will, dear reader. But Betsy would challenge you to have four children naturally, then live to be eighty-five years old and see if you don’t soil a knicker or two.” Despite this fantastic scene, it’s the opening that really delivers — a punch. For Hallford begins our story with a boxing batch in which Betsy Dark gets her dentures knocked out and then stops time — for just a moment– so that she can reinsert her dentures and take just a nibble at her opponent.

Amy of Earth

Kelli Wieland

“When Amy falls through a portal, she finds herself in a world where mythological creatures exist and humans don’t. Captured by a terrifying insect warlord … she must navigate a bizarre new land and stay one step ahead of a creature bent on ruling his world. With technology from hers. Technology that only exists in the movies.”

Meet Amy, a young anthropologist who begins episode one by performing a fascinating autopsy on an equally fascinating and inexplicably strange-looking and mystical bear. The quirky, inventive opening (aptly titled “Amy and the Unbearable Bear”) soon requires Amy to harness all her anthropological skills, as well as to suspend her disbelief, when the creature reveals itself to be related to a “single horned, three eyed, shaggy black creature from Cantabrian folklore.” The kicker is that this creature is the same one featured on the cover of Amy’s deceased mother’s book. A book which, until now, Amy assumed was fiction. With strong characters, original worldbuilding, and a fun metafictional blend of mystery and adventure, you’ll watch Amy navigate the fantasy realm that ensnares her.

I’ll be critiquing and reviewing more Vellas next month, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, remember: while Amazon makes you log into your account to view its Vella platform, the first three episodes are always free, so you can shop around and get to know the authors. If you enjoy reading serials and interacting with authors, check out the FB Vella groups to ask authors questions and let them know what you think of their work!

Kendra Griffin is an indie author, writing teacher, and developmental editor who has never met a good dog or a good underdog she didn’t fall in love with. Learn more about Kendra on her website or follow her on Twitter or Facebook. Her Vella serial is called A People’s History of Magic, and the first 3 episodes, like all Vella serials, are free.

5 Tips for Kindle Vella Authors: Writing Serials for Amazon

If you’re like me, you’ve wondered if Vella is a good use of your time, writing, and marketing resources. The short answer: Maybe. The longer answer: Possibly, if you have a marketing platform already. And the longest answer? Well, that’s a complicated algorithm, as Amazon would say… and it’s perhaps as mysterious as how they compute their bonuses or select featured authors. 

Amazon’s new platform offers authors the chance to share their works, short or long, in a serial format much like those offered on Wattpad and other “mobile first” (as Amazon describes it) platforms. This month I jumped on the Vella train and began publishing my own serial (A People’s History of Magic). In a true Novemberish Nanowrimo-like burst of energy, I’ve been releasing episodes in a frenzy by reworking a novel I had reluctantly set aside, thinking I’d never have the time to edit.

Of course, I still don’t have the time. I just write it anyway. Vella is addictive. 

Here’s my sage arcane newly-gleaned knowledge:

Tip # 1: The greatest downfall of Vella is that Amazon doesn’t know how to promote it. Be prepared to promote yourself, and find a way to make it fun.

Tip # 2: Sure. You don’t have to put this work in. After all, you’re busy writing a serial! But if you’d rather have an audience than languish in obscurity, you’ll want to find a way to enjoy the marketing process. At that point, consider a new marketing launch with every episode, or even every other. Why is this important? Because when you launch a traditional book on Amazon, that’s when you create the biggest buzz. But then the buzzing stops buzzing… and before long your hard work is a dead fly littering Amazon’s shop window. 

Statistically, with a traditional Kindle release, if you miss this brief window of momentum, you’re sunk. All that can save you is an expensive booklist blitz or the happy chance that Neil Gaiman tweets about your novel. But with Vella, readers who tune in at any point will be directed to episode 1. So even if a title or graphic for episode 10 is what finally grabs someone, they’ll still be funneled to the start of your serial.

Also, when promoting new episodes instead of the serial in general, marketing yourself won’t feel as repetitive. After all, you’re genuinely sharing fresh content (and hopefully some fresh artwork) with readers.

Tip # 3: Compose interesting episode titles. Now is not the time to be literarily uptight or conduct yourself like you’re in a stuffy MFA program. Create titles that would grab your attention. If you’re posting to social media, who knows what new, unique base each of your funky titles might reach through SEO’s.

As an example, my last two episodes were titled “Palantirs, Monkeys’ Paws, and Pomegranates” and “Occam’s Razor and Kevin Spacey Coffee.” Why? I dunno. Because it was fun. I have no regrets. (All right, that’s not true. I feel slightly guilty for positioning William of Ockham anywhere near Kevin Spacey.) 

Tip # 4: Another technique is to utilize the comments area at the bottom of each episode to improve story pacing. Most authors use this feature to engage with the reader or offer their contact info, since no links are allowed in Vella. But Vella lends itself to short, fast-paced plotting, and if you’re breaking down a more traditional novel, like I am, it can be difficult to find stopping points that will hook the reader.

Voila! A teaser in the comments area can help propel readers to the next episode even if your current episode wraps up rather neatly.

Tip # 5: Lastly, if you’re unable to devote the amount of time (or to imbibe the amount of caffeine) necessary to frequently release new content, try adapting writing that you weren’t planning to sell in a traditional format anytime soon. There’s little to lose by publishing on Vella (Amazon currently allows authors to later re-release their stories in book form), and you can experiment with reader response rates and build a following while practicing your craft.

My current Vella is a comedic science fantasy and adventure mashup that crosses several genres and would be hard for me to traditionally promote, but on Vella, I’m already addicted to watching it unfold. Now I get to learn if there’s a market for my bizarre Umbrella Academy-meets-Luke Danes from the Gilmore Girls-meets-The Office ensemble cast of misfits. 

And if there’s not? At least I had fun naming the episodes.

Please drop me a line and send your thoughts on Vella; I’ll be posting another blog with more tips soon! 

Kendra Griffin is an indie author, writing teacher, and developmental editor who has never met a good dog or a good underdog she didn’t fall in love with. Learn more about Kendra on her website or follow her on Twitter or Facebook. Her Vella serial is called A People’s History of Magic, and the first 3 episodes, like all Vella serials, are free.