About two weeks ago, it occurred to me I could revise it to fit in one of my series. The thing is--it would take considerable change. I liked the characters. I liked the story premise. But in order to fit in my series, the hero would have to become an angel/shifter. The story would have to change location. And most certainly, it would need to be lengthened and receive a new title.
My question is this--how does the author convey to the potential reader that the new book was loosely (very loosely) based on a previously published short story? I once bought a book by a favorite author, only to discover at least fifty percent of the new book was based on another book by the same author. There was no author's note in the book--nothing to explain why entire chapters were lifted from her first book, word for word.
So. What say you? Is this a no-no? Will readers be annoyed if certain scenes seem familiar? The short story had a VERY limited readership. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing?
All opinions welcome.
anny
Just put the information on your dedications page. As in - This book was previously released as a short story. Now brand new extended material. Something like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, lovely one!
DeleteI agree with Julia. Readers hate being misled. If you clearly state it's based on story X, but revised, extended etc, I think everyone will accept that.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Oh, yes, I was really frosted after I paid a chunk of money for a book that was mostly composed by big bits from another book I already owned! And the story wasn't changed in any material way except for the names.
Delete