Have you read a multi-author collaboration yet? They can be such a fun way to set up camp around an intriguing premise or in a heartwarming setting.
Sometimes, all the stories are based in one setting, grouped fairly close together in time, such as in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. Other times, as in The Christmas Heirloom novella collection, perhaps it’s one item, passed down through generations, that ties the stories together. Or, it could be a season—both of those collections center around Christmastime.
One thing I enjoy about collaborations is that they let me sample new-to-me authors. What a great way to find new favorites! For example, I read the Christmas Heirloom collection because I’m a Becky Wade fan. That’s how I discovered how much I like Karen Witemeyer’s writing.
Another draw is the way certain elements carry over into all the stories, expanding the story world and making it seem more and more real with every overlapping character, place, event, or item.
As a writer, however, I wondered about the challenges of creating closely-tied stories. I imagined penning a scene that included someone else’s character would be especially difficult. After all, main characters, especially, become pretty distinct! How could someone get all the nuances right if they weren’t the one to come up with the character in the first place? How do these collaborations work?
I got to find out first hand when I was invited to join the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series, and I thought you might enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes.
One of the first things that landed in my inbox after I agreed (quite happily, I might add) to join the series was an email outlining some of the basics including how long the story should be, where it was to be set, what point of view to use (dual narrators, third person), and so on.
This provides a framework so readers can know, in general, what to expect when you choose to pick up a Christmas in Redemption Ridge story.
To get the details right, we also keep a spreadsheet about characters, places, and events.
Then, there’s coordination directly between authors. If someone else’s character makes a cameo, the author writing the scene sends the original creator of the character the excerpt. That way, the original creator can advise of any details that might need to be changed.
I got to put all of this to use when I set out to write the epilogue for my contribution to the series, Bidding on a Second Chance. Because it’s the last that will be released this year (don’t worry—more are planned for next year!), I thought it would be appropriate to end with a scene that has cameos of characters from every participating author.
What I would’ve imagined to be difficult turned out to be a smooth and fun process because of the framework we already had in place. (And it doesn’t hurt that the other authors are all gracious and kind, making them a joy to collaborate with!)
If you’re curious how it all turned out, I hope you’ll pre-order Bidding on a Second Chance. But for all those cameos to mean the most, don’t miss the earlier books in the series! Marrying the Rancher’s Daughter and Remembering the Rancher are both out already, with another book releasing once every two weeks through December 13th. You can browse the whole series here.
Which multi-author collaborations have you enjoyed?
Hi Emily! I enjoy reading multi-author collaborations, which is a great way to meet new authors. Two wonderful collaborations by IR authors are: Easter in Gilead with Valerie Comer, Elizabeth Maddrey, Heather Gray and Narelle Atkins AND my favorite series released in 2018 A Tuscan Legacy with Elizabeth Maddrey, Heather Gray, Narelle Atkins and other authors no longer a part of the IR blog. I also enjoy reading historical romance multi-author collaborations. Thanks you for sharing the process. Best wishes and blessed collaboration. Enjoy your weekend.
Oh, I’m not familiar with those series! Thanks so much for the recommendations!
I don’t actually read many of these multi Author collaborations or novella collections. I did read the Christmas Heirloom collection that you mentioned, because I to am a big Becky Wade fan.
I also read another Christmas collection just a few years back that had a novella by Erica Vetsch in it. Her story in it went along with a series she wrote, and I just had to read it!
I do like it when collaborations give us a way to spend extra time in a story world we already enjoy from another series! You know it’s a talented author when they hook us enough to get us to make the leap into a series/collaboration we might not have read otherwise 🙂
I’ve read some of the earlier Redemption Ridge books, and I’ve read quite a few other multi-author series, one of the longest being Tales of the Grace Chapel Inn. I love to read books set in the same locations and have new characters brought in. It’s part of the reason I love Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, where you get recurring characters without all of their backstory.
Cameo appearances by other characters seem to be one of readers’ favorite things about series like these. So glad you’ve found a few to enjoy!
I read the first two as arc in this multi author collaboration and read some from the previous years Redemption ridge series I have enjoyed them.
I do enjoy series like these.
The California Gold Rush Romance Collection
Seven Brides for Seven Mail Order Husbands
The Backcountry Brides
The Captive Brides
The Pony Express. I
do enjoy books that have different authors in the series.
I also enjoy series by the same author.
Like: High Sierra Sweethearts series by Mary Connealy
American Heiresses series by Jen Turano
The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series by Jen Turano
Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower
These are just a few of my top favorites
I really enjoyed the Heroea of Freedom Ridge series, and the Easter in Gilead series, I haven’t read any of Christmas in Redemption Ridge yet but I’m looking forward to it.
It must be really hard to keep all the details straight in an ordinary multi book series, let alone one with lots of authors! I love that you have a spreadsheet to keep track lol.
Thank you so much for sharing. I love all the authors in the Freedom Ridge group. I have been so swamped with reading ARC’s and book club books that I have not had an opportunity to read my TBR. God bless you.
The Freedom Ridge authors love you, too! 💟
I like multi author series. Read a couple this year. Easter in Gilead and most of the Trinity Lakes books (haven’t read much since August due to several issues).
I have also read others over the years. I have loved some of the LI ones where there are 6 books over 6 months. One was set in Alaska which I loved and another in Texas.
Its good to hear how different authors work together. I know its not always smooth saving but when it is the books seem to flow much better. I also like when the ones where there are only around 6 or so in a series. When they keep going I tend to get behind and stop buying the books. When its over an event or time like Christmas its different.
Congrats on the new book