I decided to give Vella a try.
In a nutshell, Amazon’s latest program (beta in the US for now) allows authors to publish new stories in serial episodes that readers can access though tokens. (The first three episodes of every serial are free — no fiddling with the tokens required). Readers can “thumbs up” episodes they enjoy and thereby push them up in visibility.
For authors who have published their episodic writing on programs like Wattpad, this is a great way to leverage their fanbase and earn revenue. Over a thousand fantasy stories showed up on Vella on the first day, and one had over a thousand “thumbs up.”
It wasn’t mine. Lol.
The Necromancer’s Daughter Blurb
The mechanics of setting up a Vella story, posting episodes, and editing them is easy… because there aren’t a lot of options. I don’t mind that, though some authors seem to want more formatting flexibility.
The cost per episode to the reader (after the first free ones) is pennies, and as far as I can tell, the author’s accumulated revenue after 80k words, is about the same as a kindle sale.
I’m undecided about whether Vella and I are a good fit, but I’m committed. Writing and publishing in episodes is nerve-wracking and instantly gratifying for those adrenaline junkies who enjoy hitting the Publish button with every “chapter.”
And when the serial story is finished, authors can always delete it and republish it as a book. In that regard, no effort is wasted. And who knows, we might pick up a few new readers along the way.
If you have the time and want to see what this is all about… (Update 9/17/21. I deleted the story! For reasons my check out my post: Why I deleted my Vella story. )
You can also check out the Serial-Pro Teagan Geneviene’s story: Pride and Flowers, Prejudice and Dirigibles.
Have you considered Vella as an author or reader? Any first impressions?
If you have a Vella story in the works, feel free to share the link.
Myths of the Mirror 
This method of publishing sounds interesting. Can other genres besides fantasy publish that way?
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Absolutely. I don’t think they’re allowing poetry at this point, but all sorts of fiction and non-fiction. It ended up not working for me and they way I write, Molly, and I put in a request to Amazon yesterday to delete my story. I plan to post about my “failure” tomorrow. Thanks so much for checking out the post. If you decide to give it a try, have fun.
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Thanks for the info.
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I’ve never heard of Vella before, Diana but it sounds fascinating and reminds me very much on how Charles Dickens published his stories in newspapers. I think I’m going to do a bit more research on this one. 😉 In the meantime wishing you a huge success trying it out!!! ❤
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At this point its a beta in the US only, Sarah, but I suspect it will expand to other countries as Amazon works out the kinks. I’m trying to post one chapter a week, and so far that’s working out. I suspect that I’ll turn it into a regular old book in the end. 🙂 Thanks for taking a peek at the post! <2
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I bet they will! And I know you will turn it into a fab new book (no regular old ones allowed I’m afraid. 😉 )! 😀
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Is this just in the USA for now Diana? xxx
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I just tried to follow the link to my Amazon US page and they said someone tried to sign in on 28th July and for me to approve or disapprove. Argh, I can’t get the dammed thing sorted. I was hoping to read both yours and Teagans. Fingers crossed I get it sorted. xxx
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That sounds annoying. I get so anxious when things like that happen. Good luck!
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Keeping up with hackers is a full-time job! When do we have time to write? Yikes! 💖
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❤
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Yes, just the US, Adele. I imagine that they’re working out the kinks and seeing how well it’s received. I’m unsure about this way of writing and being read, but I’m giving it a try. More updated in the future. Have a lovely day and Happy Writing!
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Great to hear about first and positive reactions to this new Amazon invention. Will start to read yours tomorrow, Diana. Now its 2 p.m., because yesterday i had another procrastination tour. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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LOL. If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it, Michael. It’s still a beta program in the US (for now) but I suspect it will branch out to the rest of the world once the kinks are worked out. Thanks for taking a look at the post! Happy Reading.
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing, Michael. This is all very new and different. It will be interesting to see where it goes and whether Amazon will tweak the program. Have a wonderful day, my friend. 😀
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It’s an interesting idea and I look forward t hearing how it all works out. I tried to read your first episode but Amazon asked if I had moved! I knew only people in the US could take part but hadn’t realised the rest of the world can’t read the stories.
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Thanks for trying, Mary. Just US for now while the program is in beta. It’s very different, and I’m sure they want to work out the kinks first. I imagine that a lot of authors will drop out or never finish their stories, which can be frustrating for readers. The beta period will work through some of those challenges too. I’m still undecided if this is for me, but I’ll keep going and finish this one book. Thanks for the visit and be well. Hugs.
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[…] Head over to find out more about The Necromancer’s Daughter and Diana’s thoughts on Vella:The Necromancer’s Daughter, and initial thoughts about Vella […]
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Thanks so much for sharing the post, Sally. It’s an interesting experiment!
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it’s still somewhat confusing to me Diana … I’ll have to look at this again closure.. thanks💖💖💖
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It is confusing, Cindy. I didn’t really explain how it all works, just some first impressions. I was inundated by Amazon with posts about it’s launch and didn’t realize that the rest of humanity wasn’t also getting them. Lol. There are other posts in blogland that explain how it works with some great graphics. We’ll see how this works out… I’m still on the fence, but there isn’t really any risk, so why not? Have a lovely week and Happy August!
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oh good to know and I think you did fine Diana.
I’m just learning the ropes of all of these but it takes total sense to try something new. I think you explained it fIne and it’s a good experiment. Exactly…why not❣️❣️
You do the same💖
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This is the second mention of Vella I’ve come across and it’s interesting to hear of someone actually giving it a go. I did click on the link – just in case it wouldn’t realise I wasn’t in the US – but it knew.
Your blurb is deliciously enticing – and that cover? Fabulous! I’m looking forward to the Kindle version when it’s ready. xx
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Thanks so much for taking a look, Trish. I figured why not give it a try since there isn’t too much risk in the long run. It will be an interesting adventure at least. And thanks for the comment on the cover and blurb. 🙂 I’m glad it caught your attention! Hugs.
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Sounds like an interesting concept Diana.. my one concern is that there is already 20,000 kindle books being uploaded every week and is this going to make it even harder to get books noticed? Like all new developments they take a while to filter through and it may well be the future of publishing at some point… Great to try it out for us all and look forward to more updates as it unfolds.. hugsxx
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These books are a whole different beast, Sally, and they’re geared toward a different audience (mostly writers who have been “posting as they go” stories on platforms like Wattpad. Right now, there’s a huge surge of stories entering the system, but my guess is that many authors and serials will fade away as the novelty wears off. I also think most of these stories aren’t professionally edited and therefore (just my guess) book-readers wouldn’t find them as satisfying. It will be interesting to see what happens. Thanks for taking a look. I have a feeling I’ll finish the serial I started and then probably turn it into a book at the end. 🙂
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Great to have you testing the waters Diana.. I know that there are a number of new concepts out there and you can’t try them all, so having someone on the ground is very helpful…hugsx
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Thanks for the introduction to Vella, Diana. I like that we can take it down and then put out as a book. ❤
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I don’t think I would have tried it otherwise, Debby. This way I can try something new, but without a lot of risk. It is a different way of working for me, that’s for sure. 🙂 Thanks for taking a peek and enjoy a peaceful day, my friend. Hugs.
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Thanks again for sharing this ❤
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It sounds very interesting, this kind of publishing. There used to be writers who published on a weekly basis in newspapers, and I am curious to see how this works with a modern twist.
I am certain you can tackle Vella!
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I’m tackling, Basilike, but it’s quite different to be writing and publishing this way. Nerve-wracking but fun to try something new. Wattpad has 90 million users who write and read episodic stories, and I’m certain Amazon wants a piece of that if they can get it. Thanks so much for taking a peek at the post. Hugs.
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❤️
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Thanks for trying out Vella and explaining it to us here. I’ve been quite confused about what it is. I hit your link and am following your story — I think — but it came through on my computer. Does it go into the Kindle? Computer reading doesn’t work for me long. Hopefully I’ll figure this out….
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No worries, Pam. It doesn’t go to kindle. It’s a mobile thingy meant to be read on phones (or pc, I guess). I should have said that, but I’m still figuring it out. Yeesh. Thanks so much for kindly taking a peek at the story and following, but really don’t worry about it. Trust me, I’m not a computer-screen reader either.
I have no idea how this Vella experiment is going to turn out, and there’s a good chance that I’ll covert the serial into a book in the end. It’s just fun to try something new since there isn’t much risk. Thanks for the visit and I hope I didn’t leave you more confused! 😀 😀 Hugs.
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I woke up in the middle of the night worrying – not about what Vella is – you explained it great except for the part of not being on the Kindle. :-0 But that’s not your fault – why do they call it the “Kindle Vella”??? That’s what’s confusing. And I’m disappointed that I can’t read your serial ’cause I avoid computer/phone reading. Well, guess I’ll just have to wait until you publish it as a book. 🙂
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Vella is not worth losing sleep over. Lol. And I have no idea why they call it kindle Vella. That is confusing!
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And believe me, I’m already confused enough in the first place. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Too funny. ❤
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[…] publishing this episodic story through Kindle Vella after reading D. Wallace Peach’s thoughts about […]
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Thanks so much for linking, Lucy. Very kind of you and much appreciated. Happy Writing!
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This is really cool! It’s the first I’ve heard about it, and it looks pretty interesting — I think I might give it a shot, myself! I just followed your story and look forward to reading the episodes! 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by Angela! And for following the story. I hope it keeps your interest. It’s definitely a different experience to write and publish as I go along. But the risk seems small in the long run and there may be some benefits as the program settles in. And my review post is up… featuring your wonderful book! https://mythsofthemirror.com/2021/07/27/july-book-reviews-2/
Have a beautiful day!
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