Publishing isn’t different. Readers are wary re: starting books that signal a series, lest the sequels never appear. Therefore, publishers decline to produce further books, on the grounds of weak sales - and the prophecy self-fulfills. And that’s IF readers were aware of the books’ existence at all.

I have always been willing to read series books out of order. That usually happens when I find an appealing book at a bookstore and book 1 is sold out. If I like book 3 or whatever then I’ll buy book 1 or get it at the library later.

Yeah… some of the things in the ideas folder definitely have ‘and then there’s a sequel coming’ as the end and I hesitate to even invest anymore into them because I know what publishers think of series, especially from a first time author

Back in the 80s/90s, my dad had a knack for buying book 2 in a trilogy where book 1 was out of print & book 3 never published. It was kinda hilarious after a while.

100%! It's so frustrating on every front. Just give people time and let the thing build!

I don’t know about publishing, but with Netflix, it seems like a little transparency would go a long way. Shows like Shadow and Bone seemed to be insanely popular and seemed to get not only the views, but the SM activity, and they still cancelled. They should provide the numbers to back it.

At least in publishing I can buy the first book in a trilogy and just hold onto it waiting for the sequels, which isn't really possible with TV.