Episode 306 - Finding Readers Through Serialization with JP Rindfleisch IX

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JP Rindfleisch discusses FINDING READERS THROUGH SERIALIZATION, including how writing serial fiction differs from traditional novels; tips for keeping readers engaged with serialized stories; the pros and cons of platforms; and how indie authors can use serialized novels to build community, test ideas, and strengthen their overall self-publishing strategy.

JP Rindfleisch IX writes cozy queer fantasy and dark paranormal academy. Best known for Mandrake Manor and Mosswood Apothecary, which started as serials and were later novelized, including a successful Kickstarter for Mosswood Apothecary’s special edition. They also created the Tapas Premium serial The Greatest Storm Mage Needs a Break, co-author NRDS: A Queer Paranormal Comedy Serial, and the Leah Ackerman Dark Paranormal Academy book series. JP also founded Rockford Area Writers, an 80+ member community supporting local authors in Rockford, Illinois, and is an editor over on Dialogue Doctor with Jeff Elkins.

Episode Links

https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jp_rindfleisch/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jprindfleisch

https://www.youtube.com/@jprindfleisch

Summary

​In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with JP Rindfleisch IX about the opportunities and challenges of serializing fiction, the evolution of serialization platforms, and how authors can leverage serialization both creatively and professionally.

SERIALIZATION AS A PATHWAY INTO WRITING
JP began writing serials through a mix of serendipity and collaboration. Initially co-writing the Leah Ackerman series, his entry into serialization came when Kindle Vella launched. A colleague suggested starting a podcast about serials, which quickly led to JP co-writing a serialized project called NRDS with Jeff Elkins. This experience revealed that working chapter by chapter felt more manageable than drafting a full novel at once. Serialization gave JP confidence that story arcs could hold together while allowing flexibility to adapt as he went. The result was a writing process he now uses consistently.

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF SERIALIZATION
Matty raised the issue of Kindle Vella’s closure and whether this reflected declining reader interest. JP noted he wasn’t privy to Amazon’s internal decisions but pointed out that Vella’s bonus program provided unique financial opportunities for authors, which are now gone. He emphasized that the retirement of platforms like Vella or Radish doesn’t signal the end of serialized fiction. Instead, it reflects business shifts, as serialization remains vibrant on platforms like Wattpad, Royal Road, Substack, Patreon, and Tapas. Serialization thrives globally, particularly in Eastern markets, and continues to grow in Western markets.

BENEFITS OF SERIALIZATION
For JP, serialization offers accountability and close connection to readers. Publishing episodes in real time enables feedback that can influence story direction. For example, when readers expressed interest in the history of a town in Mosswood Apothecary, JP expanded the worldbuilding in response. Reader polls also shaped details like what kind of spirit creature would appear, while leaving the overarching arc intact. This interactive model turned serialization into both a creative driver and a form of market research, revealing what readers wanted and reinforcing his storytelling choices.

He contrasted this with novel writing, where feedback usually arrives after a complete draft. Serialization allowed him to test ideas, adapt quickly, and maintain creative momentum. For authors with strengths in ideation and input, JP suggested this approach can prevent burnout from excessive worldbuilding without storytelling payoff.

CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY AND OUTLINING
JP uses a structured yet flexible process: outlining each chapter with a sentence summary, then expanding it into beats and full drafts. He always plans for “pillars”—key moments he wants to reach—while giving himself permission to deviate from the outline. This balance allows room for reader-influenced adjustments while keeping the story anchored. He typically knows the final scene of a serial before starting and writes toward that conclusion, adjusting the path along the way.

CO-AUTHORSHIP AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Matty observed that serializing with a co-author introduces layers of collaboration—not just with the co-writer but also with readers. JP explained that his early co-authored serial NRDS didn’t yet have strong community feedback, so the challenges of merging co-author and reader input didn’t fully overlap. Later projects written solo let him navigate reader engagement more directly.

BUILDING AN AUDIENCE THROUGH SERIALIZATION
JP argued that authors can both leverage an existing audience and build a new one through serialization. Platforms like Wattpad and Tapas expose writers to readers who may not encounter their novels elsewhere. He advised caution about platform risks—Vella’s closure is a reminder of the instability of relying solely on third-party services. Still, serialization can help funnel readers into longer-term relationships on an author’s own site or subscription platform.

PLATFORM SELECTION AND STRATEGY
JP’s platform journey started with Kindle Vella for its financial potential. He later attracted the attention of Tapas, where one of his stories became a premium project. Tapas offered tiered monetization and exposure to audiences familiar with manga and anime storytelling, aligning well with his cozy queer fantasy works. He described Laterpress as another author-friendly option, enabling direct sales and subscriptions through customizable web pages.

Other platforms like Wattpad, Royal Road, Substack, and Ream also offer serialization opportunities, each with different models of monetization and control. JP emphasized that owning one’s own platform provides security but requires active marketing. Platforms like Tapas or Vella supplied built-in visibility, while independent publishing demands authors take full responsibility for promotion.

ONGOING VISIBILITY AND MARKETING
JP highlighted how platforms continue to market completed serials differently from ongoing ones. On Tapas, ongoing series benefit from episodic promotion, while finished stories are marketed through completion-based campaigns, driving continued readership. He observed that serials can provide steady income during release and long-tail discoverability afterward.

For marketing, JP once used Facebook ads for Kindle Vella but finds ad economics harder to justify on other platforms. His current focus is on social media and TikTok for promoting completed novels, with plans to direct more attention to membership platforms once he has sufficient content built up.

CONTRACTUAL CAUTIONS
When evaluating platform contracts, JP advised authors to watch for clauses around rights ownership, contract duration, and right of first refusal for future works. He stressed the importance of understanding what publishers or platforms can claim, and when rights revert to the author.

CRAFT CONSIDERATIONS FOR SERIALS
On the craft side, JP distinguished between novels and serials. While novels can have uneven chapter lengths and pacing, serials require installments to function as satisfying units. Readers expect consistency in length—his chapters typically range between 1,400 and 2,000 words—and each installment should deliver progression or a hook. Converted into novels, serials often read faster because of this rhythm.

Serialization also demands balancing immediate arcs with overarching ones. Using NRDS as an example, JP and Jeff structured it with cycles: large group scenes every few episodes, ghost-hunting missions, relationship-building moments, and overarching arcs involving children’s spirits and town politics. This cadence kept readers engaged while weaving in humor and emotional depth.

BREATHERS AND PACING
Matty noted that novels often allow for quieter chapters, but serials demand each installment feel complete. JP explained that even breather episodes must stand alone. He pointed to “filler” episodes in anime—moments of respite that can still provide value if handled well. For instance, he included a picnic scene in Mosswood Apothecary that provided calm before upcoming conflict while still entertaining readers in its weekly context.

INCOME, COMMUNITY, AND LONG-TERM STRATEGY
JP acknowledged that income was an early motivation, and Kindle Vella’s bonus program even approached his day-job salary at times. While that program no longer exists, serialization still helps him complete stories, build community, and generate content he can later novelize and sell. He sees each serialized work as intellectual property that can extend into multiple formats, from novels to potential adaptations.

FINAL ADVICE
For authors considering serialization, JP recommended adjusting mindset from writing novels to crafting installments with their own arcs and hooks. He emphasized consistency in word count, pacing, and engagement, along with openness to reader interaction. Serialization offers unique opportunities for accountability, audience building, and creative experimentation, but requires careful planning, marketing effort, and attention to contractual terms.

Overall, Matty and JP’s discussion highlighted serialization as a dynamic publishing option. It provides a way to connect with readers in real time, test ideas, and repurpose stories across formats, making it a valuable tool in an author’s publishing strategy.