Understanding the Differences Between Standalone Novels, Closed Series, Open Series, and Mixed Series

Did you know the structure of a story—how it's built and presented—has a significant impact on the storytelling experience? 

As an author, choosing between writing a standalone novel, a closed series, an open series, or a mixed series shapes not only your creative process but also your relationship with readers. Each format comes with its own advantages, challenges, and storytelling techniques. 

This guide will break down these formats, help you understand their unique qualities, and offer recommendations for how to approach them based on your vision.

Standalone Novels

A standalone novel is a self-contained story that has a clear beginning, middle, and end within one book. Once the final page is turned, the primary plot and character arcs are resolved, leaving readers satisfied without requiring further installments.

Characteristics of Standalone Novels:

• The entire plot is confined to one book, focusing on a single main story.

• By the end, all major conflicts are resolved, and there’s little room for continuation.

• The world-building tends to be concise, offering just enough detail to support the story without excess material for future installments.

Pros of Writing a Standalone Novel:

• Easier for new authors to publish and promote without committing to multiple books.

• Allows for creative freedom to experiment with new genres, styles, or themes in subsequent projects.

• No pressure to sustain long-term continuity across multiple books.

Challenges:

• Standalone novels need to establish a world, develop characters, and deliver a satisfying narrative all within one book.

• Authors must decide what to prioritize and leave out to avoid overwhelming readers.

Standalone novels are ideal for writers who have a clear, self-contained story in mind or who want to explore a variety of unrelated ideas.

Closed Series

A closed series is a set of books with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Each book contributes to an overarching narrative, and the final installment ties up all major plot threads and character arcs.

Characteristics of Closed Series:

• The series follows one main story that unfolds over multiple books.

• Often, authors outline the major beats of the series before beginning, with the goal to support continuity and resolution.

• Characters often undergo significant development and growth over the course of the series.

Pros of Writing a Closed Series:

• Creates deep emotional investment as readers follow characters through multiple books.

• Offers the opportunity to develop intricate plots and expansive world-building.

• Appeals to readers who enjoy the satisfaction of a finite story with a definitive conclusion.

Challenges:

• Keeping track of characters, settings, and plot points across multiple books can be daunting and requires consistency.

• Writing and publishing a series requires sustained effort over years, demanding a long-term commitment.

Popular Closed series include The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games. 

Open Series

An open series consists of books that share the same world or characters, but do not necessarily follow a single overarching story. Each installment can often be read as a standalone, though some recurring elements (e.g., character relationships or overarching subplots) may carry through.

Characteristics of Open Series:

• Each book is a self-contained adventure, though it may reference events from previous books.

• The setting and world-building is often rich and flexible enough to support a wide variety of stories.

• Characters may develop gradually over time but don’t always follow a single defined arc.

• It is common for each book to be about a different set of characters.

Pros of Writing an Open Series:

• Flexibility to explore different storylines, themes, and character perspectives without committing to a predefined ending.

• Continuous readership is created because fans can jump into the series at various points.

• An open series can grow indefinitely as long as there’s demand and inspiration.

Challenges:

• Maintaining freshness by making sure each installment feels unique and engaging can be difficult.

• While separate story arcs, inconsistencies in characters or world-building can disrupt immersion.

Open series are prevalent in genres like mystery (Sherlock Holmes), romance (Bridgerton), and urban fantasy (The Dresden Files).

Mixed Series

A mixed series blends elements of both closed and open series. It may feature an overarching storyline like a closed series, but individual books or subseries can also function as standalones. Alternatively, it might consist of multiple smaller arcs that interconnect to create a larger narrative.

Characteristics of Mixed Series:

• Allows for some flexibility in the structure with a larger overarching plot.

• Subplots and character arcs can resolve within one book or carry across several installments.

• The world-building often supports both standalone adventures and interconnected narratives.

Pros of Writing a Mixed Series:

• Readers can enjoy individual books without needing to commit to the entire series, but dedicated fans are rewarded with deeper connections and payoffs.

• Offers the freedom to experiment while maintaining continuity.

• Secondary characters or subplots can inspire future books or subseries.

Challenges:

• Balancing the openness of storytelling elements with an overarching story requires careful planning.

• There is a risk of uneven pacing since some books may feel less significant if they’re primarily serving the larger narrative.

Mixed series are often seen in long-running fantasy sagas (The Wheel of Time), shared-world fiction (Discworld), and interconnected romance series (Sarah J. Maas).

Choosing the Right Format for Your Story

Deciding which format to pursue depends on your story’s scope, your goals as a writer, and your readers’ expectations.

Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you have a single, self-contained story to tell? A standalone novel might be your best option.

• Are you passionate about creating a long-term narrative with a definitive ending? A closed series could be the way to go.

• Do you love exploring a dynamic world or revisiting favorite characters in episodic adventures? Consider an open series.

• Do you want the flexibility to write self-contained stories while building toward a larger narrative? A mixed series might strike the perfect balance.

Remember, the format you choose shapes not only the storytelling process but also how your work is marketed and received by readers.

How From Seed to Story Can Help

Whether you’re writing a standalone, a closed series, an open series, or a mixed-format series, From Seed to Story offers a group journey experience that meets you where you are—then helps you grow.

This program is designed to support all story structures by offering foundational tools and tailored guidance inside a collaborative and inspiring container. You'll learn how to:

• Craft self-contained narratives: Develop satisfying story arcs that can stand on their own—perfect for standalones or episodic entries in an open or mixed series.
  

• Design overarching series arcs: Map long-term plotlines and plan for rich, interconnected developments across books in a closed or mixed series.
  

• Build immersive worlds: Create flexible, layered settings that support both standalone adventures and sprawling epics.
  

• Shape memorable character journeys: Master how to write characters who can either evolve across a series or leave a lasting impression in one book.
  

• Engage readers through structure and pacing: Whether your story wraps in one volume or unfolds over many, learn to keep readers turning the pages—and coming back for more.
  

• Balance episodic and cumulative storytelling: For mixed series, discover how to satisfy readers in each installment while still building toward something greater.
  

From Seed to Story is perfect for writers who crave structure and creative freedom. You’ll be part of a group journey that offers accountability, support, and shared momentum while giving you the tools to build the kind of story you’ve always dreamed of telling.

Looking for personalized, one-on-one support? Inquire about Weaving the Writer’s Web, our 1:1 story mentorship experience for authors ready to go even deeper with dedicated, custom guidance.

So, what will you create next?

There is no better time to start weaving and nourishing story seeds than today.