They’re everywhere, Reader. Filling up Bookstagram, Pinterest, and bookshop shelves. Pulled from the 4 corners of the world and translated into every major language and media.
“Now in English for the first time!”
“A Barnes & Noble Exclusive!”
“The novel series that inspired the live-action show!”
What could it be? 🤔
I’m talking about serialized novels of course. More specifically, the illustrated kind. No, I’m not talking about graphic novels. I mean Light Novels, Danmei with illustrated extras, and special edition hardcovers with illustrated key scene inserts.
And though they may be flooding the shelves now, it might surprise you to know this new hot craze sweeping bookstore shelves isn’t actually new. In fact, it’s actually as old as Dickens. Yes, that Dickens.
Yep, you heard correctly.
Due largely in part to the increase in literacy + printing tech + story distribution during the Victorian era, the serialized illustrated novel was the It Thing back in the day. Which is—you guessed it—exactly why we’re seeing a rise in illustrated novels and serialized fiction today.
Distribution
Today serialized stories and illustrated novels can be read on dozens of digital platforms and apps. You can buy physical copies in bookshops or web stores, or even the same stores where you buy laundry soap and pasta dinners. You can even write one on your blog or Patreon. Right now, the distribution options are limitless.
Printing Tech
In the Victorian era, stories by Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were originally serialized in weekly periodicals or magazines like The Strand. Then they might be optioned by a publisher for a small run hardbound novel.
Today you have every option from gold foil dust jacket hardbounds to print-on-demand paperbacks. The super lux options like sprayed edges and velvety matte letter-pressed hardcovers are even available among other shiny options to indies through printers like 48HR Books.
Literacy
We might like to think less people are reading…but compared to 150 years ago, the amount of stories being consumed is astounding. And not just that, the spectrum of people given the opportunity to become authors is even more astounding.
Let’s be perfectly real for a moment, it used to just be white men of a certain privileged class. Now anyone has the option. We have put storytelling in the hands of the people.
So maybe you’d like to try your hand at one of these yourself. Well here’s a simple breakdown of the main types.
Illustrated Novels
Like chapter books for older Story Questers
Ever read a novel and think to yourself, you know what would make this even better? Some pictures. Illustrated Novels are exactly that. What started with serialized stories like A Christmas Carol and A Study in Scarlet continued with Stephen King’s Cycle of the Werewolf.
Today you have CG Drew’s bestselling Don’t Let the Forest In which features the creatures that character Thomas Rye draws in the story.
Light Novels
It’s not manga, but your fav anime might just be based on a Light Novel
They got their start in Japanese pulp magazines in the 1970s. As such, they had manga style illustrations at the beginning of each story or chapter so they’d mesh well with the other manga and video game articles in the magazine.
And though serialized, the combined length of a Light Novel averages about 50,000 words and is aimed at the Young Adult or New Adult market. Also most Light novels are either RomComs or Isekai Fantasy.
If you’re looking for good examples, check out Seven Seas Entertainment or Yen Press, the 2 major publishing translators for a lot of Asian print media.
However, not all Light Novels are Japanese. I’ve also got some from Germany, Britain, and the US.
Danmei
The Chinese genre sweeping the world
This Chinese fiction genre is focused on romanticized tales of love and sometimes explicit sexual attraction between men. It’s more or less the Chinese equivalent of the Japanese Boys Love genre. Although all the well-known Danmei authors are women, the genre and media form is created for all to enjoy.
Unlike Light Novels, interior Danmei illustrations can be in any style from manga to detailed fantasy watercolors.
I hope this stroll through illustrated novels piqued your interest, Reader. And if you’re an author/illustrator, you now know you’ve got another avenue of storytelling available to you with the reemergence of the illustrated novel.
However, if you’re not an illustrator/artist yourself and still want to produce one of the story types I mentioned today, please, PLEASE DO NOT USE AI.
AI hurts artists, illustrators, and other graphic professionals. Don’t hurt your fellow creatives by using AI.
I promise you, there are very affordable creatives willing to work with you out there. Please give them the option.
Well until next time, this is your friendly neighborhood storytelling Kat wishing you a wonderfully creative week.
Your cohort in storytelling,
Kat Vancil
🐱
PS 👉 Fun Facts:
Yes, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was originally a serialized illustrated story.
The Green Mile by Stephen King was originally a serialized novel before being made into a film.
Sword Art Online by Reki Kawahara and the Captive Prince series by C. S. Pacat both started out as serialized web novels.
Did your friend, co-worker, or some rando you met at a con forward this email to you?
First off, they have good taste.
Secondly, you can join the Storyteller's Saga too and get edutaining emails delivered to your inbox weekly by clicking the golden button below.
|
|
David Perell
I write, host a podcast, and run a writing school called Write of Passage. Join 70,000+ people and get a distilled email of the coolest things I learn and find each week. |
