Hi everyone,
My first novel is due out end of this year - I don't have a multi-book deal, just a first refusal clause with my publisher. I'm currently trying to crack on with the Difficult Second Book and have a number of dilemmas - really grateful for any advice/ insight.
The book I'm writing now (Number 2) is not the one I really wanted to write next, if I'm honest. However, it is the one (out of the several in my head ...) which is most similar to Number 1. (By similar I mean it is essentially a contemporary romance). Obviously the style is also quite similar as that is 'my' style. The storyline is very different from Number 1, but some of the themes are identical - e.g. the search for an absent father.
My concerns are two-fold - I'm aware of the importance of 'building the brand' so felt it was important not to stray too far from Number 1 - however, can it be too similar?
Secondly, am I doing the right thing by choosing my 'second favourite' book? The other one (which I still hope to write) is less of a straightforward romance, but there are plotlines focussing on relationships, which I could choose to emphasise these more.
Hope this makes sense, apologies for the long rant! I don't have an agent so it's difficult to get perspective from anyone objective. I have just finished a (rough-ish) first draft so am possibly just at the 'Oh my God, what a load of rubbish, why do I bother' stage with it all
Cheers
C

Can you write a synopsis/blurb for the publisher and ask their opinion?
Persionally I wouldn't be so worried for myself/my 'brand' etc, but more worried about whether they already have something very similar in the pipeline which will come out before yours.



- NaomiM

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Although, saying that, I think you just need to finish it and submit it. It's always going to be a gamble whether or not they pick it up, and you still have the other idea to fall back on for bk.3