You might have already heard that my new thriller Option to Kill is now available. And while I’m excited to announce this, I’m equally excited to announce that it is being released as a serial thriller for Amazon Kindle! It will be like the old classic serial thrillers!
Here is the description of Option to Kill and a link to the listing:
This book is a Kindle Serial. Kindle Serials are stories published in episodes, with future episodes delivered at no additional cost. This serial currently contains one episode out of an estimated eight total episodes, and new episodes will be delivered every two weeks.
Nathan McBride, “the most brutally effective thriller hero to appear in years” (Ridley Pearson, author of Killer Weekend), returns in the third installment of one of the best new series in thriller fiction.
When Nathan McBride receives a text message from someone who claims she’s been kidnapped, it triggers a deadly chain of events that has the potential to haunt him for the rest of his life.
Nathan will soon learn that nothing from his past could ever prepare him for the crisis he’ll soon be facing. The girl’s name is Lauren and she’s just twelve years old. With virtually no experience with children, Nathan’s patience and compassion are about to be tested to their limits
In a violent confrontation, Nathan rescues Lauren from her kidnapper, but as he unravels Lauren’s story, he realizes his troubles are only beginning. She says she’s in the Witness Security Program, and doesn’t trust the US Marshals because she thinks they’re complicit in her abduction. Not only that, her stepdad was murdered last night.
In a desperate and unlikely alliance, Nathan and Lauren must stay one step ahead of her kidnapper and the brutal mercenaries who will kill anyone who gets in their way. Played out over the course of 36 lightning-fast hours, Nathan and Lauren must learn to trust each other or they won’t survive.
Click here to learn more!
To answer your question, it is not awesome. I read your other books on my Nook, and am very disappointed that there is a tug of war going on between these devices, and it is making readers choose authors, and authors choose publishers. I am saddened that I will not be able to read your new work, as I enjoyed your work. Just an assumption, but does this mean that all your works will be on Kindle, forcing me to buy another reader if I want to read your work?
Sean, Amazon Publishing bought the entire Nathan McBride series for its new Thomas & Mercer imprint line. I’m not well versed in eBook readers, but I know Kindle offers a free app for nearly all devices. Tablets, phones, computers, etc… Is there ANY way to read a Kindle book on a Nook? Some kind of conversion app?
Don’t buy a Kindle just to read my books, that’s not a good economic option. Have you downloaded the Kindle app to your computer? It’s free. OPTION TO KILL is being released as a serialized novel. Each episode (released every two weeks) is about 40-50 pages so they’ll be quick reads, not terrible for reading on a computer… The good news is: for the one-time price, $1.99, you get the entire serialized novel.
Feel free to contact me:
[email protected]
I’m feeling generous 🙂
When will the sequel to OPTION TO KILL be released? Will receive an email telling me to go back to the OPTION TO KILL book to read the second installment?
Susan, thank you for writing.
OPTION TO KILL is a serial novel. Amazon Publishing is reintroducing a few serialized novels. Sequels are not the same as serials. The entire OPTION TO KILL novel is the third book in the Nathan McBride series. It’s an freestanding novel, meaning you don’t have to read FIRST TO KILL and FORCED TO KILL before reading OPTION TO KILL.
Here’s what you need to understand. OPTION TO KILL is being released in serialized format (seven episodes) like the cliffhangers of the Victorian age. Amazon is releasing episodes of OPTION TO KILL as I write them. The book is not complete yet, I’m still writing it. Every two weeks, your Kindle will automatically download the next episode to the end of the previous episode. The advantage is the the price. For $1.99 you get the entire book (delivered in episodes) You don’t pay for each episode…
Here’s a link to something I posted in the OPTION TO KILL forum, please feel free to participate:
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Series/forum/Fx2QRFBV2B1BQYN/Tx21XN00HJC12AY/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_tp_sa_t?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B008MMQ50C
Mr Peterson-
I love your books and the Nathan McBride character. I HATE the serial format. I read a book or more a week and it is so annoying to have the book interrupted by the end of an episode. While waiting for the new episode, I read two other books and then have to go back in your book to get back up to speed. I can’t imagine anyone liking this format. Why not make it an option instead of forcing it on everyone?
Keep up the good work, but PLEASE ditch the serial format.
Tory, thanks for writing. Yeah, I hear you. Kindle Serials are not for everyone. My publisher is Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing’s new mystery/thriller imprint. T&M decided the format and thought people might enjoy the old serial release. You’re not alone. Many people have expressed reservations about the serial format – it’s not something most folks are comfortable with. Our world is fast, fast, fast. A huge emphasis is being put on speed, faster this, faster that. Try to think of it like a TV serial, HOMELAND or DEXTER. The serial is meant to draw the experience out over time, but as I said, they aren’t for everyone.
Here’s my suggestion: go ahead and order the eBook now while it’s inexpensive. It’s only $1.99 (you get all the episodes for that price) but after the serial is complete, the price will go up. I don’t know what the price will be, though. Amazon hasn’t told me. All the episodes will automatically download.
You can then wait until all the episodes have downloaded to read it in it’s entirety. But you have the option to take a peek if you want 🙂
It’s a true serial novel, episodes are being released as I write them. I’m working on the ending as we speak!
Hi Andrew,
I juat wanted to say that I really, really enjoyed your first 2 books. Finally some characters the calibre of Gabriel Allon, John Wells and Mitch Rapp. With the story lines to boot.
I do have one question I am a fan of your audible releases and I’m wondering if option to kill will be release in audio with Dick Hill as the narator?
Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Hi Dean:
It’s great hearing from you! Thank you for writing. Yes, Dick Hill is doing the narration for OPTION TO KILL. He’s actually reading it in segments as they’re submitted to production. The entire audiobook will be released all at once, probably in December. I think Dick does a terrific job and I hope you enjoy Nathan’s next adventure with Lauren!
Mr Peterson,
I have really enjoyed your first two books and specifically went to amazon.com to see what else you had written. I am not a fan of serial books at all, but might give the new one a try. However, I prefer to immerse myself in a good novel for a few hours and a chapter will only take me minutes to read.
I am very much looking forward to future books in the Nathan McBride series and will read them with enthusiasm. It is great to have talented authors emerging as my old favorites slow down or cease. I look forward to many more books from you in years to come. Keep up the good work and thank you for the interaction with your readers.
Melanie, thank you for the note. I totally hear you regarding serials. If you get the serial eBook now, it’s only $1.99 for the entire book, pretty cheap… You can then chose to wait until all the episodes have downloaded before reading it. Think of it like a pre-order of sorts but you have the option to read it early – in episodes. I’m writing the ending as we speak. It’s a true serial novel – being released as its written.
I appreciate your kind words, they mean a lot to me!
If you decide to download the book and read it as a serial, please write and let me know what you think, but be prepared for cliffhanger endings to episodes!
Hi Andrew,
I’m curious, when you are not writing, what authors/genres do you read?
Keep up the excellent work!
Mike
Hi Mike. I like reading thrillers and sci-fi. I came pretty close to becoming a sci-fi author, but when my first Nathan McBride novel sold, I began focusing on thrillers because my publisher wanted more Nathan books. I created the Nathan McBride character fifteen years ago, but I didn’t pursue a serious writing career until 2007.
What authors do you like?
Love your books! My wife, Kathy and I are big readers and book collectors. I am disappointed that I can’t add your works to our library of over 700 mostly autographed thrillers but that’s the world we now live in. I agree with not liking the serial format but did what you suggested to another reader and bought it now. Thanks for writing and just don’t kill off Harvey as Nathan would not be as likeable without him. Great work and thanks again!
Hi Jim, I’m honored you took time to write me. I’m pleased you enjoyed the Nathan McBride stories. Near the end of the year, all three books will be released in nice trade paperback format, if trades are okay?
I don’t plan to kill Harv, Nathan would have a meltdown!
Thanks for writing!
I somehow am not able to buy or download the book from amazon. It says its not currently available. Is it because I’m from Europe?
Hi Katre, I know there has been an issue with European sales. What country are you in? I’ll ask my editor at Amazon to look into it.
Well I’m not sure there is anything to be done about it, but I’m from Estonia. 🙂 Thanks for replying in any case.
Hi! I am reading Option to Kill, I really like the book and would like to know what happens next. I thought I would be recieving a download today, but did not. When is the next episode going to be released?
I also ordered it so I could see when episodes download. I didn’t receive my download email (Episode 4) until about an hour ago. It’s 7pm on Thursday, October 18th. Let me know if you don’t have it by tomorrow.
Rachael, I thought I’d replied to you, sorry about that. The episode schedule is every two weeks. Episode 6 will be released tomorrow, and the final episode on November 29th. You might want to wait and read it through to the end on the 29th, though… I hope you’re enjoying the serial!
I enjoy your books very much – Option to Kill is great, but I am also opposed to the [expletive deleted] serial format. I suppose I am building character or some other nonsense – but I only take a few days to go througth a book usually, this serial thing is killing me.
However, that mild criticism aside – please keep up the good work – this is a great series.
Hi Paul, you’re not alone with that feeling! I think Thomas & Mercer would’ve been better served if OPTION had been marketed as a pre-order where customers can read the novel early in episodes. OPTION is a true serial novel – it’s being released as I write the episodes.
But thank you! I appreciate your kind words, they mean a lot to me!
Option to Kill is the best in series so far but HATE!!,LOATHE!! this format Tell the publishers if aint broke, dont fix it.
Hi Marlene, hang in there. The wait will be worth it!
Episode 6, Nov 14th
Episode 7, Nov 29th
I would suggest waiting until Nov 29th to finish reading it, that’s when the last episode will download to your Kindle. Thank you for writing, you’re not alone in your opinion. Thomas & Mercer will publish book 4 as a regular book – no serialization! Cheers!
Read all three books this weekend (First to Kill, Forced to Kill & Option to Kill) OMG was shocked when came to the end Chapter 23. It says will download with the next episode, when?
Hi Debbie, thank you so much for talking the time to write. Episode 6 will be released on Nov 14th and the final episode on Nov 29th – the final episode is big – close to 90 pages. Lot’s of folks bought OPTION and didn’t realize it was a serial. Amazon is always trying new things. OPTION TO KILL is being published as I write the story. Each episode is being released right after it’s written. It’s a tough assignment, but I wanted to take the challenge! Thank you again for writing, and I hope you’ll enjoy the last two episodes!
Great read, looking for some more of this series. Hope this will be a long running series.
Hi Russ, thank you for the post and the kind words. I’m going to write several more books in the Nathan McBride series. I’m starting on book four in the next few weeks!
I love your books and am happy to have found a promising new author.
I personally detest this idea for “serial” books. If I wanted serial entertainment I would watch a sitcom and not read a novel.
Keep the books coming!
I am in Australia and Amazon says Option to Kill not available
Can you tell me when it will be
Daryl
Hi Daryl, please see my post to Dani below. I’m working on it!
I really loved your first two books but when I went to try to get your third it says kindle serials are available to US customers only. I’m from Australia so I was wonder when the serial is complete will I be able to download?
Hi Dani, thank you for the nice post! I have an inquiry into the Thomas & Mercer team at Amazon Publishing. I’ll let you know what they tell me. It might have something to do with the automatic download process. I’ll get an answer for you!
Same thing here Andrew.. Aussie with a kindle and no book 🙁
Love the first two!!!!
Lee, I’ve been told by my contact at Amazon that the serialized edition is not available outside the U.S. but there’s good news. The completed eBook will be launched everywhere. So the wait won’t be long. The final episode of OPTION will be released on November 29th and soon after that, the completed eBook will be available. OPTION will also be available in print and audio editions. Thank you again for the post. 🙂
Hi Andrew.. thanks for the reply. I worked out how to get it and thought I would write on here how to.
After logging into my Amazon account there is a “Country Settings” option. This allows you to change your address to something else. I changed it to a friends address in the US and I am now able to download your book.
I am trying to keep it until next week when I fly to the US for my honeymoon 🙂
Many thanks and please keep writing!!!
Lee
Lee, that’s great news! I’m so glad you’re able to get it. And congrats on getting married! That’s even better news!
> The final episode of OPTION will be released on November 29th
But…but…but….the previous episode was released two weeks ago *today* (I deliberately waited to buy the book so that I could get the entire thing at once!).
Katherine, it appears to be two weeks (and a day.) Can you hang in there? I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’ll even refund your purchase price if you are!
*rocking back and forth….teeth chattering*
I suppose…if I gotta.
*checks kindle again*
Damn, still not out yet.
(just kidding…of course I can hold out…I just wish I didn’t have to.)
Out of curiosity, why are you going the serial route? I don’t see where there is any advantage for either the author or the reader. 1) You’re putting out the same amount of book but getting paid even less than usual. 2) Readers are annoyed (and docking you stars) because each episode is so short.
I get that this is how it was done back in Dickens day, but things were different back then. Back then books were harder to write and harder to print. This made them much, much, MUCH more expensive to produce. Serials made them relatively affordable. But even in the serial format, members of the lower classes (aka my 17th century counterparts) had to pool their pennies just to buy a single installment.
Which leads to point #2: back then each installment was paid for individually making the book more profitable for the author and publisher.
Serials back then were a win-win. Amazon’s version….not so much.
Katherine, thank you for the post! You had me laughing. I chose the serial route because it sounded interesting and my agent thought it would be a great opportunity. We knew not everyone would embrace the serial format, but hey, we thought it was worth a try.
It’s hard to know how many people like the serial format because they tend to be less vocal than people who don’t like it. The negative reviews are tough to see, but I need to keep my perspective. Fortunately, nearly all of them are about the format.
All things being equal, I’m glad I participated in the Kindle Serial program, I’ve really enjoyed the journey!
It’s been rough at times, but I think of it as character building.
I think Amazon is going to keep the Kindle Serial program going, but future Nathan McBride books will be released as complete novels.
Did your final episode of OPTION download to your Kindle?
>Did your final episode of OPTION download to your Kindle?
Yes, I got it. And it was well worth the wait.
I am really, truly, looking forward to the fourth and final installment. And I pity the poor family that messes with the McBrides now that Lauren and Jin are part of the team!
I’d sure like to see more of Lauren, maybe all grown up in her own series? Please, please, pretty please with a cherry bomb on top?
There are lots of possibilities (plots) to bring Lauren and Jin into future books. There will be at least two more Nathan McBride novels, probably more like ten, but it’s a joint decision with my editor at Thomas & Mercer. Book four won’t be a final installment!
I don’t have any objections to 10 more Nathan McBride books. If McBride has that sort of mileage in him, then so do I!
Something else I’d like to see is the kick-butt side of Stone McBride. Any chance of that happening any time soon?
Katherine, I can safely say there’s a 100% chance of that happening!
>Katherine, I can safely say there’s a 100% chance of that happening!
Alright! Looking forward to it.
I don’t suppose I could have a little sneak peak of the next book…?
*does Bambi eyes*
Katherine, I’d like to comply, but it isn’t written yet! I’ll be starting on book four in the winter and spring of next year. 🙂
correction: Poor person…not poor family. Don’t know where that came from.
Andrew- Really enjoyed Option. REALLY like the McBride character. I’m glad to hear you have more adventures in store for him.
I’m wondering if, now that you have gone through the process once, you’ll be releasing the next installment in the Serial format? As I have mentioned before, I am not a fan, but I realize that is just my opinion. Curious how you liked it as an author? Looking back on my experience with Option, I can tell you that I definitely lost sight of the fact that the entire story took place over the course of just two days. With so much time, and in my case so many other books, passing over the course of my read of Option, I lost sight of the timeline a bit. At any rate, really a fan of your work.
PS- noticed that you have 3 of the top 10 best sellers in the Thrillers category in the Kindle store- Congrats!!
Keep up the good work.
Tory, thank you for the kind words. The serial format is an experiment of sorts. My editor at Thomas & Mercer asked me to participate in the program. He wanted a couple of thriller authors for the launch. He doesn’t plan to release future Nathan McBride books in serial format. There was a lot of confusion over serial versus series. The Nathan McBride novels are a series, but they don’t have to be read in order. The serialized release of OPTION caught a lot of folks by surprise because they weren’t expecting it and didn’t read the listing. They just bought it. I can only imagine what it was like not knowing OPTION was a serial and then finding the story suddenly stop with a note it will be continued. It frustrated a lot of readers and they expressed their opinions in the review section. Admittedly, it was hard to see so many one-star reviews about the format, but being an author in a new program like that had risks. I went into it with my eyes open. At least the negative reviews on the format should stop. Phew…
I just want you know how much I appreciate your patience and kindness and I’m really pleased you liked Nathan’s adventure with Lauren!
I hope you have a great Christmas season!