Thread

1. starkparker · 1789505189 · focus · HN ↗

   One of the more unintentional "reject modernity, embrace tradition" posts on this site. In a world where this catches on someone will come up with the bright idea of serialized novels again. It's like a payment plan for a book! More watercooler moments waiting for the next volume! Authors incorporating fan feedback between volumes! Imagine all the Dickensian possibilities.

   1. pfdietz · 1789505318 · focus · HN ↗

      > someone will come up with the bright idea of serialized novels again

      You mean, like on Reddit? ;)

   2. mrec · 1789505431 · focus · HN ↗

      Plenty of webfiction out there which is exactly this. It does tend to fall into the trap of going on forever though.

      1. bluGill · 1789506323 · focus · HN ↗

         There is a lot of web fiction out there that would be better if the authors had written "the end" a few years ago.
      2. chrismorgan · 1789533587 · focus · HN ↗

         Printing is a good constraint against getting too long, both the physical and cost constraints. Though the Harry Potter series in full still managed to reach a million words.

         For another comparison, the Bible is around three quarters of a million words, and tends to use special paper (20–40gsm/30–50 micron) so it works in one volume.

         Handwriting is also a good idea for encouraging keeping lengths down; typing and dictation make verbosity too easy; and as for LLMs, words are clearly far too cheap there.

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