Classics Without All the Class discussion

Hello all, I hope everyone is having a great week and some good reads! :) I was looking for some people's opinions on some questions, I do apologize if you are seeing this on more than one group you are in as I am trying to get various thoughts and opinions on this.

From what I have seen, most books that are about or even vaguely consisting of shapeshifters seem like there is only one or two types at a time. On top of that, they seem to typically consist of wolves, bears, lions, dragons, maybe the occasional tiger... Are there any books with all types of animal shifters or do they mainly focus on one type?

Is there any interest in an actual world of animal shapeshifters? Or do readers want more magical beings as well such as vampires, witches, and other mythical type beings and beasts?

Do readers tend to prefer a longer book or a series of shorter installments? I suppose the better question to ask would be Do readers feel more comfortable purchasing a book from a first time author if it is offered in shorter installments (therefore giving a cheaper price to "try" them out)? Or do readers prefer to just buy one larger book?

Thank you for your time and input. Any opinions you share are most appreciated!

I think a shapeshifter world could be fun, but of course, it needs a good story/plot, right?

Remember "The Sword and the Stone" when Merlin and Mad Madam Mim fight? They change into goats, dragons, bacteria, everything. A little variety could be cool. And whenever someone can change their identity, there is the possibility of deception!

I think you're right about shapeshifters potentially being a little boring if all they do is change into an animal without any special "magic" that goes along with it. I mean, what can a goat really do?

When I didn't read a lot, the whole idea of a series would put me off. I thought if there are only a handful of books I'm going to read in my life, I can't commit to a whole series. So whenever I saw "Book 1 of X" I was put off. But now I read a lot more, and that doesn't scare me. I know if I like the book, I'll keep reading, but if I don't fall in love, I can just enjoy the first book.

If it is just one big book, you may get less "nibbles" but if it is an amazing work, you could get big "bites". I would say the kind of fantasy world you're thinking of would be better as a series because it is a niche genre.

[On a side note, if it is a series, I want to know if a book in the middle of the series can be read as a standalone work. Like, let's say I'm shopping around and find a book that looks so cool, but then I see it's book 3 in a series, I'm put off because I won't get everything in the story. If you happen to write a series where you could jump into book 3 without the first 2, for example, make sure to communicate somewhere in the dustjacket review that it could be read as a standalone.]

I have gotten into series by indie authors when I saw the first book was free, and I really liked it, then I purchased other books in the series. It does work, but there are probably many patterns of success.

Oh, and by the way, get a GREAT cover. The cover is what initially can sell the book! Invest in some great art or photography for the cover--it's what always grabs me. I shop by the cover when I'm discovering something new. (I also shop by the ratings, of course.)

Hope that's helpful. I am not a writer, just a reader. You may get better advice from those who have been down the road of publishing already, but good luck to you!