The science & mystique of boxed sets

Here at UR we've done a boxed set of novels called Fantasy Rising, and two story anthologies, Twisted Earths and Mayhem in the Air. See them all here! They've been great to work on for various reasons. One is the socializing factor, getting to know each other better through the editing and decision-making processes of cover design, title choice and the like. But, they've also been beneficial to spreading word of our group, our individual authorship and bodies of work. And of course, they make money that helps us publish other sets and buy promo.

This year, I've delved into the world of boxed sets and story anthologies outside of UR as well. My first venture was in placing one of my indie novels in a huge boxed set called Secret Worlds with twenty other authors of fantasy and paranormal fiction. I learned a lot about marketing with this set. We assigned one author a day to be responsible for posting promo material on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, TSU and Instagram. We had a contingent of people who specialized in creating visual teasers, and another who took care of accounting and payouts. Still another took money and placed ads in popular book sites.

The hard work paid off. We landed on the Amazon Bestseller list for three solid weeks in three categories (myth, new adult & fairytale). This proved to be such a good system we've kept the boxed set up three months after we planned to delete it.

As a final marketing plan to boost the set through the holidays to New Years, we created a perma-free story anthology called Beyond Secret Worlds that relates directly to our novels in Secret Worlds, so people can follow us into our other books. see it on iTunes, Amazon, Kobo.

And, hey, it's FREE, folks! It includes my story, Blue House Magic, which follows Ruby and Blane from book two of the Fireseed series, to their new home in Vegas-by-the-Sea. So, it's a lead-in to book three (as of yet unwritten).

I've found readers love boxed sets because it allows them to sample a variety of work for a great price. If one story or novel doesn't suit them, they can simply read on to another one. Having a bunch of authors working on the same project is a huge relief. It's community-building and so much less stressful than always going it alone. But it does require good organization, and sometimes, even a strict leader, barking away at the crew.

Have you participated in a boxed set or story anthology? Did you enjoy it? If so why? Pros and cons? 

Boxed Sets & Secret Worlds Launch

So far the Untethered Realms authors have done one boxed set of novels called Fantasy Uprising. It was really fun to put together and our readers are enjoying it.

I'm getting more of a taste for boxed sets on my own as well because my novel Ruby's Fire is in a brand new one called Secret Worlds. It launched on June 29 and contains a whopping twenty-one books from popular authors who write dark fantasy and paranormal. We priced it at only $0.99 cents so you get a crazy amount of value. And it will only be available through August.

Having read a few of the novels in it, I can say the writing is top drawer.

Check it out on Amazon, B&N, iBooks & Kobo.

Here's a sampling of what's in it:

Taken by the Beast -  Conner Kressley & Rebecca Hamilton

Women are going missing. Women who look a lot like Charisse. And the man this beauty is falling for may be the beast responsible.

The Forever Girl - Rebecca Hamilton

Sophia's ancestor's body went missing during the Salem Witch Trials, and the only one able to help solve the mystery is a shapeshifter Sophia is afraid to trust

Summoned - Rainy Kaye

Dimitri can't reveal the paranormal bond controlling him, and Syd won't tolerate his secrets.

Purgatory - Susan Stec

A sex-hungry myth with no name, no flesh, and no identity ...unless it wears one of you.

The Pandora Principle - Noree Cosper

As a descendant of Pandora, Cassi must discover if her lover is one of the evil spirits she hunts before all her friends die.

Heart Song - Samantha LaFantasie

When incredibly handsome Marren frees Relena, there's a catch.

Changeling - Debbie Herbert

As a changeling and a witch work together to restore order in Fairy, they discover that love, like magic, casts its own spell of enchantment.

Shiftless - Aimee Easterling

After years of suppressing her inner predator, Terra meets a shifter who forces her to reclaim her wilder side.

The Black Parade - Kyoko M.

Poltergeist Michael is the key to saving Jordan's soul from hell, but can she handle the cost of her salvation?

Haunting Echoes - Caethes Faron

Will Amaia's vampire clan kill her ex-fiance before she learns whether he returned from the grave for love or revenge?

Braving Fate - Linsey Hall

Diana and Cadan fight demonic forces and a deadly passion that has lasted centuries.

Trinity Rising - J.E. Taylor

Damian and Naomi are desperate for victory against the devil, but one wrong step couldtrigger Armageddon.

Moonlight - Katie Salidas

Good girls don't wear fur, fight over men, or run around naked, howling at the moon. But Fallon's not a good girl.

Lash - L.G. Castillo

Lash, a fallen angel, must choose where to place his trust--in a home he fought so hard to regain or in a forbidden love he can't bear to lose.

Between - Lisa Swallow

Alek could kill Rose with a kiss. Finn, with a touch. Pulled into an intense affair with Alek, Rose discovers her connection to Finn threatens them all.

The Devil's Fool - Rachel McClellan

When vampire Boaz gives Eve the one thing she never had--love--she falls into a world of greed and seduction.

Spark Rising - Kate Corcino

A runaway Spark and the agent arresting her ignite a revolution to end their people's enslavement while resisting the electricity between them.

Ruby's Fire - Catherine Stine

On the run from a desert cult, Ruby must choose which handsome stranger to trust with her heart and her darkest secret: Armonk or Blane.

Cursed - Lucy Leroux

Governess Isobel Sterling has been hiding an uncanny ability her whole life--until she has to use it to save herself from a madman.

Hunted - A.J. Colby

With Agent Holbrook's help, Riley races time to stay ahead of a crazed werewolf killer.

Vigilant - Angel Lawson

Ari stumbles into a world of crime and vigilantism while discovering the one man that sets her heart on fire.

Have you ever been in a boxed set? What do you see as the limitations and perks?