In recent years we’ve seen a huge uptick in the sales of boxed sets for books, especially eBooks. I’ve been part of half a dozen MABS—that’s multi-author box sets—over the last few years myself, and as a reader I love those because I can get to sample new-to-me names. But today, I’m talking about single author boxed sets. You may have heard the term omnibus edition to describe them.
There’s the series boxed set, like mine launching March 9, which is an entire series bundled up together in one file for a slightly discounted purchase price. Some authors prefer to box up a longer series into 2-3 smaller sets (i.e. books 1-3 separately from 4-6, and so forth).
I love series boxed sets, personally. It’s nice to have a complete collection knowing I haven’t missed one of the books in the series. And, you know, sometimes we’re waiting months or even years for an author to add a new book, so getting the complete series all at once eliminates that painful angst of waiting between books or *gasp* forgetting what happened previously.
Then there’s one trend I’ve been seeing recently in which a prolific author takes series starters (books 1) from multiple series and putting them together. Or they build a set around a certain theme or trope, regardless of series (beach, snow, holiday, career field, etc.). In my forays as a reader, I’ve discovered a few pros and cons to these different kinds of sets.
Pros: Getting to sample a variety of an author’s work, enjoying a common theme while exploring new characters, usually some form of discounted price and/or bonus material
Cons: Sometimes you’ve already read one of the books in the set, can be confusing
What say you? I’d love to hear your pros/cons to boxed sets from a single author. Do you usually buy them (and if so, what went into your decision)? What kind of boxes appeal to you most?
All commenters will be entered into a drawing for one eBook edition of my upcoming Everyday Love series boxed set, complete with bonus materials. Winner will be chosen at random by the end of this week.
Be sure to check out some of these boxed sets from our other awesome InspyRomance authors:
- Elizabeth Maddrey’s Operation Romance: Books 1-4, available in eBook
- The Riverbend Romances by Valerie Comer, containing 5 novellas and also comes in a paperback edition
- Andrea Boyd’s 3-book Walden Beach series
- 6 small-town romances from Mandi Blake in her Unfailing Love complete series
- One of my favorite families of brothers, The Spark Brothers by Liwen Y. Ho
- Toni Shiloh’s Freedom Lake series (though I am anxiously awaiting Maple Run in a box!)
- Vacation Sweethearts: Books 1-3 by Jan Thompson
I did have one more question for you before I sign off and make myself another pot of coffee before settling in to write. What kinds of things do you like to see in a series boxed set? Do you expect just the books themselves, or are you interested in exclusive bonus material? Timelines? Recipes? Sneak previews of related books? The story-behind-the-story? Something else? I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on what makes a box extra special.
Be sure to comment so you’ll be entered in that giveaway I mentioned!
Until next time,
I enjoy boxed sets. I’ve really enjoyed the Crossroads sets that you have been a part of. I am always happy to have bonus material in addition to the books. Some boxed sets have authors of different skill levels so some books are better than others and I might not finish a particular book because it’s just not as good as I would like it to be.
That does happen from time to time. What about sets from a single author?
I agree with your points about boxed sets too. I enjoy them because I get to sample several different authors that are new to me, but I don’t usually by them unless I have read and liked at least one or two of the authors in the collection. I enjoy it when the collections follow the same theme, like Once Upon a Christmas.
As far as the cons, I think my main complaint would be sometimes the collections feature too many books and if I run into a couple stories in it that don’t appeal to me that can keep me from wanting to finish the collection. The other con is if I already have one or two of the stories that are in the collection but can’t get the ones I dont have outside of the collection. It can be frustrating to have multiple copies of the same books when you really only want a couple specific stories.
I haven’t really bought any that came with extras, except for one set where they sent me a couple free e-books because I pre-ordered. I do enjoy hearing behind the scenes stuff and having sneak peeks at upcoming stories though. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for your insightful comments! Excellent points, especially about the really large boxed sets. I too find it frustrating when a few of the stories aren’t as good or well-edited, but I’ll generally skip past them to the next so I can enjoy the others!
I think boxsets are nice , especially because the books are at your fingertips, I really like them. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe.
You too, Alicia! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I’ve read and enjoyed many boxed sets but never by just one author. I think it’s a great idea because then you get ALL the books in a series in one place. You don’t have to go hunting the books down, and I don’t even mind if it’s split up into two or three different sets.
Pros to a multi-author boxed set; you get to discover new-to-you writers, you get a variety of stories, you get a ton of different books, and usually the price is good.
Cons are definitely what you’ve listed already. I’ve found that one or more stories I have already read and it’s a bit of a let-down.
I’ve found the pros far outweigh the cons though 🙂 I also like the extra content an author includes; sneak peeks to related books, the story-behind-the-story (those are especially fun), and recipes that may appear in the book or a favorite one of the characters. I have even made recipes mentioned in the book and found some favorite ones!
Now I need to check out these boxed sets you’ve mentioned in your post Jaycee!
Yay! I always love to share more books with readers. 🙂
I love box sets by a single author if:
– they’re in a series that needs to be read in order
– they’re in a series of connected characters (such as the Unforgettable Love series by my friend Patty H. Scott)
– or they’re connected in a very obvious way, like setting or trope (all the marriages of convenience, for example)
I have never actually seen a boxed set by one author collecting all their books about “beach, snow, holiday, career field.” That sounds a little strange to me, actually. I can see and have bought several MABS connected through those things, and I love to see how they’re all connected and get to know new authors that way, too. But single authors? Seems a little contrived.
It’s actually growing more common. I’ve seen a number of them from Jennifer Youngblood and a few other authors who have a large backlist. I still haven’t decided how I feel about them. Some have been better than others, and I generally don’t mind since I usually read through Kindle Unlimited versus purchasing. I’d probably be annoyed if I bought a set like that if it included a book I already owned elsewhere!
I love boxed sets of the same series because I like to binge read (not much of a binge TV watcher).
I have not bought any that are series starter sets. That would frustrate and confuse me, I think.
As for what’s in the set, just give me the books. I never read the excerpts, because I would want to keep reading and the book probably hasn’t been released yet.
Three cheers for binge reading! LOL!
I love box sets, it is always nice to see an added mini story but I don’t really expect it. I just like having all of the books in one place.
It is nice having things organized in one place, even electronically.
I haven’t read any box sets yet, but that’s mostly due to the fact that I don’t yet have an e-reader to read e-books. In fact, most box sets are e-books, which I sometimes find a pity. I like getting exclusive bonus material with box sets. I find the story behind the story very interesting to read. Sneak peeks and timelines are also very fun. Thank you for this post!
And thank you for commenting your perspective! Have a great day. 🙂
I’ve read a few boxed sets, but I don’t really have an opinion on them. I just enjoy reading books. 😀
Ha ha! Yes, give me all the books!
I love boxed sets so I can read the series all at once!
Great point, Paula!
I always love hearing the story behind the story.
Me too!
I Love the boxsets if they are in Print as I love reading and if they are a series then I get to find out what is happening in the story Blessings To You Today!
Very true! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
I like box sets and series because these tend to be longer(i am a fast reader) and often allow you to read about more of the characters or the next in a series. My favourite is a series set because i can continue without having to look or wait for the next book. I also like multi author box sets but i am disappointed when i buy a book that i have already read in a box set
Oh yes! That can be so frustrating! I’ve us three happen with several on Kindle Unlimited recently, which is what got me pondering this post!
I love boxed sets! I will admit that my least favorite type of boxed set is the one that contains the first book of multiple series, because then (if I really like book one) I’ve got to buy the others in the series. I prefer that it be like a series like Mandi’s, or even a multi-author series, but all connected somehow, whether a wedding dress story, a location, whatever. I don’t really care for “extras” in the box set, though I do like to know about other books coming out.
Excellent points. Maybe that’s why they do the first-in-series ones—to lure us in like sucker fish! 😆
I usually enjoy boxed sets from a single author when they:
1. Help me catch up (i.e. I don’t have most or all of the books)
2. Offer a nice price discount (I very often buy via Bookbub listings)
I don’t think I have come across any ebook box sets that have any “extras”. With movies, I always like the “making of” extras so background material for a series would interest me. Maps, family trees, cast of characters, all are nice to see. I eat WAY more than I actually cook and I have cook books (paper and ebook) to last me ’til I’m in the grave so recipes aren’t much of a draw. I have been surprised, though, so I’m not against them.
And then, of course, there are the classics like The Chronicles of Narnia. I have those in paper (multiple copies) and still got the ebook set.
Executive summary: omnibus editions – in favor; extras – nice, but I’m still waiting.
Haha! Great points, Lincoln. I’ve gotten a lot of extras in eBooks. In the rare paper box I’ve purchased/received as gifts, sometimes it’s nil but on rare occasion an exclusive novella. I love novélala, so I’m all about that!
I think boxed sets are a good idea. I would be more interested in a whole series together rather than several books around a trope by the same author. A preview of an upcoming book is a nice perk in a boxed set, or any book!
That is a nice perk! I know some people don’t like previews, but I love them. Then again, I’m a weirdo who also likes spoilers. 😆
I love boxsets, I like big boxsets but I make sure I haven’t read most of the books before I buy the box
Good idea! One of my daughters only reads paper, so she loves boxed sets because they’re all the same size for her shelf. 😆
I like buying box sets if all of the books are in the same series. It’s easier because all of the books are right there. Sometimes I buy a boxed set that is by a theme and each book is written by a different author. I have discovered some new authors that way which is fun.
It is fun! I’ve seen a number of those recently from different publishers.
I’ve actually never read a box set. Thank you kindly.
No time like the present, Kelley! Lol! Thanks for stopping by.
I have a few print box sets. they were one author and the first few in a series I know that more came in boxsets but I had bought them as they came out. I actually ordered a couple sets once from the local bookshop as there was a huge sale on them only the manager never got around to ordering them so I missed out.
I have bought boxsets with multi authors and have enjoyed them. they are much better when there is a theme connecting them. Like a town or a family or something that may include other characters from other books. I much prefer a connection to a set with books that have a common premise but no connection. I also don’t like the where the same book or books are in the same book sets.
Book sets by a single author can be good too if I haven’t already read one of the books because you have the books in one place and are often cheaper to buy a box set. Box sets often have a little extra like either a short story to set up the series or a epilogue just for the box set. I think timelines are important if books go over generations or showing how things are connected. I also love if its set on a town when there is a map of the town to give an idea of where things are.
I appreciate your well-thought out reply! Spot on with every point. When I was younger, my favorite boxed set was Anne of Green Gables. I loved the maps of Avonlea!