and now, a question

[kindkit]

I'm about 3/4 done with the second draft of the fic, and beginning to think about how I'll post it to AO3. I've never posted anything this long before and I'm wondering what the most reader-friendly (and also, because I'm greedy, comment- and kudos-friendly) way to do it is.

Please feel free to respond even if you don't know/care about this fandom or this particular fic. I'm interested in general reading preferences.

I will note that the fic has a natural break point about halfway through, but there aren't natural/obvious break points for 3, 4, or more pieces.

Poll #27166

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 18

View Respondents

How should I post this 40,000+ word fic?

View Answers

In one piece.
1 (5.6%)

In 2 chapters at the same time.
5 (27.8%)

In 2 chapters, separated by 1 week.
3 (16.7%)

In 3+ chapters at the same time.
3 (16.7%)

In 3+ chapters separated by 1 week.
4 (22.2%)

Some other way, which I may elaborate on in comments.
2 (11.1%)

Your new favorite thing?

View Answers

Ticky.
5 (31.2%)

Box.
3 (18.8%)

Pirates.
3 (18.8%)

Fancy coats.
5 (31.2%)

Oranges.
6 (37.5%)

Passive aggression.
2 (12.5%)

Massive aggression.
6 (37.5%)

Swordfighting.
5 (31.2%)

Ships (literal).
8 (50.0%)

Ships (figurative).
11 (68.8%)

Comments

[pallas_rose]

If the story lends itself to chapters for pacing, however many it wants it should get! But I do love when authors post everything all at once. I do terribly with suspense.

[kindkit]

I don't think it demands to be chaptered, but looking it over, it could break into four sections, or even more easily into two.

Personally I lean towards posting it as two chapters at the same time. That way there's a built-in break for those who want one, but readers like me who prefer to inhale the whole thing in one go can also do so. But I wanted to see what other people thought.