Creating a Series Bible: A Guide for Indie Authors
Whether it’s for a television, film or book series, a series bible serves both as a reference guide and as a blueprint to ensure continuity.
In it, you’ll note such things as your main character’s brother’s name and his hair color, a commonly used catch phrase, plot points, and a timeline.
As you progress through your series, it will become too time consuming and overwhelming to go back and re-read the previous books to find the information. Being able to quickly refer to your series bible will help keep the details consistent, so you can focus on crafting your story.
Series Bibles for Indie Authors
Step 1: Consider Format
While a paper-based series bible, all color-coded and tabbed can work, you may wish to consider a digital option for its:
Portability
Whether you’re squeezing in a few moments of quiet time before work, taking advantage of writing in the stands while your kids are at swim practice, or sitting with your dog and laptop on the couch, having a portable series bible is key.
Step 2: Consider Software Features
Accessibility
While you’re writing your current manuscript, there may be times when you need to recall what a character was wearing when they first met your main character back in book 2. Thanks to your series bible, you’ll have this information literally at your fingertips. In fact, having your working manuscript and your series bible open side-by-side will help make the words flow more seamlessly.
Searchability
As your series grows in breadth and depth, the ability to search your digital series bible will become increasingly valuable in its efficiency. Think of all the time that can be saved when you can simply search for a character’s name across books and across numerous kinds of entries (i.e., who said what when, what they were wearing, who met who, their magical abilities across certain realms, and the list goes on)!
Consider using web-based software that allows you to link pages, so your story bible becomes multidimensional. For example, while Google Docs allows you to create a folder system, the individual folders can’t “talk to each other” like in Notion, Airtable or by using a Wiki.
Flexibility
As your team grows, they may also be able to do their job more efficiently when given access to your series bible. Your editor, beta readers, and your personal assistant (PA) can easily access your series bible to cross-reference against your manuscript and help ensure continuity. Google Docs is a wonderful and free option for this, but it does have limits when it comes to its searchability and flexibility.
As your series grows, make sure your digital system can grow with you. Consider whether you want to include your notes, character art, timelines, and/or links. If so, Notion and Scrivener are very capable options. Are you a visual thinker? If so, a system like Trello, which uses cards and boards, might work well for you.
Step 3: Consider What to Track
Characters
Main, supporting and minor characters
Note physical characteristics, commonly used phrases, backgrounds, story arcs, etc.
Settings
World/universe, towns, locations, weather, colors, maps, etc.
Culture
History, government, organizations, rules, laws, attitudes, etc.
Magic System
Technology, weapons, tools, knowledge, significant objects, etc.
Language
Dialects, key phrases, terms, etc.
Timelines
Backstories, arcs, etc.
Style Guides
Text styles and standards - your editor will appreciate this, too!
Series Roadmap
For an overall big picture of your series, include your main plot points, subplots and overarching themes.
You can then include summaries of each of your books and their respective subplots.
Tracking these details creates a roadmap and helps ensure your readers’ engagement throughout your series and eagerly anticipating the next book!
Added Bonus
Your series bible helps to keep track of what made it into the final version, rather than what was simply brainstormed.
Plus, it enables you to plan for future books, as it helps ensure that all that you’re weaving together is seamless and consistent.
If you’re overwhelmed by the mere THOUGHT of creating and/or maintaining a series bible, this could be a perfect job for an author personal assistant (PA)!
Not sure what you need? Let’s chat and plot next steps together!
Your supportive side character,
Lisa