Building Standalone Stories That Leave Doors Open for a Series

How do you strike the perfect balance between a satisfying standalone story and a world that begs for sequels? On this episode of Indie Author Magazine’s Deep Dive, our hosts unpack Susan Odev’s insightful article, "Author Inklings: Does Your Book Have Series Potential?" Together, they guide listeners through the art—and practical reality—of building novels that can stand alone but leave just enough room for future expansion.Whether you’re drafting your debut or wrestling with the weight of a potential series, you’ll learn how to shift your creative mindset, lower cognitive load for readers, and avoid the dreaded “cliffhanger trap.” Hear practical strategies for sketching supporting characters with potential, planting narrative "doors" for future stories, and deciding when (or if) to open them.