Here's why:
* Cost and Accessibility: Books were expensive, and many people couldn't afford to buy a whole volume at once. Serialization allowed readers to access longer works in manageable chunks, paying a small amount per installment. This made reading accessible to a wider audience.
* Anticipation and Engagement: The serialized format fostered anticipation and excitement, as readers eagerly awaited the next installment to find out what happened next. This kept readers engaged and invested in the story.
* Popularity of "Penny Dreadfuls": Cheap, sensationalistic stories called "penny dreadfuls" were incredibly popular. These often used serialization to keep readers hooked and eager for the next installment.
* Famous Examples: Some of the most famous literary works were originally serialized, including Charles Dickens's novels like *Oliver Twist* and *A Tale of Two Cities.*
While serialized fiction remains popular in some forms today, it was a dominant format in the 18th century, contributing significantly to the development of the novel and the rise of popular literature.