The serial genre began in the Victorian Age as an inexpensive way to publish reading material. Magazines and newspapers published complete serial novels in installments. Authors including George Eliot, William Thackeray, Joseph Conrad and Charles Dickens wrote novels in serial form. The works of Dickens in particular prompted readers to read for fun and to study the English language. For the first time, novels were available to all classes, which helped to improve the literacy rate.
Serialized stories have a positive effect on students. They motivate students to learn how to read. As of 2011, schools are taking notice of serialized fiction's effects. For instance, a library at an Illinois elementary school has added comic books and graphic novels to its collection. A 2010 essay published in the "Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy" says graphic novels have a place in literature education. "Good graphic novels contain all the literary elements we expect for quality fiction and nonfiction books," writes librarian and author Paula Griffith.
Short installments meet the needs of digital users with limited reading time. Digital media provides a stage for authors like Stephen King, who has used digital medial to publish installments of "The Green Mile" and "The Plant." However, digital book publishing is still far behind the standard publishing practice. Author Niki Baird believes "the challenge with the eBook route is real-world marketing." She recommends that publishers sell a book package containing a hard copy and a digital copy.
Serial writers are finding a platform outside the eBook realm, as well, using apps. One such app, available online or for the iPhone and iPad, is "The Mongoliad," a serial fantasy set in Europe during the Middle Ages. The app includes a virtual world of stories, games, videos, discussions and online community. The novel is published by a transmedia company called the Subutai Corporation. Meanwhile, Ether Books, a UK mobile publisher, distributes digital literature including serials, poetry, articles and short fiction. Works include: "Love Thy Neighbor" by Vanessa Lafaye, "A Different Life Begins" by Hilary Mantel" and "Mr. Chen and the Nightingale" by Jamie Guiney. Nonfiction apps have also been successful: "20 Minute Meals" by Jamie Oliver, "MyFry" by Stephen Fry and "The Elements" by Theodore Gray have all been distributed digitally, in serial installments. The digital literature revolution is also prominent in universities. For instance, the Berkeley School of Journalism has tutorials, media and free workshops for storytelling and digital media.
Serialized stories are good publicity for books, magazines and newspapers. Installment serials in magazines and newspapers connect authors to readers. Story excerpts can appear one time or in a limited run. Publications like "The New Yorker" and "The Daily Telegraph" print serial fiction and nonfiction.
Most newspapers and magazines prefer to serialize novels by famous and established authors. The novels "On Beauty" by Zadie Smith, "Shalimar the Clown" by Salman Rushdie and "Human Traces" by Sebastian Faulks have all appeared in serial format. Some stories are accompanied by an author interview. Publishers do not earn long-term revenue from the endeavor, but gain publicity.