Series Audit: Set Up Your Books for Success and Boost Your Reader Engagement in 2025
Do you want your book series to perform better and earn more? A series audit might be the solution you’re looking for. Whether you’re aiming to increase your Kindle Unlimited (KU) pages, revamp your covers, or enhance the overall reader experience, a series audit lets you take a step back and zero in on what’s working—and what’s not.
In this post, I’ll walk you through my process for performing a series audit so you can maximize the potential of your published works. If you’re serious about improving your series, you’re in exactly the right place.
Check out this video to follow along:
What Is a Series Audit?
A series audit is basically a detailed review and update of your book series. It gives you the chance to analyze each element of the series, from covers and blurbs to word counts and formatting. This isn’t just about fixing typos or tweaking plot details; it’s about making your series the best it can be, for your readers and your business.
My most recent audit is for a rom-com series, My Click and Web, which I originally published some time ago. I’ll share my step-by-step process for revamping this seven-book series, but these principles apply to any genre.
Step 1: Take Stock of Your Current Series
The first step of a series audit is to gather all the relevant information about your books. Here’s what I start with:
- A list of all the books in the series (including paperback and box sets).
- Current word counts for each book.
- Details on existing covers, blurbs, and audio versions.
For example, when I audited my Montana Trail series in 2020, I had 10 books, each with varying word counts. Some were shorter than I wanted, so I set my goal to increase each book to 50,000 words (or more). This overhaul increased page reads on KU and transformed the series into one of my top earners.
When starting your audit, ask yourself:
- Are my covers consistent and attractive?
- Do my blurbs reflect the tone and genre?
- Are my word counts meeting reader expectations?
Step 2: Define Goals for the Series
Once you’ve listed everything you currently have, it’s time to set clear goals. Goals help you focus your efforts and track your success.
For My Click and Web, here’s what I’m working toward:
- Increase word count from an average of 45,000 to 75,000 words per book.
- Update covers and add a cover for the full box set.
- Refresh blurbs to improve conversion rates.
- Add the first chapter of the next book at the back of the previous book.
- Create cohesive graphics for marketing and branding purposes.
Each of these tasks plays a part in boosting sales and reader engagement.
Step 3: Plan for Updates
Creating a concrete action plan for updates is key for a successful series audit. Here’s how I break it down:
- Word Count Adjustments:
My strategy for expanding word counts often includes adding easter eggs, foreshadowing, and enhanced character development. With these planned out, adding 30,000 words is manageable—sometimes in as little as a week! For your series, think about what content would enrich the story without feeling like padding. - Cover Designs:
Covers are essential for catching a reader’s eye, especially in competitive genres. I updated the covers for all books in the Montana Trail series, increasing their appeal significantly. For My Click and Web, I’ve already refreshed individual covers and will now create one for the full box set. - Blurbs and Back Matter:
Blurb rewrites don’t always guarantee improvement. During my Montana Trail updates, my new blurbs didn’t perform as well as the originals. This time, I’ll focus on improving blurbs while staying true to the tone readers love. Additionally, I’ll make sure each book includes a sample chapter of the next. - Box Sets:
Box sets offer multiple ways to generate revenue. I’m planning a full box set (Books 1-7) and smaller sets (Books 1-3, 4-7). Running ads for the series opener and box sets ensures three entry points for readers and maximizes ROI.
Step 4: Track Your Progress
Tracking your updates ensures you stay organized and see results over time. I use a simple spreadsheet for this. Here’s what I track:
- Original word counts vs. updated word counts.
- Whether paperbacks and covers have been formatted and updated.
- Blurb revisions and which versions perform best.
- Tasks like updated graphics, family trees, bonus content, and more.
For example, my audit of the Montana Trail series increased profitability from barely breaking even on ads to a 1:4 return—spend $1, earn $4. Keeping track of these improvements motivates you to keep pushing forward.
Why Box Sets Matter
One part of my strategy involves leveraging box sets for additional income. If you have seven books in a series, three box sets (early books, later books, and a full series) can breathe new life into your work. These allow you to target different reader groups and advertise them separately.
Box sets provide more value for readers and ensure longer binge sessions, which means higher page reads. This is particularly important for authors in the Kindle Unlimited program.
What’s Next?
The series audit process doesn’t stop at the final update. After I finish revising My Click and Web, I plan to test ad strategies and gather feedback from readers. I’ll also focus on rebranding for other pen names—a process I’ll share in future content.
If you’re ready to start your own series audit, take it one step at a time. Review your current series, set goals, and tackle updates systematically. Need some guidance? Be sure to watch my video for more details on how to make your books shine.
Let’s Connect
Got questions about your series audit? Drop them in the comments or reach out to me directly!
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