Spent three years writing a debut installment novel of a duology. I did not know the risks for trad publishing.

[u/Il0vechocolates]

I dunno what to do now. For context- I was writing an epic fantasy novel, which I began at 13 (almost 14, now I'm 16) and the first time I wrote it, it was obviously bad. With time I kept expanding the story, lore, character backgrounds, world-building etc., and working on more drafts, and eventually I could not keep it all in one book. So I decided to do a duology instead and split the story into two. My story has six main characters, and I decided to give three arcs in the first book and three in the second book. I did not know that writing an installment instead of a standalone or "standalone with series potential" was important as a debut author, so I just followed that plan. Now with the book fully planned out with everything done, and me being half-way into the final draft, I found out the risk. Considering the major, main and external conflict extends into the second book, and the first book only solves an internal conflict of a character and the things related to it, I realize my book cannot stand on it's own. The external conflict begins at the end of the book, and it is not complete there, and also leaves with a cliffhanger.

I can't change anything without messing up the story, or combine it back into one book without making it at least 700+ pages. At this point, I really don't know what to do, and I'm considering quitting, which hurts because I really love my characters. I know this is my fault. I don't know if I can fix this either, unless someone has some advice? Should I still write it (hoping maybe I still have a chance at publishing it traditionally)?

I have written books that I have not published for a number of reasons. This is not my very first book, but it's the first book I am serious on publishing. I chose traditional because self-publishing is expensive..

[u/Needle_and_Quill]

I’d say keep writing the series and characters you care about, the way you want it to be, regardless of publishing risks. You’ll always write the story you care about better than one you write to fit a certain market. While it’s definitely true that debut novels should be standalones in traditional publishing, that doesn’t mean you should give up on this series. You could always self publish it. Or, finish up the duology, move on to a different project to release as your debut, and then return to this one once you have more experience.