føljetong

Följetong is a Swedish term for a serialized story published in installments, typically in newspapers or magazines. Traditionally, it refers to fiction that appears in consecutive parts over days or weeks, with each installment ending on a cliffhanger or a hook to encourage readers to return for the next part.

The word derives from the broader concept of a feuilleton, a section of a newspaper devoted to literature and the arts. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many novels and shorter works were serialized in periodicals, making följetongen a common feature of popular culture and a staple of newspaper publishing.

Publication practices and characteristics: installments are usually shorter than a complete novel and are presented at regular intervals, often with recurring characters and ongoing plotlines. The format helped authors reach a wide readership and influenced the commercial model of newspapers, which could boost circulation on the basis of ongoing serial stories. Illustrations and episodic pacing were common elements of följetonger.

Modern usage and related terms: in contemporary Swedish, följetong primarily denotes serialized fiction published in print, though the concept persists in other media formats as serialized storytelling. The term is cognate with Danish føljeton and Norwegian føljetong, which share similar meanings. In English, the closest equivalents are “serial” or “serial novel,” referring to a story told in installments rather than a single, self-contained work.