Happy ending?

Or tragic? Devastating? Weird?

Introduction

I recently had a conversation with a writer — an editing client and friend — about this topic.

Do readers expect books to end happily ever after, happy for now, happy enough?

Photo by Y S on Unsplash

Or are sad, tragic, even devastating endings acceptable to readers?

For writers, we can end our books however we choose. It’s a creative endeavor. …