: Re: Is there a place for an epilogue in a standalone novel? By definition, an epilogue is an additional chapter after the end of a book. Also, it literally means "additional word". I can imagine

@Smith147

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Epilogues are very common in a variety of novels, as well as movies (sometimes they're filmed, sometimes they're prose on the screen). My own novel has both a prologue and an epilogue, but I guess it doesn't count as an example until it's published.

Epilogues often include a significant time jump. Mine goes 25 years in the future. They can be a summary of where the characters are in the future (or the present, if the book takes place in the past).

They can also jump to different characters. For example, the story may culminate with the defeat of the villain and end with the main characters basking in the glory. An epilogue might take you back to the villain for some comeuppance. Or you could go to some secondary characters.

Another possibility is to use the epilogue to "pan out" and show the bigger picture of the story. Things that the reader didn't know. Politics, history, the actions of the gods, whatever.

How you use it is up to you. If you should use it, is another question. Some say no to prologues and epilogues. But they are both common and can be very productive. Just keep them short and sweet.

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