I am in a quandary. I have completed the manuscript for the novel that follows (and continues) Keechie.
It is the story of Keehie's ancestors - the ones who originally came to
the area where Keechie's cave is located. It also continues the lives
of the family who still live in Keechie's cave.

My problem is whether I should call it (on the cover) a prequel/sequel
or a companion book. If I pick up a book that looks interesting, then
see that it is a sequel - and I haven't read the first one, I will put
it back.

I wrote it (Granny Boo ~ The Legacy of the Puma Man) as a
stand-alone by including enough back story from Keechie in the first few chapters so
that (hopefully) you can read either book first and then want to buy
the other.

Should I just not call it anything and make a statement in an introduction or prologue that it is both a prequel and a sequel?

Am I being anal retentive?

What about, "Another episode in the life of...."

"Return of the Son of the Valley of the Revenge of Keechie"

Or, 'Continuing the saga . . ."

Anal Retentive?
Nah. Not in the stictest sense.

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I think the suggestions already given are good.

Just put you new book's title and then add a line that it is a further adventure of, or on going saga, or another Keechie story ...

Stand alone may work as well.

Louisa M. Alcott, who wrote 'Little Women', also wrote 'Little Men' and 'Jo's Boys'. All three books were about the March sisters, though the last two focused more on Jo March after she grew up. They could have been considered sequels, but she wrote them with independent titles.

Go with what feels and sounds right to you.

Thanks for the suggestions. I wonder if I should say anything at all, and let Granny Boo stand on its own. I could then add a blurb at the
end referring readers to Keechie.

I wrote Keechie in first person POV and learned a valuable lesson about how limiting that can be. Granny Boo is in third person. It was a challenge to make it both a prequel and a sequel, but I am pleased with the results

Sounds good, Brew.

Ten Times Guilty was third person and Beyond the Quiet is in first.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but for my next one, I'll
use third because I'll want different POVs. I think it all depends on
the type of book and the tone.

I agree with JoElle. Go with what you feel in your gut. You can't go wrong.

On a side note, I wanted to let you know, Brew, that a friend of mine went to my website and fell in love with your book Keechie. I think she bought it or is planning to if she hasn't already.

Thanks for the link on your website, Sue. It DOES work! For some reason
there has been a small flurry of sales for Keechie - and it has been
out since Dec. 2005. I really think it has to do with swapping links on
our websites.

You are very welcome, Brew. It is my pleasure!