Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers
Book size for new writers
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on
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Sorry about the short massage...I want to know what size (word count) is good for first time writers?
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Permalink Reply by Kay Elizabeth on
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There's nothing wrong with a short message. :)
The word count depends entirely on what you want to write, Robert. It varies by genre what's an acceptable length for publication. These guidelines should help.
Genre Novels – Word Count Rules, Subgenres, and Guidelines For Get...
What genre were you thinking of writing in?
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Mystery, most of the publishers I saw in the Writer's Market were asking for book lengths of 70-90,000 words. My book was 142,000. However I have trimed it down 20,000. I am halfway through the book. I'm not sure if I'll meet my goal of trimming down 50,000 words by book's end. Thank You so very much for your imput. Robert
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You're very welcome, Robert. You're going to have to be ruthless there to reduce it down to an acceptable size. Have you thought about asking an editor to look at your manuscript?
Robert Allen said:Mystery, most of the publishers I saw in the Writer's Market were asking for book lengths of 70-90,000 words. My book was 142,000. However I have trimed it down 20,000. I am halfway through the book. I'm not sure if I'll meet my goal of trimming down 50,000 words by book's end. Thank You so very much for your imput. Robert
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Ruthless!!! Yes. It's quite hard. However, I am learning a lot. I read somewhere 'stay to the story' the story is fast pace and to cut so much out leaves it sounding boring, maybe not??? My plan is to cut the 50,000 words and try again. And to answer your question, I have not looked for an editor, money is short. But thank you! Robert
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Permalink Reply by Dairenna VonRavenstone on
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I wasn't told to cut down my book size, then again, I went the self-published route. My book ended up being 157,000 words which worked out to be about 420 pages when printed. It's fantasy though so it's somewhat expected of the genre.
As for getting an editor, they are worth their weight in gold. I thought I was decent at spelling and grammar, but when I received my manuscript back it was covered in red marks. I think I went maybe two pages (out of about 200) without making a mistake. I strongly suggest finding an editor, or at the very least getting someone else to look over your work.
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Thank you, I agree, however I am going to send it out when finished. I have polished it and then polished it again and again. I hope not to have mistakes.
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One more thing, there are certain words, that I can't spell to save my soul. So, I keep a page in my documents for words and meanings and when I run across those brain busters, I look them up on my page. And another thing, what I write here, I just write, for the most I do not edit. I do enjoy this, there's no thinking but a lot of help.
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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on
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So, what if your book is way longer than those guidelines? Is it really almost impossible to get it published?
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What I have learned, is, stay within the guidelines. That doesn't mean all publishers will not look at the book. It just means some won't. However, after revising it, I have eliminated close to 20,000 words at this time. And I am satisfied with those cuts. One publisher suggested that I write two books out of the one. But I need to move on from this story. So I will, for the first book, follow the guidelines and hopely have it ready by early spring.
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Permalink Reply by Viviana Arteaga on
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Wow guys! You all are awesome for just finishing! Ive been trying to just finish a story and not get stuck!! I wish you all the best!!
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Getting struck!!! At times I write for hours and hours only to delete the following day, I know what getting stuck means. But don't stop. Move forward and if needed, come back, however I know how hard it is to move forward when you're trying to put down an idea or revise something and it won't come out. Don't set a time on your work, once you get it to the publishers, they will be happy to give you deadlines. So have fun and move as you can...
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