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| | The Write and Publish Fiction Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Question about the word count on Novels | Views: 22615 | | Jul 08, 2007 8:24 pm | | Question about the word count on Novels | # | 
Martin Bartloff | | My name is Martin Bartloff I'm currently working on my first novel. It is Young adult fiction.
I'm currently aproaching 22,000 words.
I have read somewhere and I don't know if this is true, that the average novel has 75,000 to 150,000 words.
I have enough material for another 20,000 and I'm afraid that if I push my novel to 75,000 words it might become boring and cluttered.
I have recently read a novel "saint iggy" and I doubt that book was anywhere near 75,000 words. I couldn't find any information about its word count and I asked the author, but her replies to have taken 2 or more weeks in the past.
If anybody could fill me in a bit, if there is a unwritten rule on the word etc.
Thanks so much for your help up front.
Martin BartloffPrivate Reply to Martin Bartloff | | Jul 08, 2007 8:44 pm | | re: Question about the word count on Novels | # | 
Kim Paluch | | Here are two sites that talk about word count. My own opinion is that word count is not something you worry about until after you've finished the story, and have done at least 1 or 2 edits to be sure the story is thorough. Then figure out what you need to do to meet word count.
http://www.writersdigest.com/qadisplay.asp?id=1315&secondarycategory=Fiction+Subhome+Pagep%3A%2F%2F
http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/wordcount.html
Sometimes authors write with shorter descriptions and less words because they're accustomed to communicating in short story, article or essay form.
Another recommendation...consider joining a writing group. The group I am a part of is great, they help with pre-editing (before it is submitted), and there is great variety of writers there.
http://www.thewritingbridge.org/
Good luck!
KimPrivate Reply to Kim Paluch | | Jul 09, 2007 1:41 pm | | re: re: Question about the word count on Novels | # |
Jenny | | I would add, too, that in the YA category, there's more room for shorter novels, especially if the book is considered to be part of a series. (Think Goosebumps or Animorphs.)
I think Kim gave you some fabulous links and advice. Write the book first, then worry about the wordcount. Sounds to me like you have at the very least a novella, which is a lot easier to market to YA publishers than elsewhere.
Also, this is very brand new information--but Echelon Press, my publisher, is preparing to launch a YA imprint called "Quake." You may want to tuck that nugget away as a possible market. :)
Hope that helps!
Warmly,
Jenny:)Private Reply to Jenny | | Jul 09, 2007 3:22 pm | | Dear Jenny re: re: re: Question about the word count on Novels | # |
Martin Bartloff | | Dear Jenny,
Thanks so much for your kind comment. In fact I tried to send you a fiends request, but it asked for your email address which I don't have.
Reason I wanted to talk to you anyway was, I saw that you edited some ones book (not of this world) and I was wondering if you could take a look at what I have written.
I have a friend who published 3 books who has looked at my story and did some editing.
You're doing a fabilous job from what I can tell and I'd like to email you some chapters if you have the time?.
Also, The local newspaper is writing an article on my novel. They are doing an interview and a photo shooting tomorrow at my buisness. I'm hoping it will help me find a publisher by the time my book is finished. What are your thoughts on that?
My email address is bnzmn600@aol.com
Martin bartloffPrivate Reply to Martin Bartloff | | Jul 09, 2007 5:50 pm | | re: Dear Jenny re: re: re: Question about the word count on Novels | # |
S | | Hey Martin,
I think you are lucky to be getting some publicity before your novel is published. And I agree that you need not worry about the word counts till you finish your book. Although a few publishers insist on the benchmark you have mentioned. In india I guess we don't have any such bench marks.. Am though still groping for the same... cheers SuePrivate Reply to S | | Jul 09, 2007 10:27 pm | | re: Dear Jenny re: re: re: Question about the word count on Novels | # |
Jenny | | Hi Martin :)
I do run a critique service, but I'm not taking on any new clients right now. I couldn't do a full book justice at the moment with my own career taking off. (I have the final book in my action/adventure series to turn in yet for fall publication, a YA series of my own that my publisher has asked me to write, and a full-length thriller I'm rewriting per the suggestions of a senior editor at Kensington. Phew!)
But :)
I wouldn't mind taking a look at a few pages of your writing and giving you some advice on how you might better improve your chances with a publisher/agent. Most times, I find, any problems that pop up in the first five pages or so are fairly indicative of what might be problematic in the rest of the book. Any advice I might offer on the first five pages, therefore, could be applied throughout.
If you'd like, you can send the first five pages to me here: jturner4@charter.net and I'll take a look for you :)
Warmly,
Jenny:)Private Reply to Jenny | | |
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