1. Keitsumah

    Keitsumah The Dream-Walker Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2012
    Messages:
    3,282
    Likes Received:
    285
    Location:
    Nebraska

    Novel What is too long for a book?

    Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by Keitsumah, Nov 25, 2012.

    Hey guys,

    I was wondering how long a book usually is limited at. I'm writing a trilogy (or planning to as i am still in the first book) and the rough draft is over 100,000 words and still growing (this is based off of twenty-five chapters with a four-thousand word average). I'm wondering if it is becoming too long for it's type, but then i am doing it from two people's perspectives and that adds a lot more detail in order to clarify their current setting and their situations. Also, the draft is barely even half-way done in my opinion, but I'm concerned about a book that ends up being over 200,000 words. I'm not an overly "wordy" writer i think, but i need an opinion.
     
  2. Dagolas

    Dagolas Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    Messages:
    642
    Likes Received:
    68
    Location:
    France
    Make it as long as it needs. Typically 300 000 words would be the limit, in my opinion.
     
  3. captain kate

    captain kate Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Cruising through space.
    For a beginning writer, their first novel should be between 80-100k with 110k probably as high as you'll get. This is from guidelines. A series is a tough sell for a new writer also. The first book needs to be a total standalone and do well before a publisher or agent will be interested in sequels. Note: this comes from experienced people in the field.

    If you're looking at 200k in a beginning novel, I'm willing to be they'll be plenty of words, paragraphs and even chapter's that can be cut when doing hard copy high editing.
     
  4. psychotick

    psychotick Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2011
    Messages:
    1,526
    Likes Received:
    477
    Location:
    Rotorua, New Zealand
    Hi,

    I just pubbed Days of Light and Shadow. 250k words, one hundred and twenty chapters plus an epilogue. It went on sale yesteray morning and two have sold. So if you self pub and do it all electronically, the limit is fairly much what you make it. If you go through a publisher, someone else will decide.

    Cheers, Greg.
     
  5. Dagolas

    Dagolas Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    Messages:
    642
    Likes Received:
    68
    Location:
    France
    Self published and already two copies? Share your secrets, my friend!
     
  6. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2011
    Messages:
    3,258
    Likes Received:
    847
    Look to the genre for your guide. What's the typical length? That's what to shoot for - but if the story requires more (and isn't just a matter of not being properly edited/revised), then go long. Just bear in mind, this is your first draft - the final product is a long way off yet, and there's a great deal that will most likely be dropped before then.
     
  7. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    if you self-pub, there's no limit...

    but if you hope to snag an agent and/or a paying publisher as a new an unknown writer, you'd best stick to their limits, or it's most likely your ms won't even be looked at...
     
  8. Keitsumah

    Keitsumah The Dream-Walker Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2012
    Messages:
    3,282
    Likes Received:
    285
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Thanks guys for the tips. I think I'll just try to finish the rough draft first and (yes the idea is for me to self-publish) hopefully i'll get the first book done at some point (this thing has taken over three years so far to write and is the first major book im trying as i stink at short stories -ugh an i have like 15 other novels i want to work on). Maybe i was just overrreacting but then it's best to ask questions rather than not. lol :D
     
  9. Fife

    Fife New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2012
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    US
    I just want to say that this is a question I was wondering as well. Thanks, though indirectly :).
     
  10. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2010
    Messages:
    5,101
    Likes Received:
    3,203
    Location:
    Queens, NY
    And how many writers on that list were first-time writers within the past 25 years?

    As Mammamaia said, if you want to self-publish or don't care about being published at all, no limit. But if you have dreams of being published, think smaller.
     
  11. SuperVenom

    SuperVenom Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2010
    Messages:
    475
    Likes Received:
    71
    Location:
    South Wales
    This was a good piece of advice I was given in a different thread. :) hope this helps
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice