How long should the first novel be? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T07:34:51Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/how-long-should-the-first?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A239030&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noJohn:
You might have a tough…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-23:537324:Comment:2390302010-06-23T05:15:36.840ZMelissa Emeraldhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MelissaEmerald
John:<br />
You might have a tough time getting a agent to pick up a crime story that's less than 70,000. Of course there are always exceptions, but I keep hearing that 75,000-80,000 is supposed to be the sweet spot for genre fiction.<br />
<br />
I did a little searching and ran across a July 2009 post from literary agent, Jessica Faust. She says:<br />
"My answer is when in doubt think 80,000 words, give or take. I don’t think that you can ever go wrong with 80,000 words whether you’re writing mystery, romance,…
John:<br />
You might have a tough time getting a agent to pick up a crime story that's less than 70,000. Of course there are always exceptions, but I keep hearing that 75,000-80,000 is supposed to be the sweet spot for genre fiction.<br />
<br />
I did a little searching and ran across a July 2009 post from literary agent, Jessica Faust. She says:<br />
"My answer is when in doubt think 80,000 words, give or take. I don’t think that you can ever go wrong with 80,000 words whether you’re writing mystery, romance, fantasy, literary fiction, or nonfiction."<br />
<a href="http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2009/07/word-count.html" target="_blank">http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2009/07/word-count.html</a><br />
<br />
And here's a little blurb from Chuck Sambuchino, who edits the Guide to Literary Agents put out by Writer's Digest:<br />
80,000 - 89,999: Totally cool<br />
90,000 - 99,999: Generally safe<br />
70,000 - 79,999: Might be too short; probably all right<br />
100,000 - 109,999: Might be too long; probably all right<br />
Below 70,000: Too short<br />
110,000 or above Too long<br />
<a href="http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/CategoryView,category,WordCount.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/CategoryView,category,WordCount.aspx</a> As a reader, I prefer books t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-10:537324:Comment:2378142010-06-10T22:40:27.499ZLaura Roothttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/mallard
As a reader, I prefer books to be 200 - 300 pages, I am put off reading a book that's very long (say more than 450 pages).
As a reader, I prefer books to be 200 - 300 pages, I am put off reading a book that's very long (say more than 450 pages). This is actually my second bo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-29:537324:Comment:2360292010-05-29T22:15:23.981ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
This is actually my second book written. The first one was too graphic for the publishers, and there was no way to tone it down without killing the story. I have kept up with them since my first submission with them, and they are really anxious about my new work. I just finished it (unless they tell me to do more) and will be sending it off Monday morning. I'll certainly let everyone know when it comes out to pick up a copy. Keep your eyes peeled for a title of The 22nd Degree.
This is actually my second book written. The first one was too graphic for the publishers, and there was no way to tone it down without killing the story. I have kept up with them since my first submission with them, and they are really anxious about my new work. I just finished it (unless they tell me to do more) and will be sending it off Monday morning. I'll certainly let everyone know when it comes out to pick up a copy. Keep your eyes peeled for a title of The 22nd Degree. The piece I am currently work…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-29:537324:Comment:2360242010-05-29T21:48:39.270ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
The piece I am currently working on is based on a real person, and I had almost nine chapters written before I really got into my research. Once that was done, I had to work what I had into the story to achieve the same outcome. Anyway, it comes in at just under 180,000 and the publishers are beside themselves waiting for it.
The piece I am currently working on is based on a real person, and I had almost nine chapters written before I really got into my research. Once that was done, I had to work what I had into the story to achieve the same outcome. Anyway, it comes in at just under 180,000 and the publishers are beside themselves waiting for it. I'm all about giving the read…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-29:537324:Comment:2359862010-05-29T18:00:01.200ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
I'm all about giving the reader/consumer what they pay for. I won't put out anything less than 50,000. That only translates to about 200 pages, and books don't sell cheap.
I'm all about giving the reader/consumer what they pay for. I won't put out anything less than 50,000. That only translates to about 200 pages, and books don't sell cheap. Why is 50k to 60k your sweet…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-29:537324:Comment:2359842010-05-29T17:21:02.258ZBenjamin Sobieckhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
Why is 50k to 60k your sweet spot?
Why is 50k to 60k your sweet spot? Okay. Just be careful. There…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-29:537324:Comment:2359612010-05-29T13:57:32.516ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Okay. Just be careful. There are sharks out there.
Okay. Just be careful. There are sharks out there. The editors I am working with…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-28:537324:Comment:2359312010-05-28T23:04:38.334ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
The editors I am working with at the moment have seen my potential and are looking forward to the completed work. I don't have any contracts right at the moment, and I know better than to send off any work to pay someone to edit it only since they claim to be able to get it published. I got really lucky finding the two I did and am sticking with them.
The editors I am working with at the moment have seen my potential and are looking forward to the completed work. I don't have any contracts right at the moment, and I know better than to send off any work to pay someone to edit it only since they claim to be able to get it published. I got really lucky finding the two I did and am sticking with them. Doesn't sound like you have a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-28:537324:Comment:2359242010-05-28T20:40:28.420ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Doesn't sound like you have a contract with the publisher. Beware of "editors" who make promises they can't keep. Usually, the contract comes first, and then you get an editor who works for the publisher. The thing you don't want to do is to pay someone to edit your book because they tell you they can get it published.
Doesn't sound like you have a contract with the publisher. Beware of "editors" who make promises they can't keep. Usually, the contract comes first, and then you get an editor who works for the publisher. The thing you don't want to do is to pay someone to edit your book because they tell you they can get it published. The editors I'm working with…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-05-28:537324:Comment:2359182010-05-28T19:55:53.998ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
The editors I'm working with are currently working with one of the largest publishing houses in the country. I can't say which one directly, but they both are amzed at my work. They both have told me to just write the story and they'll let me know what needs to be done to it. One place I would not suggest going to is Olympia Press. I sent my first manuscript to them and had it printed, but there was no editing done to the piece, so I had to pull the work back and almost rewrite it for them.…
The editors I'm working with are currently working with one of the largest publishing houses in the country. I can't say which one directly, but they both are amzed at my work. They both have told me to just write the story and they'll let me know what needs to be done to it. One place I would not suggest going to is Olympia Press. I sent my first manuscript to them and had it printed, but there was no editing done to the piece, so I had to pull the work back and almost rewrite it for them. Anyway, good luck, and if I can name the publisher I'm working with, I'll let you know.