I'm writing my first ever novel, and feel that mine could be a little short. How many words to most novels have?
2006-12-04 23:58:39 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
A young-adult novel will run between 20,000 and 40,000 words.
A mass-market western, mystery or SF novel used to run to 60,000-70,000 words. Now they're more likely to hit 90,000 words. Fantasy novels seem to be about 125,000 words—per volume, with some series going on and on. Mainstream fiction can be anywhere from 55,000 words...
I'm writing one too but I have been for last 3 year...but work always get in my way! Agrrr
2006-12-05 00:02:58 · answer #1 · answered by Lucy 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My first novel is 77,000 words and it didn't make a difference to my target audience because they enjoyed the content of the book and that's what counts. If a book is boring it doesn't matter how many words are in it, but for safe keeping, I suggest that a first novel have a minimum of 60,000 words and a max of 65,000 words, because people are living more productive lives and don't have much time to read books with an extensive word count. Even manager's prefer resume's with one page, instead of 2 or 3 pages.
2014-12-08 22:33:46 · answer #2 · answered by Ernest 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the pitfalls that first-time novelists are often warned against is the temptation to put everything they want to say into a first novel. This can result in a very long and scattered story, and in "using up" all of your ideas in one book.
IMO, better to be a little short. If necessary, you can then add descriptions of places and people, and background info on characters.
There are lots of great novellas and shortish novels out there.
2006-12-05 05:32:16 · answer #3 · answered by Ms. Switch 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Don't focus too much on word count. Publishers generally look for around 50,000 words or more, but you don't want to pad it too much or it'll be boring. Use the number of words that you need to tell your story, and then work with an editor or friend to polish it up.
2006-12-05 01:14:47 · answer #4 · answered by Rose D 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
How many words should a first novel have?
I'm writing my first ever novel, and feel that mine could be a little short. How many words to most novels have?
2015-08-24 15:18:16 · answer #5 · answered by Branden 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been shopping a first novel of 52,000 and at least one agent has told me that it's too short.
2006-12-05 05:08:14 · answer #6 · answered by silverside 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Well, if it's short, it's normally called a novella. Also, you shouldn't worry about the length. It's the content that people are after most of the time.
2006-12-05 00:02:34 · answer #7 · answered by Nessa 2 · 8⤊ 0⤋
The publishers don't want to see a novel that is too short, 80,000 words or less. They also don't want to see a novel that would be too long for a first timer. 110,000 would be too long for a first timer, because they don't know if your book will sell. Shoot for around 90-95,000 words.
2006-12-05 01:23:48 · answer #8 · answered by Jessie P 6 · 8⤊ 4⤋
gone with the wind was a first novel count that
2006-12-05 00:07:56 · answer #9 · answered by zion 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
Not as many as Thomas Hardy put in Far From the Madding Crowd unless its not about sheep. That was far too long. About as long as the first Harry Potter one so that people can't wait for the next one!! Can't wait to read it!
2006-12-05 00:02:37 · answer #10 · answered by MI5 4 · 1⤊ 7⤋