Comments on: How many words should a first novel have?

By: Camley

Camley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:52:19 +0000

I have been writing for two years and so far, in all my research, almost everyone, author or not, has told me different statements about how long a story should be. They all have their own personal opinions. The best way is: “is to write what you need to write”. Then you can concentrate how many words you want. As long as you don’t delete anything valuable in the deleting process. But, to humor you, the best for young-adult books is 20,000 to 40,000 words.

By: first time writer, major reader

first time writer, major reader — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:26:56 +0000

i see that most of you are saying generally 60-90 thousand words is good and that 120,000+ is too big. but i have to say i read alot hence my “name” and generally i read a whole 200,000-500,000 word book (although its online and fan fiction) in like 3-4 days. now im not sure average reading speed i may read alot faster than normal.anyway ive also read alot shorter books around 100,000 and less words that are still great. but i prefer long books anway

so i would say 100,000 - 200,000 generally would be good

By: Sup

Sup — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:33:37 +0000

Basically, you are looking at 100,000 words. This is publisher is going to say. No more - no less…. your 52000 word story is a novella. It is not a novel and the person who told you it is to short is correct. If the story is complete and you are happy with it, I would write another one about the same length. Combine the two into a book and you will have a novel. I would get an opionion in the first story. If they say it is great! Write the second one. It will be VERY hard to pad 48000 words into a completed story.

By: bored writer

bored writer — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:30:59 +0000

Dunno about words but, 2-400 pages.
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By: Ms. Switch

Ms. Switch — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:41:59 +0000

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.
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By: silverside

silverside — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:28:59 +0000

I've been shopping a first novel of 52,000 and at least one agent has told me that it's too short.
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By: Jessie P

Jessie P — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:07:59 +0000

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.
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By: Rose D

Rose D — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:55:59 +0000

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.
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By: mary

mary — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:50:59 +0000

I agree with coco
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By: dukefenton

dukefenton — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:10:59 +0000

As many as you need to tell the story you want to the way you want to, but no more.
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