appropriate word counts for books

[JohnDurvin]

Turns out the book I'm trying to get published is probably too long--118,000, specifically. (I'm working on shortening it.) I had no idea this was too long; I've read up on various writing topics, but all I ever saw about word count was that if you've got more than a certain amount, it's a novel, and if less it's a novella, unless it's so short it's a short story. What's the maximum length a book should be? (If it matters, it's my debut, a sometimes-humorous sci-fi novel for adults--I'm sure YA is supposed to be shorter.)

[Guardian]

118k is not long at all as the accepted legth is around 120-125k. Fantasy and Sci-Fi also may reach 150k (That's rare, but it's also possible.). You may shorten your work, but I don't believe you really have to (But if editing can kill few hundred words, that's always good.). Some used to say and used to urge others to cut their WIP to 65-80k. But these false advises used to come from those who can't write, develop and / or read longer novels (Plus, if this would be true, there wouldn't be 6-700 pages long debut novels, especially in the fantasy and sci-fi genre.).

The difference between longer and shorter works; the difficulty (Be it writing, reading and selling). Ultra short ones can be placed easier, but your work can be longer if the story requires it. Although the ultra short length, such as 65-75k is limiting the story and world development and it's used to kill the essence what is making the difference between sci-fi and sci-fi and fantasy and fantasy. So always consider what is the best interests for your novel. If it can't be shorter by some reason, don't make it shorter. But if editing is capable to reduce the word count, go ahead and cut where its necessary.

[Margo]

If you want to get it published by one of the Big 6, you have to consider word count. That's just the way it is, especially if it will be your debut. Yes, YA generally has to be shorter. Try searching on the topic on the BookEnds agent blog (Nathan has a link around here somewhere). There are details about length guidelines by genre in one of her posts. Former agent Colleen Lindsay also has one on her old blog. Colleen's post also explains why the guidelines exist (beyond the 'because agent/editors are evil' excuse too many writers are using these days). In fact, if you search my old posts, you will probably find links to both of the blog posts I mentioned above.

[Guardian]

Sorry, I missed the YA part. As it's a YA, yes, Margo is right. In that case your work should be max. 80k (Some says it's 40-70k, but you may go bravely with 80k).

[wilderness]

For adult sci-fi, 118K is within reasonable word-count limits.

http://theswivet.blogspot.com/2008/03/o ... ength.html

[Sommer Leigh]

I've seen a lot of agents recently mentioning that with paranormal YA it is acceptable to go up to 100,000. For most other YA, 80,000 is a good number to shoot for, but if you get below 60,000 you're heading into middle grade territory.

I do not know the ranges for adult fiction.

I second Margo's comment about looking at the BookEnds blog. I know that PubRants has also covered it.

EDIT: Here is the link to the BookEnds post - http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2 ... count.html

[TheZies]

it's very, very genre specific.

But I've been told to use the number of words it takes to tell my story. If it's 25 words or if it's 125-thousand words, just tell the story.

If you have a fantastically told story for 118k words, no one will care.

If you're being told it's too long, I imagine you may just have some slow parts that aren't pushing the plot. I'd make sure every single one of those 118,000 words is pushing the plot to the very last word. And if it's not? cut it.

I've cut some of my best writing from my story because it didn't move the plot. My favorite scenes have ended up on the cutting room floor. (though, I might get to add one back! which makes me happy.)

You can't love your book during the editing process.

[rosepetal720]

Like they said, it depends on the genre.

I write historical fiction, and I was told that it has to be between 85,000 and 100,000 words, then a ton of people told me 85,000 is too short. I think 100,000 words is optimal, but it just goes to show that there are no hard and fast rules. You should write it the way it needs to be written, add and cut words to get an approximate length, and hope for the best!