![famous books word count famous books word count](https://s2982.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/books-book-stacks-feature-640x340.jpg)
“What’s the age range?” she asked me when I broached the subject. It was certainly one of the first to pass my lips when I met my editor to discuss my first children’s book. TBH, however, I'll say what I always say: if you write a jaw-dropping story with great and loveable characters, clear writing, and no fluff/padding, as long as it's highly commercial, an agent or editor is not going to refuse you.The ‘how long?’ question has to be one of the most commonly asked by new authors – perhaps even experienced ones, too. (And when he finishes it, since uni is in the way. We'll see what it's like once he finishes it, though. (if!!!) My partner's also writing a giiiiiant novel (think near 200k), an epic fantasy, and he says there's no way he can condense the word count because there's simply too much going on in the plot. I think it will be action-packed and engaging all the way through, if I can do it right.
![famous books word count famous books word count](https://bookmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/news_blogpostbookmamapagesnovel.png)
The version of that book which I'm writing now might even be longer, but that doesn't put me off. I'm sure I've heard him say a few times that in epic fantasy, longer books are fine and, indeed, preferred in the genre in the UK. He never said I had a problem with word count. I handed a 135,000-word MS to JJ back in 2008 (for editing purposes). Nonetheless, perhaps a debut author might be best aiming for something in the 100,000-120,000 range rather than - you clearly know far more about epic fantasy than I do, since I don't write it and everything I've heard has been kind of in passing, so I'll be quiet now I assume it's epic at the top end of the range.Įxcept The Swivet, these are American sources and I know in the US books tends to be shorter than in the UK. Writers Digest reckons 100,000-115,000 for fantasy but says it's probably ok up to 124,000.Īnd BookEnds (and here) reckons fantasy can run as high as 125,000. It's worth pointing out that the "sweet spot" for fantasy, according to most of the posts in blogs/ comments by agents etc seems to be longer than other genres but still about 100,000-120,000. I know one of the agents who reckoned her eyes glazed over at 140,000 is specifically looking for epic fantasy (but she did say it wouldn't stop her reading - she's very open to stuff - I just got the impression it would be tougher to interest her in something over about 140,000). I take my hat off to all those trying to achieve it. I think it's also interesting that Sanderson is on record suggesting that starting with an epic fantasy book is a daunting prospect and one he wouldn't recommend, that it was his 14th book that finally got published.
![famous books word count famous books word count](https://brynabutler.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wordcount1.jpg)
But I still think setting this as the benchmark for a debut novel makes it harder to break into publishing. You're right, Brian, that I was going across all the genres, and epic does run longer than any others. In fact, I would argue that these figures tell me the opposite of what you mean, and that only a handful of successful sff authors are succeeding in putting out such long works, and if you are an aspiring sff author with something at 200k to give yourself the best chance possible, it would be better to edit it down, if you can, or split it into two books.Įdit: lots of posting while I waffled on. The bottom line is if you take these figures as a guideline when you are starting out you limit your market, you limit yourself to specialist sff agents, and you give yourself less chance to succeed. Ergo, since the thread specifically says this is info for debut books, I think it is very misleading to anyone dropping in. The Wars of Light and Shadow – Janny Wurtsīut, ahem, using my thinking cap tells me that these are all established authors and once I am established - ha! - i, too, might get the leeway to produce an epic piece of work should I choose to do so. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever – Stephen R. Scott BakkerĪ Land Fit for Heroes(?) – Richard Morgan King Killer Chronicles - Patrick Rothfuss
![famous books word count famous books word count](https://www.wordcounttool.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/fabiola-penalba-kl_XvEOqMU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg)
Malazan Book of the Fallen - Steven Erikson Joe Abercrombie - First Law (& standalones)Ī Song of Ice And Fire - George R.
FAMOUS BOOKS WORD COUNT SERIES
I've been doing some research into epic fantasy word counts recently, especially to get an idea of debut novel figures over recent years.Īnyway, here's the figures and facts I have so far - looks like big debut novels are anything but unusual in epic fantasy now:ĮDIT: General word counts in epic fantasy series included for reference