How Long Is It? - FAQ

Forensic portrait of Jane Austen by Melissa Dring

Q: I am afraid to ask this, but, HOW MANY WORDS did it take to finish ART'S BLOOD?

Is there a particular stopping point for you, or is the word count important?  That's a scary thought!

A: My books tend to be around 110,000 words.  I've tried to make them shorter but it just doesn't happen. In general, for fiction and for a debut novel, something around 70-80 thousand words would be a good ball park figure to keep in mind.


Yes, word count is important.  See Fiction Factor , an online magazine with good advice for writers. They have a fuller discussion and explanation of why editors like a certain word count HERE.

Q: I am presenting my book, chapter by chapter, on my web page, mainly to see if it is enjoyed and what comments I can benefit from where my reader's feedback is concerned .

I assume this isn't wise?  Now I'm worrying about the need for a copyrighted blog, and if there IS such a thing. 

A:  I referred this question to my agent and this is what she said:

"The author doesn't need to worry about copyright because the minute you create something it is automatically copyrighted.  As for an agent or editor being interested, well, if the author could claim she had 10,000 followers, that would create interest.  But if she has less than a few thousands, that's nothing to either an agent or an editor.  Is it a wise idea?  I don't think so -- why would anyone pay for a book they could read for free?  Why would an agent try to sell a book that had already been read for free?  But if you had over 10,000 readers, that would show people liked what they were reading and would indicate a wider audience could be reached.

Personally, I don't see any benefit in what she's doing -- a few chapters, okay, maybe create some interest.  But a whole book?  I don't see why it's worth doing."

Which was what I suspected.  But, you say you're hoping for useful feedback? What you want is a small  critique group, made up of knowledgeable folks interested in the genre you're writing.

Remember, I'll add this to the FAQ over on my DAY OF SMALL THINGS blog.  And if you have a writing-related question, email me or ask it in the comments.  I'll do my best to come up with an answer.