Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

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message 1: by Doug (new)

Doug Oudin | 169 comments Usually, the more words, the higher the retail price of the book, if you use an Indie Publisher. From what I have learned, 80-100k seems to be the norm for non-established authors.


message 2: by Paula (new)

Paula Houseman (paulahouseman) | 75 comments An editor told me we (readers) are being conditioned into shorter attention spans. Maybe that depends on your demographic (if ur writing 4 YA who can't b bothered using full wds in a txt u might need 2 keep it shorter). LOL


message 3: by Paula (new)

Paula Houseman (paulahouseman) | 75 comments An editor told me we (readers) are being conditioned into shorter attention spans. Maybe that depends on your demographic (if ur writing 4 YA who can't b bothered using full wds in a txt u might need 2 keep it shorter). LOL


message 4: by Joe (new)

Joe Jackson (shoelessauthor) Jeannie, as long as each story fits the correct word count, you can just subtitle your book as "A Collection of Short Stories."


message 5: by A.R. (new)

A.R. Simmons (arsimmons) | 63 comments The length of a book is much like the length of a paragraph. It should be long enough to reach its conclusion. Start at the beginning, go right through the story, and quit when you get to the end.

PS If it's really long, it needs to be really good.


message 6: by Steve (new)

Steve Harrison (stormingtime) | 77 comments The best rule of thumb, in my opinion, is to check a number of similar published books, because they will tell you the approximate length expected by your readership.

This doesn't mean you have to do the same, but knowledge is power, as they say :)


message 7: by Alicia (new)

Alicia Ehrhardt (aliciabutcherehrhardt) A.R. wrote: "If it's really long, it needs to be really good."

Couldn't agree more. I have ten reviews for my debut novel (and a bunch of emails from people who don't review - sigh), Pride's Children.

One review says the book was too long for the reviewer (and gave it 2 stars); everyone else is clamoring for Books 2 and 3 of the trilogy.

Readers have different opinions, and are looking for different things - bless their hearts.

If I find something I like, I hate to have it end. So much work to go find another I will like.


message 8: by K.D. (new)

K.D. McQuain (kd_mcquain) | 97 comments Write your story to its conclusion, make it the best you can, and let the word count sort itself out.


message 9: by P.I. (new)

P.I. (thewordslinger) | 124 comments Are they three stand alone stories or a trilogy (where the storyline continues)? If they continue the story they are a trilogy so you can also check the # of word count for that.


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