Back In School

[dcress]

So much to learn. Just joined. A lot of reading to do b4 asking too many questions, but I have one.

How many words constitute a paperback novel. I have read several answers so far. I have written short stories for 30 years and on my second novel while editing the first for submission to a publisher/agent.

Thx and God's Grace
David

[passionpen]

I would say about 200,000 words. About 720 double spaced pages. That's just an estimation.

[dcress]

Whoa. I guess I have some backing up to do. My first novel attempt ended up at 500k. Maybe I spent too much time describing the head of a pin in the bright sunlight? LOL.

God's Grace
David

[Tamera]

The average novel is between 80,000 and 110,000 words. Publishers generally don't like to go with the expense of printing a book over 120,000 words. Tradeback novels like westerns or romances can range from 50,000 to 80,000 words.

[dcress]

Thx. I guess I can edit down quite a bit and I thought I had cut it close. Hindsight says, I should have looked this up before I wrote the story. I'm learning.

God's Grace,
David

[tlm]

I have a ms that I am editing and the publisher wants 55,000 words. Right now the ms is only 49,800. <sigh>