How Long Are Your Novels?

Margarita Skies · Feb 3, 2010

Hi.

I'm just curious. How long are your novels? What's the largest novel you've ever written? The shortest?

Thanks
Magali.

Caitlin Black · Feb 3, 2010

The longest one I ever wrote was 124k, over 2 months. The shortest is a novella that I just finished last month, at 40k. I also have 1 more at 65k, (Young Adult) and a sequel that's going to be about 65k too, but isn't finished yet.

How long are your novels?

kaitie · Feb 3, 2010

The very first one I ever wrote that needs a complete rewrite was only 69k. I'm not sure about a couple in between because they were handwritten, but longer than that I imagine. The last one I wrote was 185k on the first draft and is down to 120k now. I'm still working on the new one, though my current guess is that it'll end up somewhere around 100k when it's finished (I figure the first draft might land around 145k). It could easily end up shorter, though.

Adam · Feb 3, 2010

26k (sci-fi novella), 38k (urban fantasy novella), 72k (high fantasy). My current WIP feels like it'll hit 80k, though that's just an informed guess.

scarletpeaches · Feb 3, 2010

Longest: 148,502.

Shortest: 74,270 (so far).

Shortest complete one: 126k and change.

M.R.J. Le Blanc · Feb 3, 2010

Shortest: just over 50k

Longest: this WIP I have will likely clock in at 100k

AlishaS · Feb 3, 2010

My completed novel is hovering over the 77K mark, my other is currently 32K and I have some started but no where near finished coming in at about 15k each.

Chris P · Feb 3, 2010

My shortest short story was 576 words (The Governor, in my sig.) My POD novella was 44K, and the first version of my novel was 230K. It's now about 132K and I'm pretty sure I can get it under 120K, maybe under 110K.

Shadow_Ferret · Feb 3, 2010

Longest: 190,000
Shortest: 70,000

Nateskate · Feb 3, 2010

I've never read Harry Potter. But her novels started small and ended large. That's going to happen with mine so long as the publisher is okay with that. Novels 1-5 are already pretty much intact, and unless the publisher asks for massive changes that's how it will work. First book 90,000. Later books are over 150,000.

My agent suggested perhaps adding a chapter in Book One to break up a scene. But we're still waiting for the Publisher to chime in.

Ardelie · Feb 3, 2010

My first novel, a fantasy, was 140k cut down to 115k. I still think it might be too long. High word counts can just be scary because there's an implication its overwritten, although there are exceptions.

The one I'm working on right now will be about 75k and that feels more comfortable.

The Sell Your Novel Toolkit by Elizabeth Lyon has ranges for each genre and even some subgenres, keeping agents and editors specifically in mind. I found it very helpful.

erin_michelle · Feb 3, 2010

My longest novel is at 140K (trunked by now) and my shortest is last year's NaNo at 47K.

Varthikes · Feb 3, 2010

Longest was the last one I completed, which was almost 117,700 words.

The shortest was a novella at 13,400 (is that still a novella, or would it be a novelette now?).

blacbird · Feb 4, 2010

Long enough to know better.

caw

Kateness · Feb 4, 2010

the longest - 302k (the first novel I ever wrote, when I was about 14)

the shortest - 82k

gothicangel · Feb 4, 2010

Longest: 90,000

Shortest: 67,000

SirOtter · Feb 4, 2010

Smarter Than the Average Werewolf is 85,000 words.

Linda Adams · Feb 4, 2010

Longest: 80K

Shortest: 51K (first draft of same book)

Katrina S. Forest · Feb 4, 2010

I write very short novels. My longest was 60K in its rough draft stage. I trimmed it down to 55K. I'm amazed when people write manuscripts that are 150K+, because I've never been able to concoct a story that needed that much space.

The good news is that my stuff is all YA, and no one seems to be complaining about 55K being too short for that genre.

kayleamay · Feb 4, 2010

Longest 131k
Shortest 52k

sheadakota · Feb 4, 2010

as long as they need to be to tell the story

mine range from 68K to 92K

shaldna · Feb 4, 2010

longest was about 140k, shortest (and incidentally my first published book) was only 24k.

most of my novels now are averaging between 65 and 90k

seun · Feb 4, 2010

Longest was about 130,000 words (and it was crap). Shortest was just over 45,000 words. I average these days about 90,000.

CaroGirl · Feb 4, 2010

My shortest novel is too short and my longest novel is...also too short.

ChaosTitan · Feb 4, 2010

Longest: 120k

Shortest: 82k

How Long Are Your Novels?

Wild one

With great power comes

Not dead.

aka Sadistic Mistress Mi-chan

Is swimming with creativity frogs

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Court Jester

Ardelie

Foreshadowing Queen

Dragon Writer

Toughen up.

Il Cavaliere Marino

Soldier, Storyteller

I'm on the phone.

part of the human equation

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Horror Man

Living the dream

Around