Quick word count question.

[lemonhead]

I've been over my WIP a billion times. I've cut every extra word, every re-statement, every feeling. I've showed out the wazzoo, fleshed out every issue, tied up every loose end. Then I did it again.

The problem is- my upper grade YA coming of age romance is coming in at a solid 45,000 words. Based on my research, it seems this is kind of low and might be a problem when querying.

I don't like writing extra stuff but I don't want to screw up querying with a low word count.

Should I pad the word count or trust that the word count shouldn't be a hurdle if everything else looks good?

Edit: By "pad" I mean pad my manuscript with more words...not lie about the word count. lol. Sorry...

[Shady Lane]

You're fine. BREAK, my first book, is 43K.

[kaitiepaige17]

Yeah, you're probably okay. Personally, I try to keep my WIPs between 50,000 and 80,000. But if that doesn't work for your book, don't worry about it. Especially if you're a first time writer (most YA agents shy away from a thicker debut novel.)

[Ryan_Sullivan]

I've been over my WIP a billion times. I've cut every extra word, every re-statement, every feeling. I've showed out the wazzoo, fleshed out every issue, tied up every loose end. Then I did it again.

The problem is- my upper grade YA coming of age romance is coming in at a solid 45,000 words. Based on my research, it seems this is kind of low and might be a problem when querying.

I don't like writing extra stuff but I don't want to screw up querying with a low word count.

Should I pad the word count or trust that the word count shouldn't be a hurdle if everything else looks good?

Edit: By "pad" I mean pad my manuscript with more words...not lie about the word count. lol. Sorry...

You're fine. For romance, 45k is completely plausible. The only thing you should watch out for is that there is enough character development. The main problem with lower word counts is that there is less character/world development.

Btw, you can look up word counts (they're on the info page of each quiz) at: http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp

[shaldna]

you're fine. your right in the middle of the ya word count. so don't sweat it.

[elindsen]

Just as a note-Nathan Bransford's blog says write the best novel possible and don't worry about WC. If its solid WC won't matter.

[juliatheswede]

I agree that your word count seems fine. It's better that it's on the shorter side than longer for debut novels. Though you do say upper grade/YA. Does that mean MG or YA? Or in between? For MG lower word counts (like yours) is preferable.

[Ryan_Sullivan]

I agree that your word count seems fine. It's better that it's on the shorter side than longer for debut novels. Though you do say upper grade/YA. Does that mean MG or YA? Or in between? For MG lower word counts (like yours) is preferable.

I think she means upper YA as in for 17 and 18 year olds, etc.

[JaiSim]

If you're worried it could be too short you could always add a subtheme which will take a lot of time and editing but it will thicken your manuscript.