How long should a Western be?

[texas_girl]

Right now I'm working on my first ever western. I was just curious as to how long it should be. I've seen quite a range. Some Louis L'amour books are less than 200 pages and some are over 400. So what do y'all think would be the most appropriate length for an entry western novel? Thanks.

[CACTUSWENDY]

IMHO :evil
Write the complete story first...then worry about how long it should be. You will no doubt have to tighten it up. Your story has to be long enough to tell a good story. I know this sounds like a cop out, but that's the way it is. That's why some are 200 pages and some are 400 pages. :D Never worry about it while you are doing the first draft. You might do 250 pages and find out your story has holes and needs more.

[texas_girl]

Thanks! I guess I should be more worried about telling the story than being fixated on a number. That's good advice.

[dpaterso]

Depends what you're writing, a great Western novel, or one in a series of thin paperbacks with numbers on the spine! The former, 90K words or more. The latter, around 60K words, perhaps.

-Derek

[veinglory]

If you will be seeking publication you might want to check out the requirements of your potential publishers.

[texas_girl]

That's a very good point dpaterso! The thing is I can't decide whether this will be stand-alone novel or have prequels, sequels or spin-offs.

Thank you Veinglory for the advice. I just checked a potential publisher and they said 60,000 to 80,000 words for a western. I think I found my ballpark.

[Puma]

But don't be surprised if when you finish telling your story and it's too long, betas also tell you there are things you missed and need to add. I went from 120K down to 105K on my edits, had betas and went up to 140K and have now finally pared my story back down to about 100K. There's a lot of work to be done after the first draft is finished - always. Puma

[Western Writer]

Howdy Texas Girl.

I agree with veinglory. I think a lot depends on the publisher. Avalon, for instance, who published my three Westerns, wanted the word count of each to be between 60,000-70,000. Another publisher that my agent has been querying is asking for a minimum of 80,000. Personally, outside of "Lonesome Dove", I like my Westerns to be short and lean - to the point without needless padding.

[Dave Hardy]

Howdy Texas Girl.

Personally, outside of "Lonesome Dove", I like my Westerns to be short and lean - to the point without needless padding.

Amen, & the same for fantasy, SF & thrillers. It seems publishing has been inflating for some time.

I'm toiling on a 60,000 word novel. That's about what I like to write & read. No idea if it is (as Veinglory points out), what publishers like to publish.

[thothguard51]

Write the book as a stand alone and if it sells, you can always bring in sequels...