wondering about trilogy vs single large novel

Well, I'm relatively new here and have lurked as well as posted a bit in the poetry section all the while picking up a lot of valuable information. I'm in the same boat with those in which honking large stories just seems to have happened. I've analyzed and rethought several tracks I can pursue, all upon reading the info contained by this board's good members.

So, the details are this; first time novel, very large word count @ 342K,
a storyline that really has no branches for me to consider cutting, and a plethora of entrenched poetry upon which the story is hinged. So, let's see, seems I have three strikes against me already from what I perceive is the majority opinion after searching the archives of AW. Despite that, I'm going to take a stab at this opportunity nonetheless; I figure I'll not really know anything until I try and that's what I'm going to do.

So this is the question and I suppose I can already guess the outcome, but the choice and preference poll suggested itself; which, if you had a choice, would you rather read--a trilogy of 300 page books or one large tome?

I already know the advice is for me to A)condense to <150K (which I can't possible see doing because it would mean cutting 2/3 of what I have) or B) split the story into parts. I can see natural break points at almost an even 110K and so, a trilogy could be attempted.

I'm asking for this reason and I'll use LoTR as my example; growing up and having read that series, I had 3 books (and I might add, most of what I read then was nearer 200-250 pages in the sci-fi fantasy genre, so this was a long book/series on many levels esp then) to read. Later, as my own kids grew to an appreciative age, I bought LoTR in a single, large form. I read it to them and in truth, if I had my choice again, would prefer the one large tome. Of course I'm thinking that what I've written is much better 'seen/read' as a single unit but realize from the many pieces of advice here, that I'll probably never see the light of published day if I keep it in its present length. Doesn't mean I still don't think it a better idea to NOT separate but I'm trying to loosen my preconceived thoughts from more practical ones.

So, of those series that are true series and not just continuations of a popular storyline, in which form would you prefer to 'read/buy' said series?


Below, the particulars of what I've written;

This ms I've conceived and finished is a cross between historical romance and fantasy, with the bulk centering on historical romance but the fantastical element being the critical underpinning upon which the storyline revolves. A lot of the words and white space generated by the large number of pages is due to the poetry and quite a bit of dialog, each of which I feel pulls and does not slow the reader, making those moments less of a deterrent. I have read that epic historical pieces often go longer than 120K, but what I've read here is that I've eclipsed even that courtesy.

As a followup question, I have received preliminary quotes for 'printing only' and I can easily get this entire story to be printed and bound (paperback, 6x9, perfect bind, 1000 copies) for less than $10 per piece and I expect I could get it lower with a much higher order. With this number in my mind, I'm thinking the cost to print one book vs 3 would not be such a deterrent. The price of three novels could come in at under $25 and a single version could be$20 or so and (I'm assuming) there is still plenty of profit for the publisher. I guess this all comes down to whether a reader/buyer is going to also pass by one large 1000+ page book and instead, take a chance on the $8.99 paperback which might be one of three in a series. Is this the current thought?

Thank you for any and all opinions and further discussion. I've enjoyed reading the threads and participating here. I look forward to doing more of this.

Michael

thank you to everyone

First, I'd like to thank everyone for their time and effort to respond. I've done a lot of reading at AW and I expected much of what you are all saying--and still repect you for taking the time to repeat the info.

It would be pretty hard to get under my skin with seemingly negative response but since I pretty much 'grew up' at one of the nastiest poetry sites out there, I learned to don the thick skin long ago or die in the effort trying to get critiques. So, I understand and take the pertinent info from anyone's response to me. It's always a 'take or toss' with any opinion and I know this.

Most likely, I am bloated with extra words because I do aim to be long-winded. The part that makes me cringe is that I'd need to get this into 1/3 its original form and so, I can only see this as gutting to the extreme and I can honestly say (as I'm sure any author could) that what is being asked re cutting is some of the very same which makes up the character of this storyline. I was taught to be 'unique' and have a delivery which commands attention, not one which will be seen as 'just another to throw on the heap'. In applying this philosophy to prose, much of this has happened. I truly don't have any branches because this whole episode is based on a real story albeit I couched the scenes in history. Sure, I'm close to this--probably too close--but within this lies the 'truths' (as I see it) that make up the integrity of this piece. Cutting dilutes and leaves the mc as just another pinball in the machine, imo.

But that is just the situation I have and I'll take all the advice you've offered to heart. I do have two beta readers, one a more ordinary 'reader' and one who has an eye toward being critical and this helps. I'm getting similar perceptions so far and though there is some thought to 'being too long', nothing that is telling me this storyline is something which would be just as palatable within a 300 page limit. So, I guess the 'write another, get published, negotiate for the monster-novel' advice might be my only avenue.

Btw, I only brought up the printing prices because I wanted to 'eliminate' the idea that maybe this long of a novel would generate no profits. I think I'm down to 'new author/risk potential' and 'a reading audience which doesn't suffer such a long read enough to buy' mentalities.

Many have not really answered the 'poll', though; which would you rather read; 1000+ single unit or 3 smaller separates?

Thanks very much, once again; the air of helpfulness that exists at AW is really nice to experience.

Michael

wordy? who, me?

What, me? Too wordy? Nawww, how could you possibly even THINK that!


And I do understand this because poetry is built on a paucity of words. I say this with a caveat; I HAVE taken long poems and stripped them down to their nuts and bolts (yes, even some of MINE!) and for those that do not understand the 'nuts and bolts', the effect was well received. For some though, the 'tone' and ambiance was reduced beneath the level of 'action' and I felt the piece lacked--big time! So, I think (maybe it's just my taste in what I like to read/write) that the minimalist style is not something which can usually fill or gratify the reader who is looking for plot/character depth. I guess I'm one of those; I don't think life is 'tight' and so, when I read I want that laxness without it deviating so far that the author forgot the main point of the story. I've often railed on and on about this 'MTV world' we seem to live in; we want our entertainment quick and lush, more emphasis placed on pace and less on developing less than vertical attributes. It may be that I can't reach this 'modern audience' with such a philosophy...I guess I'll just have to throw something out there and see what actually sticks, hey?

Lessee; now how exactly did I start this 'reply'??? Too long-winded? I beg to differ...er, err!