Word count for Historical novels

kittyhoward · Oct 23, 2010

I'm currently sitting at a little over 30K, and I have just really reached the tip of the iceburg for my novel. What's an acceptable word count for a first timer? I'm guessing it's probably 100K, but I don't think I'd be able to first all of part one into that, let alone part two as well!

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? HELP?!

cooeedownunder · Oct 23, 2010

Mine comes in at 100,000 words and it must be acceptable as I've had requests from agents. I also never felt I could tell the story in so few words and originally had an extra 50,000 words, but it is amazing how much you can actually cut during edits without losing any of the story.

At the end of the day I think it comes down to how many words you really need to tell a story. If it's 300,000 then so be it, but I'm under the impression that would probably be a hard sell to an agent or publisher from a new writer.

lkp · Oct 23, 2010

About 120K is fine for HF.

kittyhoward · Oct 23, 2010

Thanks for the feedback! I have a feeling I could probably cut it to 100K if necessary, but then it would feel too much like WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM if you know what I mean.

cooeedownunder · Oct 23, 2010

More than likely, you would have a much tighter read.

Eddyz Aquila · Oct 23, 2010

120K is the maximum allowed I guess.
100K is the perfect. 110K allows you some extra subplots if you want them in, to add depth.

kittyhoward · Oct 23, 2010

I am guessing that my two part series might have to be two separate books!

donroc · Oct 24, 2010

I cut mine from 225,000 first draft to 150,000 for publication. The sequel is about 125,000. Generally, the major agents and publishers are less than thrilled for first novels by unknowns to be longer than 100-120,000 based on my experiences over the decades. Of course exceptions do exist.

ChronicSelfEditor · Oct 25, 2010

Hooray for a sequel to Rocamora!!! I loved that book. ^_^

donroc · Oct 25, 2010

Thank you, NolaBlue.

DapperDan · Nov 6, 2010

This is discouraging... I am sure I can trim the fat from 290k words but it will be difficult to gut it by 150k words!

donroc · Nov 7, 2010

DapperDan said:
This is discouraging... I am sure I can trim the fat from 290k words but it will be difficult to gut it by 150k words!

Can you either cut it in half and make two novels from your ms, or can you eliminate subplots if there are any?

job · Nov 13, 2010

I'm going to agree with the folks who say 120K maximum for a debut writer. This is a tough market.

But you should see for yourself. Go to your local brick and mortar. Pick out books like your own. Heft them.

It goes without saying that you should write tight.
If you have too much 'story' to tell in 120K words, you might consider simplifying your plot.

If you can't simplify, then submit it at the length needed to tell the story and cross your fingers.

gothicangel · Apr 7, 2013

Zombie Thread

Okay, I'm resurrecting this thread.

The reason is that I'm on draft 2 of my WIP, and have found that the word count has now bloated to 107,000 and I'm only at the beginning of 'act three' of the novel, and intend to rewrite pretty much of it.

Draft 3 for me is when I put it through a One Pass Revision, so I imagine huge chunks will be scratched out. But, seeing as this thread is three years old, would it be wise for a debut historical novelist to submit a book of 120,000 words? Or should I aim for a tighter 100,000?

angeliz2k · Apr 7, 2013

I've been trying to wrestle my current WIP to just under 100k, but like the last five pounds when dieting, the last 2k words are the most stubborn. I was down to about 101k, then had to rewrite a chapter and ended up back at 102k. Alas.

Cristin_B · Apr 18, 2013

gothicangel said:
Okay, I'm resurrecting this thread.

The reason is that I'm on draft 2 of my WIP, and have found that the word count has now bloated to 107,000 and I'm only at the beginning of 'act three' of the novel, and intend to rewrite pretty much of it.

Draft 3 for me is when I put it through a One Pass Revision, so I imagine huge chunks will be scratched out. But, seeing as this thread is three years old, would it be wise for a debut historical novelist to submit a book of 120,000 words? Or should I aim for a tighter 100,000?

My ms is 116,000 and I'm getting requests from the query, if that helps.

Word count for Historical novels

kittyhoward

tudor nerd

cooeedownunder

Grateful for the day

lkp

kittyhoward

tudor nerd

cooeedownunder

Grateful for the day

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

kittyhoward

tudor nerd

donroc

Historicals and Horror rule

ChronicSelfEditor

F.K.A. NolaBlue

donroc

Historicals and Horror rule

DapperDan

donroc

Historicals and Horror rule

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

gothicangel

Toughen up.

angeliz2k

never mind the shorty

Cristin_B