Quick word count question.

lemonhead · Jun 25, 2010

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 · Jun 25, 2010

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

kaitiepaige17 · Jun 25, 2010

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 · Jun 25, 2010

lemonhead said:
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 · Jun 26, 2010

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

elindsen · Jun 26, 2010

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 · Jun 28, 2010

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 · Jun 28, 2010

juliatheswede said:
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 · Jul 4, 2010

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.

Quick word count question.

lemonhead

Life isn't all beer and skittles.

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

kaitiepaige17

Inappropriate smiley INCOMINGGGGGG!

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

elindsen

Zombie lovin'

juliatheswede

Got the hang of it, here

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

JaiSim