This is actually for a competition but this seems like the best place for the question since it might also be relevant for publisher submission guidelines.
If submission guidelines are for the first 5,000 words - how close to that should I be? I'm aware I shouldn't cut it off mid sentence but (for example) is 4,900 ok if that finishes at a good point such as the end of a scene or a dramatic moment? I'm looking for a sense of the leeway on 5,000. For essays at uni it always used to be +/- 10% but that seems rather a lot!
I'm actually at 4,977 for a good stopping point at the moment which is probably close enough but I'm about to edit it again and who knows where it'll be when I'm done.
If submission guidelines are for the first 5,000 words - how close to that should I be? I'm aware I shouldn't cut it off mid sentence but (for example) is 4,900 ok if that finishes at a good point such as the end of a scene or a dramatic moment? I'm looking for a sense of the leeway on 5,000. For essays at uni it always used to be +/- 10% but that seems rather a lot!
I'm actually at 4,977 for a good stopping point at the moment which is probably close enough but I'm about to edit it again and who knows where it'll be when I'm done.
