requesting an insider answer please: question on word counts

[Beast]

I have been on a few different boards with this question so thought I would also post here and hopefully an agent/publisher or someone otherwise in the absolute "know" can answer me.

My fantasy WIP is coming in at 162,000 words. This is my quandary: a few years ago, if I got this book down to, say, between 120,000-130,000 words that would have been sufficient for an agent to look at it - in the U.S. Now because of the market and economy, I'm told I'll have to cut further into it, to get it down to 100K max for the U.S. market to look at it. Pretty much gut it.

Now, in the UK, I understand, fantasy word counts are much more generous - so 120-130K would not be grounds for shooting my manuscript down the trash bin. A U.K. agent, I'm told, would be much more forgiving on the word count than one in the U.S.

Let me just say: I do plan to cut and revise and edit and rearrange to fine-tune this book - so I could very well end up with a manuscript of between 120-130K.

But can anyone out there answer this for me: Is 120-130K a manageable size for fantasy in this economy or just for the U.K.?

[ctg]

If you're answer on the length came from a legitimate source, then you should take it as an advice rather than a hint. John has said many times that debut fantasy novels are between hundred thirty and hundred seventy thousand words. Longer ones end in a bin because the publishers doesn't think that a new writer in the scene cannot full fill their demands before the deadline hit them like a baseball bat on the forehead.

So, if you manage to cut it down to hundred thirty thousand mark, then it should be absolutely fine. BUT if you are happy with your longer piece, then stick with your guns and don't give up. Who knows if there are somebody out there who thinks your MS is absolutely brilliant. However, if my suspicions are correct then in current economic climate the publishers aren't actually looking for new writers but rather stick with what they got at the moment.

[gary compton]

I dont think the credit crunch will stop people having their little luxuries, like having the odd pint of the amber nectar or buying a book.

So hopefully publishing won't be affected too much CTG.

We'll have to wait and see but I cant see a publisher turning down the opportunity of a blockbuster when it lands on his desk, so let's keep preying