| Re: Question of Pages
I think 100K is fine whether it's a standalone or a series novel. (They can always use larger print if they want it to look more substantial.) Any shorter than that would be going against the trend -- not fatal, but disadvantageous.
The real problem, I believe, is when a book is longer than a publisher is likely to publish, but too short to cut in half.
Giovanna's 190,000 words was tricky that way, particularly if the best dividing point (had the decision been made to turn one book into two) had resulted in one book of 100K and one of 80K. But she's found a much better solution. Very often there is such a solution, but it takes a fearless honesty to look for it and find it. I respect Giovanna's ability to do that. |