Word count?

[starrykitten]

I'm working on my first book about witchcraft. My previous experience is in fiction and poetry, so I don't know anything about typical word counts for books in the area of Wicca, divination, etc.

Anybody know the rough minimum or maximum?

Thanks!

--sk

[raven grimassi]

I'm working on my first book about witchcraft. My previous experience is in fiction and poetry, so I don't know anything about typical word counts for books in the area of Wicca, divination, etc.

Anybody know the rough minimum or maximum?

This may vary from publisher to publisher. The word counts for my books range from 32,474 to 866,910 (the last figure being my encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft, which is a large volume). My average book runs somewhere around 60,000 words.

[starrykitten]

Thanks!

[LordFoxglove]

As Raven stated, it will vary from publisher to publisher, and from my experience the publisher will usually set a word range (between 50,000 and 60,000 words for example) if you're pitching a proposal. If you submit a completed manuscript and are offered a contract it will be edited (no matter what), and you will have to accept some trimming if the publisher thinks its too long or write more material if they feel its too short.

One of the biggest mistakes new (and even some seasoned) authors make is to write "filler" simply to beef-up the length of a book. Filler content will be ferreted out by any book reviewer worth his or her salts and you will be criticized for it. Resist the temptation to write filler. Write only what is relevant and important to the manuscript.

Gl!

Marcus

[mrsellars]

And NEVER EVER under ANY circumstances should you include a chapter about Rhesus Monkeys. While it is true that they cheat at poker and everyone should be warned, it is an absolute taboo to write about them.

Unless they are wearing funny hats. Then it is okay.

:)

Murv aka That M. R. Sellars guy

[LordFoxglove]

And NEVER EVER under ANY circumstances should you include a chapter about Rhesus Monkeys.

I agree with you M.R., but it isnt taboo to demand a monkey or two in your contract negotiations with the publsiher, as witnessed by the following list that I provided to my agent. Under no circumstances will I sigh a publishing contract that doesn't agree to provide me with the following:

Publishing Contract Demands: Marcus (Foxglove) Griffin

1. A really, really, really, really, really cool book cover.
2. Jessica Biel and a tequila soaked sponge.
3. The first two seasons of Ghostwhisperer on DVD, en Espanola with Japanese subtitles.
4. A box of crayons (you know, a BIG box, the one that has the colors salmon and taupe).
5. Steve Jobs personal iPhone and a three-year subscription to Cingular Wireless.
6. Simon Cowell’s spot on American Idol.
7. A spider monkey that’s been trained to infiltrate the Amish.

:hehehehe:

[Gwinevere_Rain]

Each of my three books were different lengths. It depends on the topic, essentially AND the age group. Spellcraft for Teens was for a younger group so it went about 120 pages, but Confessions was for older teens & twenty year olds so it much higher.

Focus on what you want to say, making your chapters clear and easy to follow, then worry about the word count later. Each publishing house is different some press for a specific word count while others highlight content.