JP Wagner

Yah, just cuz I remember the animorph series, (a teen sci fi series) that had more than 64 books in it. Each book couldn't have been more than 20-30 thousand words considering it was 4.25 by 6.75 size 12 font and only about 200 pages each.

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mammamaia

the bottom line here is that if unknown new writers want to MAXimize the chances of selling their work, they'll write what is MOST likely to sell and not what only RARELY sells... can you see the sense in that?

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JP Wagner

Of course I can understand that mammamia!! ^.^ And I take all the advice that you and Mike C have given me to heart. I've started expanding a 70,200 word manuscript I have already to try to reach the 80 thousand word mark based on what you said.

It just seems like there are quite often exceptions to the rules is all. And it seems like you guys almost totally cut the chances of those exceptions out sometime. Its just, most people become writers because they think outside of the box no? Whats the sense of thinking outside of the box if you have to go right back into it? Shouldn't there be outside the box exceptions too? Especially in a world where thinking outside the box is what makes a good story? Heh, I totally understand what your saying about going with what sells and it does make perfect resonable sense. But I think Mike C's saying "stop writing novellas" is a bit....narrow, (no offense!!) because I am not going to stop writing anything just because theres a chance it won't sell. Heheh, if anything, the best way to do it would be have a manuscript within those guidelines ready like you said, and make it the best I can make it, and then ready another manuscript that might be shorter, submit them both and see what happens. This way if the shorter gets rejected I sitll have something to work with, and if it doesn't get rejected, then it means I got the lucky exception. Then theres the off chance both could be rejected anyway which is why I say the more writing done the merrier. Heh, I just don't ever like to close myself off to options because they are rare.

Does that make sense also?

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rocky

On the right novel length...hmm..to be honest I believe it depends on the writing. If a person's book is exceptionally good but is less than 60 000 words but more than 40 000 words, I believe it still can be published even if it comes from a new writer. But this works more in the so called "literary" genre, where many Booker Prize winning novel sas well as Pulitzer prize winning novels are less than 70 000 words. For example John Banville's 2005 Booker prize winning novel was around 65 000 words. Quality is always better than quantity. But it depends highly on the genre in which one targets.

JP Wagner--19 years old you say? Well to be 100% honest I believe you have just as much chance as anyone else to get a novel published. However, your quality must be publishable, but it's not impossible. When I was 19 I won the Scholastic Arts and Writing Portfolio award and had something to say in my query to an agent. I recommend you enter a few competitions and get a few short stories published, so you will have something to say. Keep it up!!

rocky

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JP Wagner

lol thats good to know.

And thanks for the advice rocky, I already have alot of Poetry published in antholgies, and a Poetry Collection through my poetry group. I am in the process of trying to get short stories published having sent out a few recently. I was published in my college mazaing, but that don't count for much. Heh. But definatly going with your suggestion. Thanks for the help. ^.^

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