Comments on: how long does a book have to be? http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/ by Cynthea Liu Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:08:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Harry http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-74447 Harry Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:07:29 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-74447 Thanks for the great comments! Thanks for the great comments!

]]> By: Ken Chandler http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-68761 Ken Chandler Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:46:52 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-68761 Cynthia, How many printed pages long is a middle grade novel with 45,000 words (roughly). How many words fit on a single page of a printed novel? Thanks, Ken Cynthia,

How many printed pages long is a middle grade novel with 45,000 words (roughly).
How many words fit on a single page of a printed novel?

Thanks,
Ken

]]> By: Debbie Riley http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-65405 Debbie Riley Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:09:48 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-65405 Hi Cynthea, I've just discovered your website and it's great! I would love some advice from you regarding the whole word count/age placement issue. I've just written a rhyming story which I've aimed at 5-7 year olds (I hope). I would love it to be fully illustrated, but could cope with partially. My worry is that it is 1,900 words, and I can't lose more than 100 of them, and even that would be painful. My worry is that this wont fit in any of the boxes it would need to for publishing. Can you advise (or reassure!) me at all on this? Thank you! Debbie Hi Cynthea, I’ve just discovered your website and it’s great!

I would love some advice from you regarding the whole word count/age placement issue.

I’ve just written a rhyming story which I’ve aimed at 5-7 year olds (I hope).

I would love it to be fully illustrated, but could cope with partially. My worry is that it is 1,900 words, and I can’t lose more than 100 of them, and even that would be painful.

My worry is that this wont fit in any of the boxes it would need to for publishing. Can you advise (or reassure!) me at all on this?

Thank you!
Debbie

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-65086 Cynthea Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:13:16 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-65086 Hi Sonya, you'll find princess stories in picture books all the way through teen novels. So it really depends on the age of the main character of the book and if that character is operating within a plot that is suitable for a specific format (Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, YA and so on...) Based on the info you gave me, it's totally possible to have a chapter book princess story aimed at 7-9 year-old girls that is 8500 words long. Particularly if the main character's age is 9 or 10. Hi Sonya, you’ll find princess stories in picture books all the way through teen novels. So it really depends on the age of the main character of the book and if that character is operating within a plot that is suitable for a specific format (Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, YA and so on…) Based on the info you gave me, it’s totally possible to have a chapter book princess story aimed at 7-9 year-old girls that is 8500 words long. Particularly if the main character’s age is 9 or 10.

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-64426 Cynthea Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:53:04 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-64426 You're welcome! You’re welcome!

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-64425 Cynthea Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:50:11 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-64425 You're welcome. Keep in mind - word count is not the only determinant of genre/format. You must also consider content, complexity of plot, and age of the MC as well. You’re welcome. Keep in mind – word count is not the only determinant of genre/format. You must also consider content, complexity of plot, and age of the MC as well.

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-64424 Cynthea Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:48:56 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-64424 The length varies significantly. But for the younger chapter book, if I had to take a guess - anywhere from a couple of thousand words to 5,000 words. The length varies significantly. But for the younger chapter book, if I had to take a guess – anywhere from a couple of thousand words to 5,000 words.

]]> By: sonya http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-64363 sonya Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:30:49 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-64363 Hi, I really like your website, I have recently found it and have been following it a lot. I am curious about which age group of girls are interested in princess stories, I have stories aimed at 7-9 year girls and it is a chapter book( 8500) words. Can you guide me if the word count is alright for that age group and for their tastes. Thanks Hi, I really like your website, I have recently found it and have been following it a lot.

I am curious about which age group of girls are interested in princess stories, I have stories aimed at 7-9 year girls and it is a chapter book( 8500) words.

Can you guide me if the word count is alright for that age group and for their tastes.

Thanks

]]> By: Jan Millehan m http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-63520 Jan Millehan m Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:38:18 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-63520 Thanks! This is really good information. Thanks! This is really good information.

]]> By: cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/writing-basics/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-63507 cynthea Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:32:47 +0000 http://cynthealiu.com/?p=22#comment-63507 Hi Fiona, Check out the synopsis article on this website. For Picture Books, a standard synopsis really isn't necessary, Instead, read the article on creating aquery letter and how to summarize your picture book in an enticing way. For longer works, you need to be detailed enough so that the reader understands where the story takes place, who the main characters are, the major sub-characters. You should also identify the primary plot and the secondary plots. Theme should be somewhat obvious from the synopsis, however if it's not clear, it should be worked into the synopsis. See the article on Synopsis writing for more info. Thanks! Cynthea Hi Fiona,

Check out the synopsis article on this website.

For Picture Books, a standard synopsis really isn’t necessary, Instead, read the article on creating aquery letter and how to summarize your picture book in an enticing way.

For longer works, you need to be detailed enough so that the reader understands where the story takes place, who the main characters are, the major sub-characters. You should also identify the primary plot and the secondary plots. Theme should be somewhat obvious from the synopsis, however if it’s not clear, it should be worked into the synopsis. See the article on Synopsis writing for more info. Thanks!

Cynthea

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