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Word count minimums for new authors - how much will you add?
DavidABossie
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2012 10:38 AM
Joined: 11/29/2012
Posts: 11


During my initial research on finding an agent/publishing a novel, I've found that publishers want mysteries by new, unpublished authors to be between 80K and 100K words.  This causes a problem for me: I have 70K words and don't know how to add more without making the story seem like I am just 'adding more.'

How do you come up with an extra 5K or 10K words to satisfy a publisher's need?  Or should we?
DG Downer
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2012 1:21 AM
Joined: 11/11/2012
Posts: 13


Hey David, it is an interesting question. Does your story have another 5 or 10 thousand words? Do you feel like it has a beginning, middle, and end? Have you told the story that you want to tell?

If you find an agent or publisher that says they want another 5 or 10 thousand words, then you write them. Simple as that.

If you have gone 70k words, then another 5k  or so shouldn't be that hard. It is 1 / 15th (or so) of your work. You can add another 5k in one sitting. It is just a matter of doing it.