Ok, so after about a month, I finally managed to edit my book down. When I first started, I was at 220,000 words and over six hundred words (yikes!) I tried condensing it down as much as possible, using the least amount of words while still making sure I got my point across.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I managed to get it down to about 170,000 words and 440 pages. I know this is probably still too long for a novel, but considering what it was I think I did pretty well.

Problem is that I think I've edited as much as I can now. I feel I can't edit it anymore without leaving huge gaps in the story. What I have done though is written it using the least amount of words, so the story flows well and you can read it fairly quickly but enjoy it (like a comic). However, do I need to put that across when trying to submit it? I'm just worried a publisher might see the word count and think "Bloody hell!". Is there anything I could put in my query to soften the blow a little?

However, do I need to put that across when trying to submit it? I'm just worried a publisher might see the word count and think "Bloody hell!". Is there anything I could put in my query to soften the blow a little?

Although it is on the high side, recalling previous WW, and Agents' blog, replies to such a question, no, 170K is not a hanging offence a far as submissions are concerned. Ultimately, the agent's decision will rest on what they think of your first 3 chapters.


- NaomiM

Cool. That's one load of my mind anyway. Now to start work on my query. Fun times.

Good luck. I always think story wins out out word count, or should do. It's all a myth pressed upon newbie writers, I think. There are tons of novels, debut and otherwise, well over the one-size-fits-all 100,000 words!

JB

<Added>

*over word count!

Thanks for that. Now the hard part. Getting my query together. I got two ideas for some, but don't know which one I should work on. If I posted them up, which would be the best forum I could get advice from?

You need to be working on a covering letter and brief synopsis rather than a query really (unless you subbing to the US market). There's a synopsis and outline group which should prove helpful.