Does anyone know the approximate number of words required for a detective novel?

Woll22

Does anyone know the approximate number of words for a detective novel? I have tried to find out but no answer has been the reply. Not much help

heather

For new novelists in general the advice seems to be 80,000 - 120,000.
I don't suppose detective novels are much different.

Mrs Bear

As Heather says, but you could try asking the Crime Writers Association (www.thecwa.co.uk).

Stirling

[quote=heather]For new novelists in general the advice seems to be 80,000 - 120,000.[/quote]

I would actually say 80,000 - 100,000.

120,000 would make an editor blanche. Only Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Historical are able to stretch that far.

pbw

[quote=Stirling]Only Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Historical are able to stretch that far. [/quote]

And as a Sci-Fi writer I can say that I have been advised to keep to the 100,000 limit. :)

lexia

Fascinating ! First time I've ever thought that there would be a difference in number of words for a detective/historical/sci-fi etc novel !
Think I'll stick with the flash fiction and short stories for next year :)

Marc.B

The prostrate body still held the smoking pistol, no one but the DI was present.
'This wasn't murder,' Inspector Penny Black said, 'it was suicide!'

Who says you need 100k words?