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I recently subbed my novel to Robert Hale Publishers. They asked for a full ms which I took up to their offices. They turned it down. When I went to collect the ms a very nice guy told me that it had been turned down more due to the length than the content. He said their preferred length was 70,000 words, despite the fact that their website says they prefer novels between 80,000 - 110,000.
I e-mailed and asked whether they would reconsider if I cut it to 70,000 words. He confirmed that that was their prefered length but they felt that cutting it that much would take the heart out of the story.
I thought I could cut some of the back-story but it's the back-story that makes the character do what she does. I now realise he was right.
I am thinking of putting it on Kindle as an e-book. Is there a preferred length for e-books on Kindle? What do other writers think? Should I cut it or leave it as it is. Its 96,000 words. I can reasonably cut it to 90,000 but any more would, as the man said, take the heart out of the story.
Comments
It may be that when it's edited you'll find you can reduce it it bit more.
Yes Liz. I've had five full ms requests, all turned down due to 'current market conditions'. The first Agent said things happened too quickly and she'd like more description. I've re-written according to her comments which is why I now have the problem of extra length. I have a feeling that 'current market conditions' may mean they want shorter novels.
Very appreciative of all you comments.
I'm afraid it's a kind way of saying they've heaps of submissions and have to be very selective in what they choose. Think about it. An agent is in there to earn commission on what he/she can 'sell' to a publisher. So he's got to be convinced of its merit otherwise he''ll be wasting his time and not earn any money. So agents, with so much to choose from, can be - and are - very picky. Just keep sending the script out. I contacted 11 before hooking one.
"Its 96,000 words."
"I e-mailed and asked whether they would reconsider if I cut it to 70,000 words."
"I can reasonably cut it to 90,000"
I don't mean to pick or come across like a mean person, but I'm curious. How can you write 96,000 words on a novel and then think that you may be able to cut out 26,000 words just like that? How can you even think you can chop out 6k on a whim?
In my opinion, if you think you can cut them out to get a sale or hit a lower word count target then they might as well already be removed.
Cut it back as hard as you can without ruining it. Keep the essence of the story, make sure it flows and remove as much unnecessary content as you feel you can.
I'd expect being asked to remove 6k words shouldn't feel at all easy. 10k (about 10%) should be a real challenge, but doable (with some cursing). And only then if you've been given some pretty good offers. Back to the point I made earlier, if you can easily consider cutting 6k or more words, then they shouldn't be there.
Otherwise, I'm annoyed for you that the publisher seems to have moved the goal post. Writing to one limit and then being given a drastically different one after you're done must be heartbreaking.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do with your work, but stick to your guns and try offering it around elsewhere when you're happy with the final length.
Also echo his commiserations to you, Casey - publishers moving goal posts is infuriating.
Good luck Casey, I hope it goes well for you! Make sure to drop in as soon as you start getting sales and share the good news
Thanks to everyone for their support.
I really feel for you about Robert Hale. If they want books at 70, 000 words, they really should say that. It's tough enough for authors without publishers saying one thing and meaning another.
I hope this is helpful.