Guest Post

HAVE A BOOK TO PROMOTE? Lyrical Pens welcomes guest posts. Answer a questionnaire or create your own post. FYI, up front: This site is a definite PG-13. For details, contact cjpetterson@gmail.com cj

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Word counts and “rules” for newbie writers

cj Sez: Wanted, Readers and Writers in the Mobile, AL area. Come on down to the 2018 Mobile Literary Festival on March 3 at the Ben May Main Library. I’d love to see you there.

    Back in 2012, Writers Digest contributor Chuck Sambuchino wrote: Word Count for Novels and Children’s Books: The Definitive Post. I’ve excerpted his informative post below because I think he offers “good rules of thumb” for writers to use as a guide. (I did a Google search for genre word count, and found Internet sites in 2017 that still reference Mr. Sambuchino’s info.)

“Word count for novels and books is something I don’t think about too often until I travel to a writers’ conference, and then someone asks a simple, innocent question: “How long should a book be?” With that in mind, I’ve tried to put together the definitive post on word count for fiction (novels, young adult, middle grade, children’s books and even memoir).

The most important thing here is to realize that there are always exceptions to these rules. However, aiming to be the exception is setting yourself up for disappointment. What writers fail to see is that for every successful exception to the rule (e.g., a first-time 175,000-word novel), there are at least 100 failures if not 300.

“But what about J.K. Rowling???” asks that man in the back of the room, putting his palms up the air. Well—remember the first Harry Potter book?  It wasn’t that long. After JK made the publishing house oodles and oodles of money, she could do whatever she wanted.  And since most writers haven’t earned oodles, they need to stick to the rules and make sure they work gets read. The other thing that will make you an exception is if your writing is absolutely brilliant. But let’s face it. Most of our work does not classify as “absolutely brilliant” or we’d all have 16 novels at this point.

ADULT NOVELS: COMMERCIAL & LITERARY
Between 80,000 and 89,999 words is a good range you should be aiming for. This is a 100% safe range for literary, mainstream, women’s, romance, mystery, suspense, thriller and horror. Anything in this word count won’t scare off any agent anywhere. Now, speaking broadly, you can have as few as 71,000 words and as many as 109,000 words. That is the total range. When it dips below 80K, it might be perceived as too short—not giving the reader enough. It seems as though going over 100K is all right, but not by much. In short:
80,000 – 89,999:       Totally cool
90,000 – 99,999:       Generally safe
70,000 – 79,999:       Might be too short; probably all right
100,000 – 109,999:    Might be too long; probably all right
Below 70,000:           Too short
110,000 or above       Too long
Chick lit falls into this realm, but chick lit books tend to be a bit shorter and faster. 70-75K is not bad at all.

SCI-FI AND FANTASY
Science fiction and fantasy are the big exceptions because these categories tend to run long. It has to do with all the descriptions and world-building in the writing.

With these genres, I would say 100,000 – 115,000 is an excellent range. 
Writers tend to know that these categories run long so they make them run really long and hurt their chances. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it short (say, 105K) in these areas. It shows that you can whittle your work down.

MIDDLE GRADE
Middle grade is from 20,000 – 55,000, depending on the subject matter and age range, and the word count of these books has been trending up in recent years. When writing a longer book that is aimed at 12-year-olds (and could maybe be considered “tween”), using the term “upper middle grade” is advisable. With upper middle grade, you can aim for 40,000 – 55,000 words.

YOUNG ADULT
Perhaps more than any other, YA is the one category where word count is very flexible. For starters, 55,000 – 69,999 is a great range. 

The word round the agent blogosphere is that these books tend to be trending longer, saying that you can top in the 80Ks. When it gets into the 80s, you may be all right—but you have to have a reason for going that high. Again, higher word counts usually mean that the writer does not know how to edit themselves. A good reason to have a longer YA novel that tops out at the high end of the scale is if it’s science fiction or fantasy. Once again, these categories are expected to be a little longer because of the world-building.

PICTURE BOOKS
The standard is text for 32 pages. That might mean one line per page, or more. 500-600 words is a good number to aim for.

WESTERNS
There wasn’t a whole about this on agent and editor sites, but from what I found, these can be anywhere from 50K to 80K. 65,000 is a solid number to aim for.

MEMOIR
Memoir is the same as a novel and that means you’re aiming for 80,000-89,999. However, keep in mind when we talked about how people don’t know how to edit their work. This is specially true in memoir, I’ve found, because people tend to write everything about their life—because it all really happened. Coming in a bit low (70-79K) is not a terrible thing, as it shows you know how to focus on the most interesting parts of your life and avoid a Bill-Clinton-esque tome-length book.”

And cj Sez: Before you submit to an agency, be sure to check the agency’s website for their specific requirements. Okay, you-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

Is your word count in the ballpark for the genre you’re writing?

And now, from my sponsors: 
PIECES ANTHOLOGYA collection of short stories and poems written by more than 20 authors from the Gulf Coast of Alabama, including USA TODAY best-selling authors Carolyn Haines and Craig A. Price Jr. and, hand waving frantically, me, cj petterson. The collection is available at http://amzn.to/2BTiqt5

Qrtly newsletter sign-up at cjpetterson@gmail.com

Sunday, February 18, 2018

BOOK REVIEW of Rosanne Bittner's PARADISE VALLEY


cj Sez: Paradise Valley by USAToday best-selling author Rosanne Bittner is not a new release but one that I happened across while doing research for my Western work-in-progress.

The novel is historical fictiona Western romance about Maggie McPhee Tucker and Sage Lightfoot. Violated, battered, and widowed while on her way to Oregon, Maggie is determined to exact vengeance for her husband’s murder. Sage lets her tag along with him even though he has his doubts, but Maggie holds her own and then some in untamed Wyoming in the mid 1880s.

Ms. Bittner knows her historical facts but didn’t beat the reader over the head with them. I particularly enjoyed that the fast pace and conflict were not interrupted by the historical detail dumps that some writers in this genre pack into one complex sentence.

I’m not into sappy romance stories with bleeding hearts, and Paradise Valley is none of that. It’s tightly written, gritty, and tough, as I would expect the Wild West to be. If you like strong women and men who will do what it takes to do more than just survive, you’ll like this novel. I give it 4.5 Stars.

***
Calling all mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime writers. Sisters-in-Crime is an international organization of several hundred authors able and willing to encourage and applaud your work. And they do not hesitate to share their expertise.

The next time you’re on Facebook, drop by their page and see what’s happening.


*** 
In case you didn’t read Lyrical Pens last week (and why not?), here’s a reminder of an upcoming one-day reader and writer eventThe 2018 Mobile Literary Festival:

Discover book marketing and publicity
Every author, no matter the publishing method, is responsible for marketing and publicity. But, why go it alone? The Book Marketing: What Works! panel discussion brings together Emily Chambers Blejwas, Angela QuarlesFrank Kelso, and Lee Ann Ward to reveal their marketing success stories, challenges, and pitfalls experienced along their way to becoming not only authors, but sellers! See you at this and other programs at the Mobile Literary Festival on March 3, 2018 at the Ben May Main Library.
*** 

cj Sez: That’s it for this post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.
Now a word from my sponsors…

PIECES ANTHOLOGY…The Mobile Writers Guild’s collection of short stories and poems by more than 20 authors from the Gulf Coast of Alabama, including USAToday best-selling authors Carolyn Haines and Craig A. Price Jr. Available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/2BTiqt5

PS: (I’m one of the more than 20 authors, too.)

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
Choosing Carter  -- Kindle  /  Nook  /  Kobo   /  iTunes/iBook
Deadly Star --  Kindle  / Nook  / Kobo
California Kisses—10 book publisher’s bundle @ 99 cents (includes Deadly Star)
The Great Outdoors  8 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)
Bodies in Motion — 10 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)


Sunday, February 11, 2018

2018 Mobile Literary Festival

cj Sez: Wanted, Readers and Writers. The 2018 Mobile Literary Festival kicks off on March 3 at the Ben May Main Library, and if you’re in the Mobile area, we’d love to see you there.

Excerpts from press releases:

How do you begin? Where do you go from there? How do you get from brilliant idea to “I hate every word,” to published novel? The Emerging Writers’ Workshop will explore story creation, world building, and character development methods, including Michael Hague’s Six-Point Plot Structure, story mapping, free writing, and spider diagrams. The workshop features Emily BlejwasCarrie Dalby CoxAngela Quarles, and Joyce Scarbrough, and participants will be given the chance to discuss their own story ideas with these distinguished authors.

And for you fans of Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, magical realism, or the supernatural: Transport, beam, or ride your broomstick over to the Ben May Main Library for a Speculative Fiction discussion panel featuring authors Craig Price, Jr., Meleesa Swann, Steven Moore, and Lee Ann Ward. Readers and writers will go behind the curtain of their favorite genres. Following Speculative Fiction, audience members can explore the genres of Women’s Lit, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Poetry, and Hybrid Fiction. 

Find more updates and the day’s schedule on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/

I’ll be there as well, so be sure to stop by and say “Hi.”

PIECES ANTHOLOGY…The Mobile Writers Guild has published a collection of short stories and poems by more than 20 authors from the Gulf Coast of Alabama, including USA TODAY best-selling authors Carolyn Haines and Craig A. Price Jr.

Other authors featured in the anthology include: Candice Conner, Joyce Scarbrough, Lady Lester, Frances Roberts, Ron Polizzi, Mavis M. Jarrell, Dee Jordan, Oksana Leslie, Rachell Jackson, Carrie Dalby, Caren Rich, Isabella N. Jetten, D. Dean Carroll, Steven Moore, Ross Conner Smith, Christa Stanley, Jodie Cain Smith, Jim Hancock, and Me, cj petterson. The collection is available at http://amzn.to/2BTiqt5


Valentine’s Day is coming up and the Mad Catters have put together the perfect gift: The Trouble with Cupidan anthology of short stories, all featuring fun-sized bites of Trouble, the black cat detective. But wait, there’s more. The anthology is a feel-good two-fer. You get to read 10 great, short story mysteries spiced with romance and all proceeds from the sales of the anthology go to BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY, a caring place for homeless pets. Such a deal! Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the Mad Catters thank you for your support.

Order it now on Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2GLL0R5
*** 
Question: What’s your favorite book that made it to the big screen?

My answer:  Without a doubt, my favorite is Charlotte Brontë’s JANE EYRE. Neither of the characters is perfect, not in features and not for each other. They are deeply flawed; yet, they make it through somehow. It’s the ultimate romance story.

Now you: What’s your favorite book that made it to the big screen?

cj Sez: That’s all for this post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

Sponsors say: Here’s how to get a lot of reading for a little money…buy one (or all) of these great romance bundles:
California Kisses—10 book publisher’s bundle @ 99 cents (includes Deadly Star)
The Great Outdoors  8 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)
Bodies in Motion — 10 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
Choosing Carter  -- Kindle  /  Nook  /  Kobo   /  iTunes/iBook
Deadly Star --  Kindle  / Nook  / Kobo

Sunday, February 4, 2018

A lot going on in the publishing world

cj Sez:  PIECES ANTHOLOGY… a collection of short stories and poems by more than 20 authors from the Gulf Coast of Alabama, including USA TODAY best-selling authors Carolyn Haines and Craig A. Price Jr., is scheduled to launch Feb 6.

Other authors featured in the anthology include: Candice Conner, Joyce Scarbrough, Lady Lester, Frances Roberts, Ron Polizzi, Mavis M. Jarrell, Dee Jordan, Oksana Leslie, Rachell Jackson, Carrie Dalby, Caren Rich, Isabella N. Jetten, D. Dean Carroll, Steven Moore, Ross Conner Smith, Christa Stanley, Jodie Cain Smith, Jim Hancock, and Me, cj petterson. Compiled by the Mobile Writers Guild, the collection is available for pre-order.  Buy it now at http://amzn.to/2BTiqt5

Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards . . . Celebrating the 209th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, the Mystery Writers of America announced their nominees for the 2018 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2017. The Edgar® Awards will be presented to the winners at the MWA 72nd Gala Banquet, April 26, 2018, in New York City.

I was excited to see that I actually knew some of the awesome nominees. To find out how many you know and/or have read, click here:  http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html

And all you indie-published or plan-to-be indie-published authors, pay attention to the cover designs as well. Lots of cues there.

The Trouble Cat Collective of Mystery and Romance Writers is delighted to offer The Trouble with Cupid, an anthology of 10 short stories—all featuring fun-sized bites of Trouble, the black cat detectiveas a Valentine's Day offering. All proceeds from the sales of the anthology go to BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY . . . a lot of homeless pets are depending on us to help them out. This is a chance to read 10 great mysteries spiced with romance and do some from-the-armchair charitable work as well. The animals (especially) and the Trouble Cat Collective thank you for your support. Buy it here:  http://amzn.to/2GLL0R5


Claws for Concern by Miranda James, Author

From the author:  
“Three weeks from (Jan 30), the ninth ‘Cat in the Stacks’ mystery, CLAWS FOR CONCERN, will be released in both hardcover and e-book formats. If you intend to purchase either format and haven't already pre-ordered, please consider doing so. Publishers pay a lot of attention to pre-order numbers. Thanks, as always, for the support of cozy readers!”

Pre-order it now here:  http://amzn.to/2s2zjSL

cj Sez: Piggy-backing onto what Miranda said, pre-order numbers are also important for the Mobile Writers Guild anthology, PIECES, so please order as soon as you can.

That’s all for this post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

Sponsor blurb:
The Posse…8 Short Stories, free on Kindle Unlimited, 99 cents on Kindle

One of the Amazon five-star reviews says: 5 out of 5 stars  Wonderful Trip Back Into the Old West   “The Posse has a little bit for everyone who loves the Old West. If you're like me, and a romance reader, you will thoroughly enjoy Lyn Horner and cj Peterson's romantic tales of the Old West. Excellent stories, woven in with period details. If you're a lover of Old West ‘grit’ the other stories will grab hold of you and not let you go!

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
Choosing Carter  -- Kindle  /  Nook  /  Kobo   /  iTunes/iBook
Deadly Star --  Kindle  / Nook  / Kobo
California Kisses—10 book publisher’s bundle @ 99 cents (includes Deadly Star)
The Great Outdoors  8 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)
Bodies in Motion — 10 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)