tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post734821609589830383..comments2024-03-12T21:28:10.242-04:00Comments on That's Another Story: How Important is Length for a MG Novel?Andrea Mackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-76536260170428891162010-11-10T09:02:25.249-05:002010-11-10T09:02:25.249-05:00Susan, that's great to hear! I have my fingers...Susan, that's great to hear! I have my fingers crossed for you with your requested manuscripts.Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-12790143959317025232010-11-10T08:44:58.916-05:002010-11-10T08:44:58.916-05:00I think it depends on the story you are writing - ...I think it depends on the story you are writing - some MG novels are the type that should be much shorter, because they are aiming for a younger audience. But if you're aiming for upper MG, I think 50-60k is fine. I'm currently querying, and getting requests, on a 52k MG novel.<br /><br />Good luck!Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-25999273380301438932010-11-09T06:29:14.629-05:002010-11-09T06:29:14.629-05:00Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I suppose ...Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I suppose I just have to keep working on it and see what happens. I keep hearing that shorter is better.<br /><br />Laura, your suggestion about looking at the overall structure is a good one, and I've recently done that but I'm sure I'll be doing it again before this novel is anywhere near ready to sub. <br /><br />Marcia, thanks for the stats! I'm looking forward to reading the Wendy Mass book someday, haven't read the Penderwick one either. Maybe I mostly read shorter MG novels.Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-69580729029802408072010-11-08T22:28:04.355-05:002010-11-08T22:28:04.355-05:00According to the Renaissance Learning website (the...According to the Renaissance Learning website (the AR people), The Penderwicks on Gardam Street is over 63,000 words. It's not even that thick. I haven't found a word count on Wendy Mass's The Candymakers, but that's a THICK book.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-61645384669515152722010-11-08T10:24:06.618-05:002010-11-08T10:24:06.618-05:00I wouldn't worry. I cut 20,000 words from YA n...I wouldn't worry. I cut 20,000 words from YA novel, although it did mean cutting scenes I loved, but weren't necessary and like you said tightening dialogue and description, but it definitely reads better.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-10606658549051246792010-11-08T09:00:56.559-05:002010-11-08T09:00:56.559-05:00I think it's also a question of pacing. As lo...I think it's also a question of pacing. As long as you've cut everything extraneous and your novel moves along and your reader is caught up, they'll stick with it through 57,000. Look at Harry Potter!Susannahttp://www.susannahill.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-13997610744273442062010-11-08T08:17:15.771-05:002010-11-08T08:17:15.771-05:00For upper middle grade it might be doable. I'd...For upper middle grade it might be doable. I'd look at the overall structure, not the ind. lines, to see if scenes could be cut or combined.Laura Paulinghttp://www.laurapauling.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012878468524630950.post-42931844322838522802010-11-08T08:07:33.505-05:002010-11-08T08:07:33.505-05:00You know, I've read that 20,000 to 30,000 is s...You know, I've read that 20,000 to 30,000 is standard for a MG, then have heard you've got to hit 40,000. I've turned in several MGs to my agent, and apart from the very brief verse novel (which ran shorter than the typical at just under 14,000), I haven't heard any concerns about length. Both of these ms are around 28,000.<br /><br />There are MGs out there that are longer. Wish I had a more specific answer for you!Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.com