The Right Length

By Paul McCarthy - Nov 05 , 2007

The entire range of length in published books, as measured by word count, is enormous. Some books are as short as 60,000 words or less, and others as long as 250,000 words or more.

The ultimate goal is the best book an author can write and publish, and the right length for every book is part of achieving that goal. The best length for any particular book is determined by many factors, including:

The amount of storytelling or information the intended audience wants in a new novel or nonfiction book. The author and editor define that by knowing what has satisfied the readers of the author’s previous books. If an author is writing a first book, then the defining is done by knowing the length of books by other authors.

How much readers are willing to pay for the new book. Length is a major determinant of publishing costs. Therefore, the right length equates with the right sales price.

Editors use different approaches to help authors achieve longer or shorter word totals. Throughout the entire editing and writing process, they apply the Rule of Significance (ROS, as defined in my published article of the same title) and the essential need to maintain unity, focus, and consistency at the highest thematic level. As they get close to the defined best length, they adjust the nature of their work accordingly.

Too long:

• First, cutting the least significant material, in large and small portions.
• Distilling the writing so that what’s important is expressed in fewer words.
• Cutting results in gaps in the book. When all the deletions have been done, the author writes transitions to fill in the gaps and to unify the material.
• If necessary, engaging in one or more additional rounds of work through these phases, until the manuscript is of the approximate best length.

Too short:

• Identifying what’s already in the manuscript that’s important and compelling and has the potential for development.
• Deciding what’s the best new material and as can be easily integrated with the manuscript.
• Outline until there’s a final outline-overview of the new, best book.
• Engage in the substantial, actual writing and revision, with the confidence that all they do will improve the entirety of the lengthening book.

When all the significant and related reductions and expansions have been achieved, author and editor can then maximize the value of having the greatest clarity and understanding with a final review. Here, they look for the final needed refinements of additions, deletions, distillations, and insertions, continuing until the length is what it should be.

At that elevated point, the editor can focus on all the editing that will enable the author in final revision to achieve their very best book . . . at the right length.