2022- Query Support group! Resolution check in!

Hello all!

It's a new year

 

 

And I'm moving right along with my New Year's Resolutions. As a reminder

This year they are:

1)      To revamp my query and resume querying

2)      To write 500 words a day on a new project/everyday

R    Read more

3)      To make more friends in the writing community

4)      

S    So... My query is revised and because I'm a big fan of asking for help from those wiser and more experienced than I, it will be going out for a professional looksie 👀, before it goes out into the cold, hard query trenches. 

      I have successfully written 500 words a day on a new project. I think I'm going to take some of my own advice and write my query for that one early. It will give me an opportunity to solidify my plan and identify any glaring issues.

    Currently reading: The Ivies by Alexa Donne

 

la   Last but not least, to make more friends in the writing community. That's where you all come in. I'd love to connect here (drop a comment in the comments), on twitter @midlifecreative or using the #QuerySupportGroup tag. Look forward to hearing from you!

    B

 

C

 

 

 

 

Dear O'Abby: From the Archive - Word Count

 O'Abby is on vacation the next two weeks, so posts will be from the archives.  This week, always a popular question: word count...

Dear O'Abby,

I was recently trying to find out what an acceptable word count might be for a middle grade novel.  I consulted the great Google, and on the first page found three completely contradictory answers to that question.

Why is something like word count, that should be pretty standard across the industry, just... not?

Yours,

Google-plexed

Dear Google-plexed,

I agree, word count is something that should be standardized. And it largely is within the publishing industry, but this is the internet and everyone has an opinion they want to share, regardless of whether it's right or wrong.  Or up-to-date.  And word count of books change as people's reading habits change.

Partly, I think the discrepancies online are historical. The more pages a book has, the more expensive it is to print and bind.  And to ship. Have you ever noticed that books tend to get longer the further you get into a series?  That's what happens for successful authors; they get more words to play with because the publisher already knows there is an audience hungry for the next title by that author.

But this doesn't really apply when a large number of people are reading books digitally and there is no cost for printing, binding and shipping.

Which probably has a lot to do with the way word count seems to be changing.

I did some research and it appears that in the current climate, any book, regardless of age-level that is over 100,000 words starts making agents and publishers nervous.  A fantasy novel or historical that requires a lot of world building might be able to edge up to 120,000, but any higher than that and you might be looking at an insta-rejection.

Middle grade novels tend to range between 20,000 and 60,000 words, depending on subject matter and whether it's aimed at the upper or lower range of MG.

YA novels tend to range between 45,000 and 100,000 words, with most sitting around the 60,000 to 75,000 word mark.  As a YA author, I'm constantly trying to fight to get my own books to that level because while I tend to write really lean first drafts, my finished books almost always wind up being closer to 85,000 than 60,000.  The one I've been editing the past few weeks is just over 90,000.  Luckily I have a very supportive publisher...

Adult books tend to be between 60,000 and 120,000 with the majority hitting somewhere around the 85,000 to 100,000 mark.

Life seems to be getting busier all the time and there are more and more things competing for our attention.  It will be interesting to see if, as attention spans get shorter, publishers start looking for shorter books.  Certainly there has been an explosion in the popularity and availability of novellas in recent years, particularly in the romance genre, which, at around 20,000 to 40,000 words indicates people are buying and reading shorter fiction.


X O'Abby

Matt Wilson answers #13Questions in OA's Debut Author Spotlight

13 Questions shine Operation Awesome's Spotlight on this 2022 Debut Author

Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician by Matt Wilson

1- Could "Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician" help someone with their New Years Resolutions? #NewYearsResolutions

Sure, one of the main categories in the book is Identity and Expectations. A few of the Hooks in this section fit perfectly in a New Year's Resolution strategy:

• Hook # 29 - Plan for the Future. Don't live in it.
• Hook #36 - Forecast the need for change and reinvention.
• Hook #38 - Patience is the pathway to growth.
• Hook 47 - If you truly believe that a greater purpose lies in your endeavor, you will see that endeavor to the end.

2- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?

Write precisely. We often use words that fall within the category of, “You know what I mean!” Make sure the words you choose are exactly what you want to say.

3- What emotions do you hope your book will evoke for the reader?

Hope and encouragement.
I'm inspirited by the concept of freedom and liberation—freedom, as in overcoming obstacles, liberation from fear, freedom to identify the choices in our lives, and then having the resolution to make a decision. Ultimately, my aim for the reader is to accept the challenge of working through struggles and limitations, share their experiences as a resource for others, and find a way to succeed and thrive.

4- What's something exciting you have planned for this year?

I aim to record an audio version of Hooks and further my efforts for a career in public speaking.

5- Would you share a picture with us of your book in a festive setting?



6- How do you support your fellow debut authors and have any of them supported you?

I'm always open to sharing what I've learned about the book writing process. There's so much more to writing a book than seeing ideas develop into words on the page. I relied on a handful of seasoned authors to guide me through my writing journey, and I'm available to do the same for anyone who'd welcome my advice.

7- What's your Twitter handle for #WriterWednesday ?

@wilsontunes

8- What is your favorite creative non-writing activity to do?

I'm a musician and entertainer. I enjoy performances where I can talk to the crowd in-between songs and build a show. My banter is typically impromptu, and the show develops in the moment. Deciding what song to play, what to say, and regulating the show's arc utilizes many facets of my creativity.

9- In what ways are the main characters in your book diverse? diversebooks.org #WeNeedDiverseBooks

My book does not comment on the issue of diversity directly. It does, however, address challenges everyone faces professionally and personally. Overcoming doubt and fear, maintaining relationships, and building confidence are overriding themes that resonate with many and are found throughout the book.

10- What's the biggest writing goal you hope to accomplish in your lifetime? #WriteGoal #BucketList #WriterBucketList

My goals as an author are modest. I've been a professional musician for over thirty years. To make the transition to a writer has required tenacity. Building recognition as a writer has been rewarding, so I'd like to continue that path. Most importantly, my aim is that my writing is meaningful and helpful to others

11- How did you come to the decision not to send a query letter?

I’ve learned that book promotion is a long and ongoing process, and a query letter might be in my future. Yet, so far, I've chosen the route of self-publishing and promotion through a book publicist.

12- Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?

Can you recall a time in your life when you faced an undesirable situation that seemed firmly determined, yet, with further examination, you realized you had a say in the matter and chose a different outcome?

13- Anything else you would care to share about your book and yourself?

Matt Wilson is a performing musician, songwriter, and author. He first gained national exposure as the Piano Man in the First National Tour of the Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Tony-award winning musical Movin’ Out. In 2005, the Texas State Senate honored Matt with a resolution for his achievements in the area of Fine Arts. In 2021, Matt released his first book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician. His podcast, On The Hook with Matt Wilson is available on most podcast platforms.


Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician by Matt Wilson