How long should an Ebook be?

How long should an Ebook be?

Author
Discussion

extraT

Original Poster:

1,827 posts

157 months

Thursday 14th April 2016
quotequote all


I'm in the middle of writing my first book. Im sure I will need all the help I can get when / if it comes to publishing, but for now I'm writing it for me; it's the book id want to read after spending my hard earned dosh.

But, here's my question.... How long should an Ebook be? A traditional fictional novel is around 80.000 words, does that rule apply to an Ebook? I'm asking because I've written around 30.000 words and I reckon its going to come in around 65,000 words (estimate, first draft). Is that a little too short? Or because it's an Ebook, traditional rules don't apply?

Cheers!

Fatrat

682 posts

198 months

Thursday 14th April 2016
quotequote all
Personally I don't think it makes any difference what format the book is in.

If I am buying an E Book if its got, say, 200 pages that might put me off if I think there will not be enough "time" to build up the plot and the characters.

Don't pad it out just for the sake of it otherwise it will not be the book you want

Good luck

extraT

Original Poster:

1,827 posts

157 months

Thursday 14th April 2016
quotequote all
Fatrat said:
Personally I don't think it makes any difference what format the book is in.

If I am buying an E Book if its got, say, 200 pages that might put me off if I think there will not be enough "time" to build up the plot and the characters.

Don't pad it out just for the sake of it otherwise it will not be the book you want

Good luck
I had the same thoughts by and large, I just wasn't sure if there was a rule of thumb?

Crush

15,078 posts

176 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
quotequote all
I'd prefer a book to be as long as it needs to be.

I've read many books that have gone on for too long with obvious filler, and I end up abandoning them through boredom.


coppice

8,909 posts

151 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
quotequote all
31,450 words - approx...

My advice is just write the book; then edit it and re-edit it (and then re-edit it a bit more ) until it reads well , flows from chapter to chapter and doesn't have any typos.Do not even think about how many words it should have - the answer will be whatever number you have when you've finished.

Oh - and good luck . I have written a couple and it is the single thing I am most proud of having done. Fan mail can get wearisome and obviously papparazzi are a constant irritant...

Don't plan on giving up the day job !

Edited by coppice on Sunday 8th May 07:04