Fantasy Geeks discussion

The two, wonderful editors, that have worked with me on my book (and the second book in the series is already booked in).

Developmental Editor: Teresa Edgerton

Copy Editor: Tricia Kristufek

Both highly recommended!

Awe, you're making me blush. :) Thanks for the kudos!

I endorse Tricia too and I can add Cassie McCown among editors, haven't tried other members of Creative Reviews (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...)

Let's Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, And Why You Should

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Digita...

Apparently full of tips on formatting, etc. Going free on amazon.

Let's not forget Dean Wesley Smith series on
The New World of Publishing
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?page_...
Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?page_...
Think Like a Publisher (workshop is worth attending too)
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?page_...
and Kris Rusch's business posts http://kriswrites.com/business-rusch-...
(safe now after the hacker attack)
And Mark Coker's free books, of course.
Smashwords Book Marketing Guide
Smashwords Style Guide
The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success

I really like Dean Wesley Smith's attitude.

Um, this sort of fits here, sort of doesn't... I dunno. I'm going to ask it anyway.

A friend asked me how many pages 80,000 words equates to in an ebook. I wasn't 100% sure, so I wondered if those of you who have already published could shed some light on it. I thought maybe around the 200 pages mark... although I could be waaaaay off!

I'll know this week:) My next novel is 87,000. Don't know if I'll get a chance to upload it today (busy for next two days) so it may be on Friday. If someone else hasn't answered by then, I'll get back to you. :)

Oh, manuscript length in pages is 329, at 14 point font, and 1.5 lines spacing. My guess is that it will be double that as an ebook (kindle).

hmm ok thanks Gina :D

My goal is around the 80,000 word mark. Though the way Sorcha is going it could be 800,000 words!

My ex-lit agent gave me some guidelines. New Fantasy author 90--150 K, non Fantasy and Sci-fi can be less. She said that extremely long first novels (Yep, G R R Martin style-- but he can do it as he is well established) are not as acceptable to publishers. But hey, if you're going indie, you set the word count! This novel I'm about to release was 95K before editing round (dev ed, copy ed, etc), now 87K.

Personally I like the 80--90K mark, I back away from the huge novels now (as a reader that is). :)

Yeah I'm a bit the same, if it's oober long I don't take to it quite so much initially, I guess I'm worried that it will drag on...

Having said that of course I have read some long ones too.

I think the goal of around 80,000 is a good starting point, if it goes over, it goes over! If it's under that, it's under that... not too concerned.

I am interested in how many 'pages' that converts to on a kindle though... so Gina when you get yours up and posted if you could let me know that'd be great and others if you happen to know from previous experience, I'd love to get a rough idea.

Will do. Have to phone Telstra today (oh no! Long wait on phone and silly recorded voice to deal with!) about the wifi connection to my laptop. Then I can get things rolling, as I can't upload my books from this mac. *sigh*

:) Gina.

Good luck with Telstra! I feel your pain! I have had to deal with them in the past too!

Lynxie,
my Books of the Immortals Fire, Water and Earth are around 80.000words. Check their Kindle page (I'm giving my Author Central page http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0050P0R2G). Air is 90.000, Ether 70.000.
Those books were "pumped up" to meet traditional publishing length... This year's first two novels are only 40K, but that's obviously my natural length (OK, let's say my natural length in 50K). Too short for traditional fantasy? Who cares? ;-)
Happy writing!

Thanks Barbara! So around the 80k mark looks to be between 250-300 pages. :D

Lynxie wrote: "Thanks Barbara! So around the 80k mark looks to be between 250-300 pages. :D"

I guess... but then e-books don't have page numbers, so why bother? ;-)
Although I think I should write down the wordcount when I download an e-book, otherwise I don't know which is the shortest... which is clearly visible on Smashwords, not sure on Kindle (can you tell I prefer buying from Smashwords, LOL?).

I guess my friend is still living in printed book terms, she doesn't have an ebook reader :P

Some of the listings on Amazon do have page numbers/word counts, on the kindle though, it's a location number or something. *shrugs* or a percentage through the book.

Lynxie wrote: "I guess my friend is still living in printed book terms, she doesn't have an ebook reader :P

Some of the listings on Amazon do have page numbers/word counts, on the kindle though, it's a location..."

Gah! Then you have to make the print version either with Lulu or CreateSpace... Life's hard! ;-)

Lynxie wrote: "Um, this sort of fits here, sort of doesn't... I dunno. I'm going to ask it anyway.

A friend asked me how many pages 80,000 words equates to in an ebook. I wasn't 100% sure, so I wondered if those..."

My first book was 80,000 words and Amazon estimated that as 290 pages which works out at 275 words per page, which is a good rule of thumb. I've read this topic discussed on the Kindle forums and suggested word per page vary between 250-300. But if your going to post it on Amazon, might as well use their rule - 275 words.

Thanks Tony and Jaq :D I will keep that in mind :D

Just released mine on smashwords. But not up on amazon until tomorrow, or next day. I'll get back to you then, Lynxie. :) Gina.