The edits for SAPPHIRE FLAMES have landed. The good news is that our editor liked the book. The bad news is that it’s 108,000 words and it needs to be closer to 100,000.
In the mixed-bag news, there are no obvious places to make a large cut. Typically, the easiest way to make large cuts is to drop a character or condense the plot, but in this case, everything that’s in there has to be in there. We are dropping Munoz, which is a small scene, but the rest will have to come from line edits. Meaning we will be checking for contractions and rewording things on a sentence level.
To quote Jeaniene Frost, who bravely suffered through the manuscript, “I marked some extra sentences through the middle of the book, but in the last quarter, you are screwed. There is nothing to cut.”
This is one of the simpler but more labor intensive edits. The only edit that’s more in depth is a voice edit, where the character doesn’t sound right. That one requires a complete rewrite. This one requires going through every sentence, trying to make it shorter.
You know that part when Arland talks about going into battle every day on Nexus, healing in the evening, and then going back out? It’s going to be a bit like that, because we have 2 weeks to accomplish this. So for the next two weeks, this blog will be a post-battle licking of the wounds. You have been warned.
This sounds like running your whole book through a Twitter filter. My deepest sympathies. Good luck!
Warning noted. Anticipation building. Good luck.
I don’t understand why an extra 8,000 word makes such a big difference to the editor. Can’t they just leave aloneness?
+1. More is better!!
+1. I mean, if it’s all good stuff, can’t it be left as is? No one’s going to complain about more book to read.
Oh! Back to the grindstone! “In the last qtr, you are screwed”! Well, we’re all cheering you on, even if you can’t actually hear us. 🙂
Happy (is that possible?) Editting!
Best wishes on the editing. While I’m happy to read more words by you, I do notice excess verbiage in books (just finished one by a writer I normally love, but there was too much repetition, in particular of adolescent posturing, in this book). I appreciate your efforts more than I can say.
You mean the scene posted in “On Rants, Well Deserved Nature Of?” A moment of silence for a funny scene/interesting character. Wishing you strength, endurance and patience with the editing!
I happy that your editor liked the book. May I ask why this book should be closer to 100 000 words, why the current length is a problem? Good luck with the edits!
An Avon paperback is about 100K. I suspect that’s the established size with the printer and a set price point. 🙂
Will there be any chance to read cutted scenes with Munoz?
Can we pay an extra $1 for the extra 8,000 words??? (Just kidding. I know that’s not an option and you have to work within their parameters. BUT I TOTALLY WOULD PAY EXTRA. Just saying.) Good luck with the edits.
I know you’re kidding but I could see potential in a “Special Edition” version of a book coming out. It would be a good way to sell a book twice! But the only precedent I can think of in books was an extra-long edition of The Stand.
I would totally pay Extra for the Author’s Cut.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. 🙂
Thank you for the reply. Looking forward to reading this book. Hopefully the edit isn’t too painful.
I would also like to know why word count is such a “Big Thing” (you have mentioned having to shorten manuscripts several times before, IIRC). I would understand it if the text was overly repetitious or unnecessarily wordy, but even in such a case the word count would only be a symptom of the underling issue. IMHO you are sufficiently established and your books/manuscripts (probably) of an above average quality that I would expect the target word count to be more of a suggestion than a hard limit. Having to do a sentence by sentence shortening just to meet some arbitrary count seems unnecessarily strict to me.
Word count is a big thing because word count affects the production costs (paper, ink, binding) and therefore that final price of the book. The publisher and the marketing department have a set range that puts the break even sales point at a figure they’re comfortable with.
It may seem arbitrary, but there’s a lot of math and data involved.
Peter,
While it may seem arbitrary from the outside, there is a lot of math and data that goes into the word count limits.
Basically, word count affects production costs (ink, paper, binding), which in turn affects price of the book. The publisher (and marketing department) figure out the best length range for the break even sales (how many copies they need to sell before they start making a profit) figure that they feel comfortable with.
Peter,
The word count limits are determined by a lot of math and data. The publisher creates a range that sets a break even sales figure that they’re comfortable with (taking into account that word count affects production costs–ink, paper, run time on printers, binding).
I am also one of those people who doesn’t understand why word count is such a big deal. I will gladly pay an extra buck to get those 8000 words! Also, wasn’t “White Hot” a little on the long side, too (not that I am complaining)? It’s listed as having 421 pages, while for Sapphire Flame the preview says 384 pages… so it should be possible to fit those extra 8000 words into 40 pages. I already hate the idea of vital parts of the story being removed because of word count!
Hear, hear! Increased cost for extra delight. Ok by me!!
Best of wishes for the editing.
Good luck! What is the impact if the word count goes over? Just curious.
It changes the production costs, and therefore the price of the book. The publisher has a range that works for them to achieve a break even sales figure (how many copies they need to sell before making a profit) they’re comfortable with.
That sounds like a serious mission! What if we all offered to pay a bit extra lol
I wish you both the smoothest time with this edit possible! 🙂
Heh, the editor in me actually kind of enjoys that kind of work, but I totally understand why it would be exhausting and frustrating for you! Good luck and may the caffeine be strong.
Same here.
As an instructor, tutor, and editor, I’ve greatly enjoyed helping people cut word counts.
Apparently there’s something wrong, or masochistic, with me. 🙂
I just finished edits for book two. I’m relieved I didn’t have to cut because that is so much harder. 🙁 Good luck! And if you need another set of eyes, you have my email. ??
Hello! I just preordered your book!
And Ilonas of course!!
Thank you so much! ? And I, too, have Ilona’s book on preorder. That way it shows up on my Kindle like magic, a gift for future me. ?
When I saw this post, I went to B&N, saw Aurora Blazing on pre-order, and ordered it. I’m currently reading Polaris Rising. ?
Just confirmed I had already pre-ordered Aurora Blazing (thanks for reminding me of the title, Patricia; saved me some searching on Amazon).
It’s a good thing Amazon keeps track of what I’ve already pre-ordered. This would have been at least the third time I would have pre-ordered Sapphire Flames if they hadn’t told me I already ordered it.
All of Ilona’s and Gordon’s books are auto buy for me. 🙂
I have also pre-ordered Aurora Blazing. Can’t imagine having to wait 6 months for this book!!!!!
I am certainly enjoying The Queen’s Advantage in the meanwhile.
Yeah! Book 2! This blog is what led me to Polaris Rising, so I’m excited to hear the next is moving along. Something else to mark on my calendar 🙂 And thank goodness Amazon lets me know when I’ve already pre-ordered something or I would end up with about 5 copies of all of the Ilona Andrews’ books!
Why can’t they just let you publish the extra 8000 words?
I’d be willing to pay more for the extra 8,000 words!
Same! Take my $$$!
Hang onto the Munoz scene. You might be able to squeeze it in in the next book, or maybe book 3. I liked the scene, personally, but it obviously wasn’t integral to the story. It did show an interesting side of Catalina ‘s personality, though.
I would love to have the extra words. I was rereading Magic Triumphs last night with a focus on all of the scenes that Conlan was in. Usually I am not one to enjoy much about babies or toddlers but those scenes are gems. Granted, he is not your usual toddler but still. . . I would love to have thousands of more words about that family.
Good luck on the edits(:
Glad they liked the book and aren’t demanding structural changes. Sorry that you have to go into tedious edits. Could you release a separate “director’s cut” version just online that has the extra 8K words?
…and now I am imagining the (co)director’s voice-over.
(Ilona gets a magic button that cuts Gordon’s mic and plays annoying music whenever he’s about to give away too much.)
Of course they liked the book…. it’s by Ilona Andrews 🙂
Sorry to hear you have to do the edits though. Editing out 7% through sentence condensing will be very trying. Good luck!
Hmm… that’s a lot of words. I would gladly pay more too because your words are usually gold. Rooting for you and wishing you creative reduction.
Well this annoys me considerably. I am all for cutting out endless repetition or general waffling but when an
established author has to start cutting perfectly decent scenes and trying to shorten sentences to meet some imposed word limit the publishers have mistaken their job. It’s obvious from this comments section that most of us would be happy to pay more for the full length story so what possible reason can the publishers have to insist on this pointless and possibly story-detrimental trimming? If they can publish 600-800 page books that are 70% weapons statistics then they could publish Sapphire Flames as written. Definitely irked.
1) They would have to raise the price.
2) It would mean getting different typesetting.
3) The contract specified 90-100K, so we are at fault. 🙂
Omg, yes!! I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve started skipping whole pages of weapons descriptions from a previously favorite author (who shall remain unnamed). His books just keep getting longer, to the very real detriment of the plot and characters.
How much are we talking price wise? I would be willing to pay right now if they leave the word count alone. Can’t the book just be put in the 100-110K slot? Why is Avon so inflexible?
I appreciate that you are the ones in breach of contract but really think your publisher is making a short sighted mistake by insisting on holding you to it. If you’d put in waffle and repetition then fine insist on cuts but if the story is as tightly written as you say then it’s a mistake for them to be inflexible. The price rise is unlikely to affect sales going by the BDHs comments and while I can appreciate the typesetting issues as my father is a typesetter, it shouldn’t be a deal breaker it should just be a factor in calculating the additional cost. I for one would rather pay more and read the book that you think is your best effort not the publisher’s abridged version.
Currently adding Avon to my, “enemies list” for costing me 8000 words from Ilona Andrews.?
Lol, count me in. I know it’s a contract but really……
Amen!
Oh Ilona going back to your post about hair products, I discovered Oribe which is the best product I have ever used on my hair. There are lots of videos on the website which give a feel for the products, and one on curly hair. It’s not cheap but, for the results I’m seeing, I feel it is worth it. https://www.oribe.com
If you’re talking about 8,000 out of 108,000… well, I have no doubt you can find some places to condense a bit, but that strikes me as not a huge difference… 100k to 108k… That’s a bit nit-picky, but they are the publishing house… ::wishing if I could explain to them how little this matters to me as a reader especially given I have willingly and happily soldiered through much longer books up to and including Mists of Avalon::
Ah well, I hope it goes as easily as it can for you!!
Good luck! Sending you guys good vibes. See you on the other side of the battle!
Where (and what) is the Munoz scene? I must have missed it…and the character?…somehow. Can someone send me a link to the blog section? And like others, I would certainly pay more for more words!
Thanks.
Anne in Virginia
https://ilona-andrews.com/on-rants-well-deserved-nature-of/
Thank you so much. The BDH always comes through.
Anne in Virginia
Good luck! It’s like you’re awesomeness is working against you in this case, since it is what it is at 108K! ? hope battle is kind.
I don’t mind an additional 8ooo words…
8k out of 108k is about 7.4-ish%, if my calculator isn’t lying to me. How many pages does that amount to out of the total?
If we get a preference, I’m willing to do without the table of contents and dedication page. 😛
Where can we go to tell the publisher we want all the words. Sheesh.
Although, I’m looking forward to a treat later on. ?
Could we do a Go Fund Me and keep the extra, precious words? The books go by too quickly.
genius idea!
I’m conducting a writing workshop for my students in a few weeks and one of the topics is writing concisely and clearly. This is MUCH easier to do in scholarly social science papers (my students) than in fiction. I wish you all the best luck! I once had to cut 2,000 words from an article I wrote because the reviewers wanted more information, but the journal had a hard limit of 6,000 words. It definitely was a bootcamp for editing. It made me a better writer, which I only appreciated months afterward!
Whatever you send in is going to be awesome! I am sorrowful that some things have to be changed or removed. May we, the readers, be allowed to read the removed scene after the book is published? That would be great. I love your books and want all of your words. Is the number count a publisher rule? I believe you wrote about this somewhere before. Thanks for all y’all do!
I had to do similar when writing my honours project at uni….. You’d be surprised how many words you can save by swapping ‘and’ for full stops or commas! Although…… I wasn’t concerned too much for readability when i was in the final furlong of my project…… Probably different for you guys…!
Good luck!!
I’d rather have a longer book to read. 100,000 versus 108,000… give me the extra 8,000 words.
Good luck with your edit. We will be here commiserating with you!
Go go go
https://giphy.com/gifs/cat-reaction-youtubers-609o8uNjasiJO
It sounds like so much work, but the rewards are worth it! I know it will be great, as it always is! I love everything you both write!! The fact that Jeanine Frost is another of my favorite authors is so cool, I love that you know her!!! I can’t wait to read this one!!
Good luck with your editing!
Though I really appreciate long books: there’s more story to read ❤️
I’d be fine with the extra 8000 words too. But the author lords are professionals, and the publishers actually have reasons for what they do. Usually. I know it will still be an excellent book, with or without the 8000 words. In the mean time, we are here to listen to any and all steam needed to be blown off in the course of edits. Or not, as serves your mental health needs best under a difficult deadline. I know we will be getting a good book, regardless.
Good luck, patience and strong tea / coffee!
This makes me think of some resumes I’ve read. The applicant tries to shorten the length by contracting the word “and” with “&” and other substitutions until the damn thing is unreadable. In the meantime, as a volunteer on the imaginary support crew, I’ll bring ripper cushions, bandages, and chocolate. Good luck.
I pray for the added graces of patience, perseverance and intuitive inspiration in your rigorous editing task.
I understand the theory of publishing certain sizes of paperbacks (I disagree, but that is beside the point), I think presaging and backstory are very important in a series, especially one such as this one with multiple characters. Does Avon own the rights to all of Catalina’s story? Might the BDH get some or at least most of the missing material in a free online story or novella?
BTW: I may be in the minority, but I find it jarring when a character uses contractions in formal speech, especially if the society uses old-fashioned courtesy elsewhere (e.g. Lord and Lady). Speaking to a friend off duty is different from confronting a superior giving or taking orders or before a battle. I have noticed an increase in writers using contractions. Maybe this is a product of having to restrict the word count.
Oh man. That’s brutal. I mean I get that they have some magic reason why they have to have it a certain length but you’d think they’d have a little more flexibly. Particularly when the alternative is a brutal cut like this. I appreciate your slogging through the salt mines for us. May the editing gods smile upon you in your hour of travail.
Good luck, I write a lot of legal briefs in my job and we often run into the dreaded word count issue. It is a lot of work, my sympathies!
Hoping all the Feline and Canine members of your household help to keep your blood pressure down while going through the frustration of the editing. Too bad you can’t Wine during your Whining.
(We are all with you.)
So the book will be populated by people who speak tersely and would rather sneer than snark?
Just how many pages are in the book? The more the merrier since am used to reading books with a thousand pages. Is word count measured in inches? Reason for asking is that I recently read The trouble with Tribbles by David and forgot last name. This was a behind the scene look in how the show was done. Would not believe how many times, he had to rewrite. One was because it wasn’t long enough and then it was too long. His typewriter used 12 characters per inch while the studio used 10, and he had 3 pages too many then. So maybe can change type size from pica to elite?
Was very good at shortening articles when I was in high school though this was a very long time ago. So if you need another person to help with editing, more than willing to help.
One more question about shorter sentences, does this mean leaving out the, and, but, and other similar words?
Last name Gerrold, I believe. He wrote other things, but was best known for “The Trouble with Tribbles”.
Good luck with the edits. I hope you’re not too exhausted by the end of it!
I believe there’s about 500 words on a single spaced typed page. I don’t know how many in a romance novel. So sixteen or more pages too many for Avon. That would increase the retail price to near nine bucks U.S. currency. Avon knows the market for Ilona Andrews books. And, there’s the contracted word count. Munoz won’t be missed. What’s Conlon’s age, and what’s Wing’s pet’s name? So another thirteen pages to cut. I feel the pain.
That’s the name, lot of humor and moaning in the book.
So we’re talking about a 200 page novella and another 16 pages for the 8000 words and about 4 pages for front of the book. Must not be the right count. Amazon is saying that it will be a 384 page book. This would be a book .
As for the print industry, sections are usually 24 or 48 pages. Might go down to 16 pages less than that becomes too hard to run.
Good Luck! It must be hard to do some of these big cuts to all your hard work. Hopefully it will go smoothly.
Noooo, don’t cut it….all those precious words and hard work you all put in! Just tell your publisher to make the font smaller……hahhaha! Good luck with the edits. I really enjoy your books. Thanks for the wonderful stories and characters.