Debut novel in works is around 125k words— is it too long to be published?

Question

I currently am in the process of beta-readers going through my first novel. It’s around 125k words and 440 pages. The story is a Gothic Horror set in a circus sideshow in the 1930s, following five perspectives.

None of my readers, or even my editor, has mentioned word count in any regard, but I attended a conference a few months ago, and to sum it up they basically said the longer you novel is (especially a debut) it gets harder for a publisher/agent to accept it. I really want to go the route with traditional publishing, and I believe my story is as long as it needs to be (major cuts have happened, rewrites, etc.). I’m just worried because the genre is a little niche (I think), and I don’t know if the story is actually ‘too long’ and I’m blind to it— or if I’m just nervous about inevitable rejection simply from the length.
Have debut novels in any genre (that isn’t sci-fi or fantasy) been accepted at such a high word count by new authors? I’ve been published by a few literary magazines/journals with short stories, but I know that’s not the same as having an entire novel to back me when presenting to a publisher. I’m just nervous I guess— trying not to overthink! Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated :,)

Answer 1

I'm sure you can google word count recommendations yourself, so I'll assume that isn't your question.

There are many questions on this site where aspiring writers do something they know is not recommended and they want us to reassure them that in their case deviating from recommendations is fine. The short answer in every case is: You are not Stephen King and you need to prove to agents and publishers that you have the skill and non-self-indulgent ego to write to specifications.

When you read what agents and editors say about word count and other specs, the most common statement is: They want to see that you are a pleasure to work with. And that it is their experience that in 99% of the cases where authors didn't comply to specs, the agents and editors have regretted it because those persons where unreliable and contrarian in general.

That said, of course there are stories that cannot be told in the recommended word count for a genre, and it is possible that you can convince an agent or publisher that your book will become a bestseller regardless of not meeting their requirements.

But you have to understand that readers browse book shelves with certain expectations and are more likely not to buy a book that doesn't meet these expectations. And book length is one expectation. Deviating from expectations is a risk that the publishers try to avoid, because they have to invest a lot of money in advance and of course they are trying to minimize their risks.

So the ultimate question is whether you believe you can convince agents and publishers that your book isn't a risk but a guaranteed bestseller despite not meeting genre conventions.

Answer 2

Is 125k words too long?

It depends. Is the piece literary v. general audience? Literary pieces tend to be longer.

Does the story need a lot of world-building? This is often the reason that debut sci-fi and fantasy novels run near 100k words compared to 50k for novels with contemporary settings.

Is the story tight and engaging? If yes, then the words are doing their job. If it drags in places, then are they needed or can they be combined.

If you feel the work is ready, then send it to agents. Agents are in the business of selling novels to publishers. Without a novel, they don’t earn $$$. If they think it will sell, they’ll offer to represent you. If they think it might sell, then they might give you feedback.

If the story is good and the writing is strong, that’s the important part. The length is a guideline. Matt Ruff’s debut novel was 400 pages. He wrote Lovecraft Country, though it was not his debut novel. Neal Stephenson’s novels run very long. Some writers can’t write shorter stories. That is something that Neal said in an interview.