The agent Colleen Lindsay has an excellent post on The Swivet about a misperception that bigger is better when it comes to books. Usually, this isn't the case--and it can sometimes be a marker that you're not yet a good enough writer to pare your story down to its essence.
This is a must-read post, especially for people revising manuscripts. And yes, it does contain some length guidelines--not rules, she says, because there are always exceptions.
Check it out.
In a slightly related topic, Michael Stearns at the Upstart Crow Literary blog wrote yesterday about Raymond Carver and his editor, Gordon Lish. Some serious paring down went on in Lish's office. It's interesting! (And Jane Yolen and Michael debate a bit in the comments section, which is worth the price of admission. Ahem.)
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