Hip-hip-hooray!
Doggone Mess worked out to be just shy of 146,000 words before editorial. To give you an idea, the original version was closer to 35,000 words.
It is entirely up to readers if they choose to only read the Dirty Deeds 1 edition of the book, but let’s just say a lot can–and does–happen in the additional 111,000 words of story. I’m really pleased with the book. As a reminder, Doggone Mess will be increasing in price to $7.99 early in its release week, so if you’re on a budget, please mark May 16, 2023 on you calendar so you can take advantage of the $6.99 preorder price.
I believe that officially makes Doggone Mess the longest of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) novels.
For the curious, Hoofin’ It comes in at second place at 135,000 words.
Oh, hell, why not! Here’s the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series by word count, rounded because I feel like it! (In whatever order I found them / opened them on my computer.)
Playing with Fire: 112,000 words.
Hoofin’ It: 136,000 words.
Hearth, Home, and Havoc: 25,000 words.
Serial Killer Princess: 53,000 words.
Whatever for Hire: 112,000 words.
Cheetahs Never Win: 95,000 words.
Plaidypus: 95,000 words.
Catnapped: 101,000 words.
Grave Humor: 86,000 words.
Murder Mittens: 92,000 words.
Double Trouble: 58,000 words.
No Kitten Around: 96,000 words.
A Chip on Her Shoulder: 91,000 words.
Blending In: 71,000 words.
(Whispered) Please stop saying the books are short, please, I beg you. Please. Except for Hearth, Home, and Havoc. That’s legitimately a novella. (Please.) Generally, full-length novels begin at 50,000 words.
If I missed one, please don’t complain about it… I found most of them, and it’s a bit of a pain to get them all opened. ^^;
Have a great day, and may the slightly earlier release date for Vampire of Montana please you!
Thank you, my dear, for *all* those lovely words. (I realize that editing will take some away, but that’s what happens…)
I am really looking forward to “Doggone Mess”. It is worth the extra dollar!
I almost always add words during editorial. I write barebones and only add what’s actually necessary, especially in terms of planned repetition/reminders, and so on. I expect the book to grow by another 2,000 words or so by the time it’s finished.
It’s the aphantasia thing. I don’t focus much on descriptions and almost ALWAYS have to add stuff in.
Editorial is not another word for trim. It very much depends on the author. I’m an additive editor when it comes to my books as a general rule. (So when I’m asked to remove words, it gets rough at times XD)
Yay! yay! Yay! yay! Yay!
Looking forward to the expanded version of Doggone Mess!
I eagerly await my Vampire. And the newly grown Mess.
Hooray
The more, the merrier! I love your imagination so rock on with the words.?
Woo hoo!!!
Yay! Calendar updated. Looking forward to all the words.
The Magical Romantic Comedy books only seem short because we (greedy readers that we are) aren’t ready for the fun to end. I very much enjoy your books and thank you for Vampire’s early release.
The earlier release date is lovely. I’m looking forward to it. Thank you.
I am so sorry if people give you crap about your work; the length, the plots, the characters. I hope the pedantic asshats always hit every red light whenever they are in a rush. Your books are wonderful, and I’ve read and reread them countless times. They give me so much joy, and when I need to escape reality, your books are my magic portal. I appreciate you, and always look forward to your next release.
I hope you have a great week.
What does the Dirty Deeds2 edition mean? Different from what you order from Amazon ? Confused here
The version in dirty deeds 1 is not going to be the same as the version that is being released in May.
There will ALWAYS be people who don’t read a book description that clearly says NOVELLA and then complain that it isn’t 400 pages! Ignore them, and know that your REAL fans enjoy your books for whatever length is required to tell the story. If the story winds its way through to the end in 25,000 words to a satisfying conclusion, it is every bit as good for what it is and what it strives to be, as one that takes 140,000 words to accomplish all that it is supposed to.
No… people are saying the long books are short.
They just seem so short because we do not want the book to end!!
Right, but every time someone rants about how short they are in reviews, people think they’re novellas or actually short books, and they may not buy as a result. lol so it tends to make me sigh a lot, because work wise? HUGE difference between a 25,000 word short piece and a 85,000 word novel heh
When will we have another Lowrance brood romance? I miss Pepper and the rest already. An update please if you will. I sincerely enjoyed them!!
Yay! I will have Vampire of Montana for a birthday read on April 30! Of course, I will probably be unable to wait and read it as soon as it hits my Kindle. ?
Me too! Happy birthday in advance! Seriously, this will be my best present in a longggggg while.
I’m so excited! I actually started rereading all the books in preparatiom for the release. ?
Also I am impressed with the wire counts involved! Pay no mind to the people who can’t be bothered to read the description and know how much book they are getting!
I am very happy with the new release date with vampire of Montana. Why would the books be called short? I think they are perfect. I also have all the upcoming books on preorder. Have fun with your books, I do.
I hope the stuff below is right. I am not sure what a url is.
I will just say… The books are AWESOME ?!!!Hoofing it is still one of my favorites along with anything that has Bailey in it!! You do good work!
Ditto. I have to second this comment, as Bailey and the crew seriously rock!
I feel like those of us who want the books to be longer are those of us who love your writing and can’t put your books down. Thank you for sharing the word count of your books that was very enlightening. Yay for an early release date!
I think I know why people think the books are short novellas or novels.The are such good, quick reads that they do not feel like long books!
Yep, but I wish they wouldn’t say “these books are short” in reviews, because people take that quite literally… and yep, hurts sales lol
People don’t always think to check the page count lol
The only reason I think that the books are short is because I always want to know what happens next. Your writing always makes me want more of it. You write great stories. I’m looking forward to reading all of the new words.
Woohoo! Can we all say #EarlyRelease yeeha❣️
I love your books! Not just the RomComs but ALL of them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being an author with a fantastical imagination and a talent for sharing. I truly wish I had your gift of describing the world within your mind on paper. I write wonderful stories in my mind but am unable to do them justice on paper. You, my friend are brilliantly talented and I thank you again.
Maureen “Mo”
Hey there. I’ve been reading/hearing about some wicked weather in California. Just wanted to check in and make sure you and yours are OK.
I am so tired of weather (weeps) my SAD is so bad right now. We’re all safe and sound, but weather makes me sad… literally.
I’m very late to the party here… It’s been a really lousy decade the past 6 months here in the Fortress of the Terror Twins! In any case, I just wanted to say thank you for all the books you’ve written so far. Also, each book is exactly the number of words it is supposed to be – any book, under any name whether in a series or not. I know this because I’ve read many of them! So thanks again. I’ll wait, politely, until Doggone Mess shows up in my Kindle app in May! ??