Maybe the internet has ruined my ability to read? I usually read thrillers or contemporary women’s fiction, but I have read every John Sandford’s Prey Novels and much of Harlan Coben’s library too. But have they stopped editing most published books? Because I literally find myself at page 300 thinking, “Did this book NEED to be this long?” Am I alone in this? (I know as a former news editor that I can be harsh but nearly every book I pick up needs to be 100 pages shorter.)
by missblissful70
4 Comments
I think the industry is currently favoring longer books, for a variety of reasons. Especially smaller authors who get paid by the page read on kindle unlimited, for example. More pages means more money.
No no, I agree. I’m starting to wonder if anything’s getting edited *or* proofread these days, given the horrid pacing and many typos and errors. It’s baffling.
I just read a 300 some page cozy fantasy that was low stakes and a lot of slice of life, so I think that, while you are not alone (plenty will agree with you), I am glad there is a variety of stuff to read. Up next is a huge and detailed science fiction novel that I have been looking forward to for awhile.
There was only one book that I thought could have been edited down, but, in the end, it was enjoyable anyway and was obviously the story the author wanted to tell.
What parts were the ones you would have cut?
Also, how did you choose the books you would cut down? Was the book itself interesting?
I feel your pain. I silently and compulsively copy edit in my head every time I read anything. My pet peeve is misspellings.