In my Saturday entry I mentioned that James Patterson was going to appear on the CBS News Sunday Morning show. (Although James Patterson doesn’t write Cozy Mysteries, he does write some mystery series that I know a lot of us read.) I hope some of you were able to watch that segment. I was delighted to hear James Patterson talk about his new idea for books: BookShots.
If you didn’t see the segment, you may be asking: What’s a BookShot? Well, they’re books that are 150 (+/-) pages long that cost less than $5.00. Yep, that’s right! Less than $5.00 for both the Kindle format AND the paperback editions! The BookShots official website touts these as “ALL THRILLER. NO FILLER.” (Don’t worry though >>> he’ll continue to release his regular length mysteries, too!)
(I currently have sixteen of his BookShots posted on the Soon to be Released page of my site, and I see that he will also be releasing James Patterson’s BookShot Flames which will be 150 page romance novels by other authors. He’ll also have a line of non fiction BookShots such as his September release: Clinton vs. Trump: In Their Own Words.)
With this in mind, I am posing this question: Would you like to see some of your favorite Cozy Mystery authors adopt the BookShots idea? Do you think you’d be interested in reading your Cozy Mysteries even if they were only half as long, (as well as a lot cheaper)? Obviously, if the author changed her/his books from 300 pages to 150 pages (or equivalent word count quota), there would have to be less of something such as descriptive passages or perhaps subplots. >>> Would you miss those?
P.S. These are not novella length novels. Usually you’re lucky if a novella is 90 pages long!
Mollie says
As a writer, (Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series), I see the 300-page (or more) book and the 150-page book as cats of a different color. They both have their place.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mollie, hmmm… I’m going to think about this…
Sandy says
I tend to avoid the novellas and would certainly avoid the book shots. My preference is a well developed story with character development and at least some subplot.
I haven’t read James Patterson since he started to churn out books using other authors. He seemed to be more interested in making money than writing novels. Not that money is a bad thing…. I just don’t feel that it can be the primary reason to write.
Lois says
I agree with Sandy’s comment. It is exactly what I would have written. I don’t read the novellas and I lost interest in James Patterson when he started churning out books,
Barb says
Some cozy mysteries are already too short for my liking now so I wouldn’t like to see them cut in half even if they are cheaper!!
KG says
I saw the segment on Sunday Morning with James Patterson and I enjoyed it. I was fascinated with his office. One of the things I like about his books (besides the suspense) are the short chapters. He said in the segment that he loved writing and so I think he does it because it is his passion, not just for the money. I like the way he is promoting literacy for the younger readers.
I would be willing to try BookShots as long as the quality is there. I am more than annoyed with the prices of ebooks lately. I also participate in 2 book clubs that each meet monthly and are usually over 450 pages and look forward to reading a good book with less than 250 pages.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
KG, I thought that segment was terrific. I love that he writes all those children’s books and that he wants to promote literacy for young (as well as older!) readers. And, WOW, what a writing room! Was that a Baby Grand in there? And all of those books he is working on!
MEinVA says
I would never read a BookShot. 150 pages cannot cover even the simplest topic – not to mention character and plot development. I feel a good book draws the reader in and includes them in the story. There isn’t much time to do this in 150 pages.
Cupid's Arrow says
MEinVA – You’d be amazed at what can fit in 150 pages if an author knows how to enhance while cutting. I’ve seen some 5,000 word horror stories that curled my toenails and were really good!
I prefer to read books that are around (or less than) 200 pages. Too often, I get pulled away from longer books and never have time to finish them before I forget what they are about, and I don’t have time to re-read them.
Renee' La Viness says
Hey, Cupid’s Arrow!
Not only do you use one of my old nicknames from the early 1980s, but you say the same things I do! This is kinda freaky.
I like short stories by authors who know how to cut and strengthen at the same time. They can be powerful little stories! I even teach a session on that!
I also prefer books that are 200 pages or less because I frequently get pulled away, and by the time I’ve worked on other writing/editing projects and get back to a longer book, I’ve forgotten the story line and I don’t have time to re-read it. Feel like I wasted my time on the part I already read.
I’m hearing Twilight Zone tunes in my head.
Jude says
While I think the shorter stories have their place, I too prefer a longer, well developed story and tend not to buy novellas.
Kerry J Charles says
Thanks for discussing this, Danna! I think the 300 page quota is yet another instance of how the big publishers are calling the shots. Bravo, Mr. Patterson for bucking the trend! I’d like to believe that my books (all 150+/- pages) have plenty of description and subplot to tell the story well. And yes, I’ve been turned down by the big houses because my work “wasn’t long enough.”
Good writing takes time, thought, and effort, and five well chosen words can take the place of twenty. Mark Twain (actually the sentiment is credited to several writers) famously said, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Although there are some excellent authors represented by the big houses, I get the feeling that, for the most part, their focus is on churning out pages for profit (you think?). It was my understanding that writing was considered an art. Silly me!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kerry, I read your first Dulcie Chambers novel (Portrait of a Murder – at 158 pages) and loved it! I truly didn’t miss 142 pages! I have your second (From the Murky Deep – at 172 pages) in my “current” Kindle folder, which means I will be reading it very soon. I’m certain I won’t miss the 128 pages the big five publishers would have required you to include…
Kerry J Charles says
Thanks so much Danna – I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my work! Bottom line for me (whether it’s my writing or anyone else’s) is a well-crafted, well-written story. I’ve read tomes that I’ve forgotten within days and short stories that have stayed with me for years, and vice versa.
Cupid's Arrow says
Kerry – I prefer what you say you write. I might have to check out some of your stuff.
Mimi says
I don’t think I would buy them. I like the detail in the books. Also, do not read James Patterson anymore. He is writing too many books and I agree he’s only after money.
Jo says
I’d definitely read bookshots/novellas written within the worlds of existing series. Perhaps exploring beloved side characters, expanding on events referred to but not experienced in the main series, et cetera. I can say with some degree of certainty I’d be on board! As for unrelated/standalone bookshots/novellas, I’m game to give them a try, but they’d be a bit lower on my reading list.
Stacey T says
I’ve noticed this 300 page trend recently. It doesn’t particularly bother me if the story is engaging. However, I have said to myself that this book could have ended much better if it was much shorter on quite a few occasions.
When I took a quick look back at some of my favorite cozies books on my bookshelf that I purchased in the past, they are typically 50-100 pages shorter. They seem to have written the story rather well without having to use an extended amount of pages.
But then again, in the past, the main character could just “be themselves”: housewife, writer, police officer, private detective, busybody. Now, it seems as though all cozies must have a theme (glass making, jewelry maker, etc.) A portion of the novel is always used to explain this theme.
I also wonder if the cozy publishing issues, that costs are now a major factor into a books page length. It’s might be easier for targeted market to accept paying $7.99 and above for a 300 page book than a 200 page book……
Rita says
As long as the price was lower also I wouldn’t mind shorter books. I sometimes look at number of pages before I buy.
Losing some descriptions and subplots would also be fine with me. I sometimes skip over descriptions when reading.
Anne says
I agree with Mollie that I think each have their place. While there’s something very satisfying about ripping through books quickly, like I did with the first few books in Sue Grafton’s alphabet series, it’s also nice to really hunker down with a story and stay a while, like with Grafton’s later alphabet books.
nanphil says
I never buy the Novellas as by the time you get started the book is over. I like a nice long book.
Carol says
How does a “book shot” differ from a short story or a novella? Isn’t it just old wine in new casks? I would prefer the length grew out of the story’s needs rather a pricing model’s needs. (Which I think is what you & Kerry Charles are both saying, yes?)
Kerry J Charles says
Carol, I couldn’t agree more! Tell me a good story – that’s all I want! The length should evolve from it, not from a profit motive (be it a short book or long). Sadly, that’s not the way our world works any longer.
Kimmie says
Carol, as I was sitting here reading this, that was my exact thought too. Bookshot is just updated new lingo for novella. I do like all the good things that he is promoting but in my thinking, he’s talking about creating something that’s already being done. Lots of authors have novellas as in-between books. And as far as what I see when I peruse Amazon or B&N, there are lots of new authors breaking in with novella type books, that have low prices already, and this has been happening for many years. I agree though, to me it’s about quality, not quantity. I just want to read a good book, the size truly does not matter. I guess my mood will guide me……But I do enjoy knowing I’m going to be absorbed into a book for a few hours or more. Eager to see what happens when the rest of the world catches on and this all becomes the next fad.
$7.99 for 300+ or 4.89 for 150…….if I was comparison shopping, I can see already what the better deal is. =)
Fran says
I have to agree with the two of you on that! Length shouldn’t be based on a “standard”. Whatever it takes to tell the story, be a a little longer or shorter… I feel like the very short ones would see like the story is being told in a rush to save pages! I do read the “between the numbers” novellas in the series I like though, just so as not to miss anything in my favorite series.
Rachel A says
I am not generally a fan of novellas and short fiction, preferring the novel as the longer length allows for character development, more plot, description and everything else. Of course there are talented writers who can pack all that into under 150 pages, but not many. Having an imposed cap on 150 pages is as artificial as insisting a novel cannot be longer than exactly twice that. A book should be as long as it needs to be.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rachel A, you are so right! After I posted this entry, my husband read it and said exactly what you are saying about the 150 pages being a quota also.
Marcia says
I like the idea of less pages. Sometimes the thought of reading 300+ pages is enough to make me not start reading a book. With so many demands on my limited time I have to draw the line somewhere. Shorter stories by favorite authors help fill the gaps when I don’t have the time or focus to read a longer story but give me the satisfaction of a good read. And the shorter stories fill the gaps and keep me connected to characters when I’m waiting for the next release in a series.
MJ says
I would find 150 pages WAY too short, mainly because I also enjoy the other story lines with character interactions. Oftentimes those interactions are ‘side issues’ separate from the mystery.
BUT, here’s the question? Are you talking about 300 pages in a paperback, oversize paperback, or a hard cover? I’m not sure a 300 page hardcover translates into a 300 page paperback. Even the size of print in these various formats makes a difference. I’ve seen some paperbacks with very small font size and others with a larger font and layout (I don’t mean LP books). A certain ‘word count’ makes more sense if publishers were trying to keep things ‘equal’. I also wonder if a publisher uses the 300 page rule as a minimum, so stories are fleshed out.
However, I strongly object to authors using ‘inane’ detail to fill up their page ‘quota’ (and several do). I enjoy descriptive/scenic detail when it’s well done, and will comment on it. (Danna has said she likes to read wintery stories in Jan/Feb. Well, if there wasn’t a description of snowstorms, icy roads, picturesque icy trees, etc. throughout the book, we wouldn’t know it was winter!). I find ‘atmosphere’ an integral/pleasurable part of the story.
I finished two books in the last week that varied widely in page count — Murder on Wheels, 184 pages and Crime & Poetry, 345 pages. I don’t want to take away anything from the first book, but I enjoyed the second book better because the characters/story lines are well-developed, involving a more intrinsic plot.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, you make a really good point about stories being fleshed out.
When I read Stacy T’s comment above, I thought about how you sometimes skip over some of the details surrounding themes that authors now have in their Cozies. If someone doesn’t needlepoint, there’s a chance she/he will find details about needlepointing boring >>> however a needlepointer would find those details really interesting and well-placed in the Cozy…
C.T. Collier says
My editor, citing a well-known agent whose name I can’t recall, advised 75,000-90,000 words for a cozy/traditional mystery. Not meant as a hard-and-fast rule but as a guideline to what the reader is expecting. When I opted to use a comfortable-on-older-eyes font and font size, my book grew larger than 300 pages. However, readers are telling me it’s a fast read. Specific to your question, I’m unlikely to read a Book Shot, nor am I a fan of novellas. Most books I enjoy are 300 or more pages.
stellans says
As several others said, I prefer my books to have well-developed characters and a fleshed-out plot. I prefer my books to have more than 150 pages, though maybe requiring a 300-page quota is a bit much. And personally, I can usually tell if an author is just stuffing a book with ‘filler’ rather than really telling their story. I don’t tend to buy those authors again.
I rarely buy novellas (although I might if it were by an author I adore, and part of a series I enjoy), and I do not plan to buy Book Shots, which to me sound more like books for those who are too busy to read.
And frankly, Mr. Patterson strikes me as a sort of literary Thomas Kinkade, with an assembly line of books going out under his name for the monetary benefit but without much of his own true input.
Kitty says
I like to get to know the characters. So I would not like shorter books, but they Don’t have to be 300 pages.
Ann says
Cozy mysteries used to have a lower word count compared to the 80,000+ word count required by publishers for other books, but this has changed. The result is often while reading a book finding the pages obviously padded with unnecessary verbiage to complete the word count requirement. After doing some research a few years ago I found that people are reading more 150 page books these days and my published cozies now have a lower word count.
James Patterson seems to be a smart businessman, but I’ve noticed for years that his books are not written by him and have “with” added to his name as author. Clive Cussler did the same thing and “his” books were disappointing after that point.
Marie says
I would have zero interest in such a short book. I’d rather just get a collection of short stories like Grantchester.
Margaret M. says
I love it. Yes, there have always been collections of short stories by single authors or groups of authors; but I love this idea as another option. There are many great novellas out there. One of my favorites is THE STEPFORD WIVES by Ira Levin. 145 pages and he weaves an amazing tale so well it has been made into 2 movies. I would love to see more authors try this.
SheilaUK says
I would read them. I prefer shorter books. I dislike padding and long description and find the sub plots and “soap” elements (eg romances) quite boring.
Andi says
What an interesting discussion you started, Danna! People who are interested in more details should look up the article about him and this new series, etc. that the Washington Post just published the other day. Esp. authors or those interested in the publishing end of things. I will admit that I had had a bias against Patterson and how he did things, until I learned more about him (before this article). I work in a school library and he became a kinda hero for me when he started his exciting books for kids because he wants them to read. He has paid for commercials for books. He has given tons of money to reading initiatives and to build up school libraries and literacy. He is really trying to get boys esp. to read. I work with mostly low-income students and lots of English learners. My first thought–these books would be perfect for their parents! Short, exciting, inexpensive would fit the needs of many of them–hard workers, single parents. etc. Our kids need to see their parents reading!! Then I thought, I wish he would do this with a kids series! We are having great success with turning our students into readers, but they hit a stage when they get a little older and they want books that seem “older” as they are getting older–ghosts and suspense and fast-moving adventure. Something like this would help them transition from just knowing how to read, to wanting to read–and they and their parents will go on to longer books later. Very few of our families go to the library in our town (altho. more of them have recently).
I would once in awhile enjoy a short thriller, I don’t want to spend my time on longer ones (thrillers, not my faves), but at certain times of stress it’s hard to have time and concentrate on my beloved longer books. JP has created a lot of jobs for authors and others, he has millions of ideas for plots, I think his series vary depending on the ability of the authors to write.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andi, I saw another interview of James Patterson that told about how he is the driving force in all of the books he publishes. The plots are his. I think it’s great that he gives credit to his co-authors rather than using the “ghost-writer” technique. I agree about him helping other authors. Also, his philanthropic efforts are commendable. (I know both my son and daughter would have loved the books James Patterson is releasing for children.)
Ruth says
This was a very interesting chat. I never look at a book and see how many pages before I read it. Just finished one of Mr. Patterson’s book and I keep noticing thicker paper, larger print and more chapters that to me is trying to make the reader think that they are getting their moneys worth. I like some short stories and I really enjoy a writer of a series I like slipping in a novella so I can stay in touch with the characters I’ve come to love. I know I only read one of James Patterson’s series now and I don’t think I’d miss that much. On the other hand I’d miss Jan Karon’s books if she stopped writing, everyone of her books is a gem.
Margaret StashEmpress says
I don’t like the idea of 150 page cozies. To me that’s like a Diet entree — if it’s at all good — then it doesn’t have enough “meat” to fill you up — it leaves you hungry & wanting something more! And if its not good — you end up disappointed either way.
As others have said — 150 pages is just not enough space to fill out the characters, their back stories, a well crafted plot, etc.
Bad enough they’re cutting out some of our favorite cozy series — now they want to give us half size books? NO THANKS!!!!
Fran says
While I was reading these comments about “Bookshots”, I was reminded of something the older readers may remember… Readers Digest Condensed Books. Remember them? Or if you are young, you might have seen them offered at garage or estate sales — a “regular size” hardback book with three or four condensed novels in it for quick reads. They took out the “extraneous details” and left half the book. They were a quick read, but you missed a lot of what the original book offered… our town library offers only “condensed” audio versions instead of the whole book, and many of us who live there go to the next town’s library because we can get the whole book on audio, so sometimes shorter is not exactly better!!
Margaret StashEmpress says
Oh that does bring back memories!!! My parents had many of the Reader’s Digest Condensed Books and I read many of the classics that way — as a child. (Ok, I was a precocious reader — my mother taught me to read at age 2 — out of self-defense because otherwise I was nagging her to read to me all day — and by first grade I was reading all of my parents magazines — good thing in the mid 60’s they were still clean enough for kids!) — so by about 3rd grade or so — I was reading all those books. And that was fine — for a child!!!! But no, as an adult I would NOT appreciate it — maybe for something I was required to read — but a book that I’m reading for pleasure — like my cozies! — nuh uh! I want to savor every word & not miss out on “details” — like plot development & character development & so on. (And to this day, I still use the phrase “Reader’s Digest Condensed version” when referring to “making a long story short” — and my kids have NO idea what I’m talking about!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret StashEmpress, except these wouldn’t be abridged books. They’d be complete books that just are a little shorter. However, some of the great characteristics of Cozies are that the characters are well-fleshed out and the settings are described in detail…
Barb says
I remember Readers Digest condensed books. My mother read them because she was short on time and loved to read. She always said when she had more time she wanted to read some of the stories in the full length versions to find out what she had missed. I don’t care for the shorter books, if I’m going to read a book I want it to be complete, nothing left out. It may take a little longer to finish but you’re not missing half the story.
Trice says
For me, the more pages the better. I like nothing more than a 500 – 1000 page book, which is not easy to come these days.
I always thought publishing requirements were not so much page count as word count.
DatPixieGirl says
As a literature scholar, it amazes me that people have such strong feelings about page count. To me, the length of a book is entirely irrelevant in determining whether or not I will enjoy it. I have dearly loved some novellas that were nearly micro-fiction, and yet the unabridged Count of Monte Cristo (helluva tome, that one) is also one of my favorite books.
My primary concern is whether or not the author’s writing style appeals to me. If it does not, I won’t be able to make it through more than ten pages, regardless of how good the characters/plot are.
Leanne says
I loved Jessica Beck’s Doughnut series until the author started shortening them per “reader request.”
If it’s a great book, I can’t imagine any avid reader wanting it to be shorter. The most memorable books I recall, I never wanted to end.
Enough said…
Kathleen K says
I saw the Sunday morning bit and thought it was great. As for Book Shots, they sound like novellas to me. I’m normally not interested in those because they are short & I feel cheated- like there was so much more to the story. My mother loves the 150 page romances. To each their own. I have a hard time paying the prices now wanted for anything under 150 pages and I have to think hard on the expensive e-books. I’m happy to support & use my library.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kathleen K, it looks to me like the consensus over here is that shorter Cozies aren’t the way to go…
Pam says
I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday and saw a whole display of Patterson’s BookShots. I agree with the comment above that I might read one if it pertained to a series I am currently reading–right now I am just reading his Women’s Murder Club and Alex Cross series. They are a decent size book, definitely not a novella, but shorter than one of his 300-400 page novels.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pam, thanks for the BookShot information. I haven’t seen one yet, other than the pictures of them on the internet… I like that Patterson will be bundling some of his stories that were previously only available in ebook format. I don’t think it’s particularly nice that most ebook format stories by authors aren’t available to people who only read “real paper” books…
Sheryl says
I have always enjoyed Agatha Christie and Louie L’Amour’s styles. The books were tightly written. We did get to know the characters, yet the focus was on the mystery. Sometimes longer books spend too much time on the blah, blah, blah. I find myself thinking, “just get ON with it, please!”. There are several good writers who’s works are of some length, yet the writing is still tight and the “who dunnit” moves along. So, my thoughts are that there is plenty of room for both, so long as the writing is good.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheryl, you are so correct! Both lengths are good, however, when I start thinking what you find yourself thinking, I have to wonder about a word count…
Lenna Wyatt says
I have just finished writing a 262 page cozy mystery. This whole column has been very informative since I’ve also written over 20 short stories. Now to find a publisher.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lenna, I wish you luck finding a publisher, and I’m glad you’ve gotten some use out of the site!