Dear Editor…
How do you tally the word count in a picture book manuscript? Do I include the art notes and author’s note? Or is that part of the backmatter?
Sincerely,
S. L.
Dear S. L. …
Don’t include art notes in your word count, and don’t count the title. Editors want to know how long the text will be in the final book, and you won’t be printing art notes. As for backmatter, including it in the word count makes the story look long, which is undesirable for a picture book generally. But it will be printed in the final book. So, I recommend separately listing both the main text’s word count and the main text with backmatter on the front page of the manuscript, upper right: “Text: 550 words. Text with backmatter: 981 words.” In the query letter, however, cite only the main text’s word count: “In my 435-word picture book manuscript…” That’s what they care about during submission, because backmatter is conditional at this stage. Later, your editor might want to add other things to that backmatter, like a glossary or activities. And sales or marketing teams might want a say in the backmatter too, as the publisher looks to expand the substance of the book to make it more saleable. You and your book team will settle on backmatter items that are substantive, interesting, and value-adding.
Happy writing!
The Editor
The Editor, Deborah Halverson, has been editing books for thirty years and specializes in picture books, Middle Grade/Young Adult fiction and nonfiction, and New Adult fiction. For her editorial guidance in making your manuscript ready for submission to agents and publishers or for self-publishing, click Editorial services. Learn more in her books: Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction.