Writing.Com General Discussion

A book should be as long as it needs to be and quite right. But moving aside from my original question, the debate about length is an interesting one when it comes to children and those in particular who maybe find a long book intimidating. Of course the hope are that the story will be gripping enough to hold them to the last page. Speaking from experience I didn't fully read a book until I was 17. I'm Dyslexic and found longer books, more challenging books, intimidating. I hope things have changed for kids who may be in the position I was in back in the 70s. They have a lot more - easy reads, high adventure, fantasy, film tie-ins etc. I guess if trying to reach as many readers as possible you don't want to alienate anyone with the novels length. Of course this could all become a bit of a minefield, so best to refer back to what I said at the beginning of this piece - A book should be as long as it needs to be and quite right.