Must the appendix count toward total word count?

[nccreative]

I'm seeing conflicting info on this. I need to trim the word count, and it would be sooooo helpful if the appendix didn't have to be included.

Many thanks! :)

[nccreative]

Also, the appendix is not a MUST. I collaborated on this novel, and the information contained in the appendix is very important to the co-author, so the compromise was to include it in the appendix. Think Lord of the Rings.

[IceCreamEmpress]

Yes, it does. Word count is as much for the publishers as for the readers; it's going to cost the publishers as much to produce a 400-page book with 50 pages of appendix as it would for them to produce a 400-page book that was all narrative.

[Gillhoughly]

Yes, but those are usually for NON-fiction.

New fictions rarely have them. LOTR and others by established authors are the exception. Remember that LOTR was first published in the mid 50s, so the device is dated and can be seen as pretentious.

Your editor will decide whether or not one is even necessary for the book--especially a debut novel.

I would suggest leave it out for the submission process, then have it in when an editor or agent requests a full and let them know about it.

I would suggest a talk with the co-author. He or she may have worked hard to assemble a lot of background info and want the validation of inclusion--but is leaving it in worth losing the opportunity of making a sale?

However important the info is to the co-author, your editor may see otherwise.

Besides--if the book sells you guys can put the appendix up on your WEBSITE!!!

An appendix can be seen as pages of infodump, which is the death knell for an otherwise good story.

You'll find this in the Turkey City Lexicon (http://www.sfwa.org/writing/turkeycity.html)under: "I've suffered for my art (and now it's your turn)."

It's a wise magician who keeps the secret of the illusion. The magic goes away when you explain it.

And above all, LESS IS MORE.

[nccreative]

and have pressed the point about it being seen as an "information dump."

The person wanted this info WITHIN the narrative - which is just an absolute no-no, of course, and breaks up the storyline tremendously. So my compromise was an appendix; then I questioned the word count issue.

Thank you both for adding more clarity about this. Much appreciated. :)

[Quossum]

I remember reading the Pern novels, and one (or more?) had an appendix in the back listing all the characters mentioned, the names of their dragons, where they were located. There was also a section on the history of the planet. The very first time I read the book, though, I didn't even see it until I finished, being as I'm not one of those "flip to the back" people. In subsequent readings, I actually enjoyed that appendix very much and referred to it often. But then I'm anal like that.

--Q

[Gillhoughly]

Re: the Pern novels-- by a long-established writer with a huge fan following. As I don't have a first edition of any of them I can't say whether the first one had an appendix. As the story grew--and sales got good--an appendix became necessary.

Ditto for Lois Bujold's Vorkosigan series, so you could read them in order and have a little TV guide background on each character. In her first books that info was not there and no one missed it.

I've got a long running series and have been asked to do a lexicon of some sort, but I know the publisher won't go for it. I want to do it anyway--just so *I* can keep my own history straight!

My solution is post it on my website where readers can browse all they like for free. Your co-writer can then show off all the hard work and the folk who love that kind of thing can get their fix.

It will have *Spoiler Alert* posted, though!

Once you sell your book and (if you're lucky) get a huge reader base, then you can indulge.

[FennelGiraffe]

Back in the day, I enjoyed appendices--the genealogical charts, the maps, the timelines, the glossary, and so on--especially ones for my favorite series. Now that we have this intarwebz thingy, though, I'm firmly of the opinion it all belongs on the website.

[sanctuary6284]

I personally find that footnotes work wonders for info dumping. I have yet to read a book (fiction) where I found them obtrusive.

[James D. Macdonald]

Must the appendix count toward total word count?

Only if it's supposed to appear in the finished book.

I have yet to read a book (fiction) where I found [footnotes] obtrusive.

Clearly you have not yet read HMS Ulysses by Alistair McLain.