Is it a book?

[Del]

I wrote an 88,000 word MS.

Is it a novel before it is published?

Is it a book before it is bound?

Do they snicker if I call it either?

[WildScribe]

It's a novel.. I'm not sure about the book part, but I would say that's your choice.

[PeeDee]

Are you a writer before it's published?

Are you an author before it's bound?

Yes you are.

Yes it is. :)

[maestrowork]

I agree with Wild... you've written a novel. Congrats. Now go get them.

[Del]

Getting them. Currently waiting for the good word.

[IrishScribbler]

Are you a writer before it's published?

Are you an author before it's bound?

Yes you are.

Yes it is. :)

Sounds like a folk song.

[johnzakour]

From World Book: Novel 1. a story with characters and a plot, long enough to fill one or more volumes. Novels are usually about people, scenes, and happenings such as might be met in real life.

So yes you've written a novel.

[Willowmound]

I guess Fantasy books aren't novels then... ;)

[alaskamatt17]

I've written 3 novels, with one stalled at about 70,000 words, and another just started at about 13,000 words.

[Jamesaritchie]

I'd say it's a novel, but not a book. A book contains a novel, but is not itself a novel.

[Pamster]

I agree with the others, it's a novel. :)

[Del]

Okay, I've written a novel, however, it is not yet a book.

Is "I've written a book" proper semantics? If we could write books would we need binders?

Words become odd when you look too closely.

I'm going to go work on my book...er novel.

[HorrorWriter]

Congrats, Delarege! I agree with everyone else, it's a novel. When you address this in your query letter, say you've written a novel. In my experience, when you say novel to agents, it means fiction, and book means non-fiction. Just stick with novel. Good luck!:D