Does appendix count toward word count in novel?

[OneGrassRoot]

I'm getting conflicting info and would appreciate your input.

Thanks :)

[DavidDvorkin]

1. It counts, but the question is, why have an appendix in a novel?

I can see it in an historical novel, but not any other kind.

Even in historicals, appendices could put editors off.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. I agree...it was a compromise

Rather than have an information dump in the midst of the narrative, my compromise was to have an appendix. Now there is the word count issue, hence my question. :)

I realize there are tremendous negatives with the appendix. My hope is that the co-author will realize this and agree to leave it out at this submission stage. If lightning strikes and the book sells AND develops any sort of a following, the appendix could be provided at the website and/or as a companion (I realize that's a bit presumptuous for first-time authors, but what the heck...lol...one can dream, eh?).

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Not presumptious at all. That's an excellent idea.

Sell the novel in fairly standard form, and then provide extra information for interested readers via some other method. Doing that on a Web site is a great idea. I think some authors have done that. I've daydreamed -- I mean, thought -- about doing that, too.

[Orrex]

4. Be careful, though

Make sure that the novel stands on its own without requiring the reader to buy the secret decoder ring in order to understand it. Doing so would cheapen the work and likely make readers feel cheated. An appendix, either online or in the book itself, can be a great source of information as long as the story doesn't collapse without it it. In that case, it's not an appendix; it's a vital organ, and it needs to be included with the text.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Point well taken, Orrex :)

No, I made sure any vital information is included in the storyline. The appendix itself is not necessary, it's a "bonus."

Thanks!

[mainer]

6. No. It does not and should not.

Speaking as a novelist with 21 published novels -- an appendix does not count. An appendix is an addition to the storyline -- it's the word count of the novel itself that matters.

[valerief]

7. Not if you've had an appendectomy. Nyuk. Nyuk. nt

[Orrex]

8. And if they do it wrong, all you have left is a semicolon.

That's all for me. Don't forget to tip your copy editor.

[valerief]

9. What a smart bunny. You deserve a caret. nt