How to Write a Masonic Book Part II
I knew a Masonic researcher a good few years ago, that told me had a million words of a ground breaking book on the origin of Freemasonry. While we’re still awaiting the book, the word count of a work on Freemasonry is an interesting question that is often posed to me.
My first book The Genesis of Freemasonry, being my PhD, was 80,000 words, as was my
second book The Transformation of Freemasonry, which was the part of my PhD research that was cut from my thesis, providing me with a ‘sequel’ of sorts.
Some of my other books have been around 30,000 words; such as my Quick Guide to Freemasonry, which was commissioned by Lewis Masonic and the word length and design was fitted to requirements. My Liverpool Masonic Rebellion book was also around 30,000 words; it told a story and its word length was perfect to present that story. It formed a book of around 120 pages including references, index and bibliography.
Some Masonic books that I have read have been around 20,000 words; though these tend to be slim paperback Masonic guides, which serve a purpose of their own; to guide new initiates through the Craft as they continue along their personal Masonic pathway. Then you have lodge histories, which can have an even smaller word length, depending on the age of the lodge of course.
So, when thinking of a project, don’t get hung up on word length; you need to plan, you need to set out your research and perhaps adjust your plan as time goes on. Book ideas evolve, and may finish off being completely different from the original concept. Flexibility is always key. An example is my Lost Rites and Rituals of Freemasonry book, which became a massive work, so I split it into the Lost Rites series, and I decided to expand on the Richard Carlile piece and the Pierre Lambert de Lintot section, as they captured my interest and their particular stories needed updating.
Keep your questions coming, and if I can assist in any way regarding your ideas to write a book, just let me know.