Word count of a novel
Writing Advice

How Long Should My Book Be – A Word Count Guide

The ideal length of a book is a topic that writers have debated for years. How long should my book be? is a question almost every new author has asked themselves. Word count is dependent on many variables – the book’s genre, the trend at the time of publication, the author’s preference – all of these factors come into play when determining the length of your manuscript but a standard must be set so that authors have a benchmark to work toward.

My shortest book was around 40,000 words and the longest was 105,000, and I can quite confidently say that while it took longer, it was not more difficult to write the longer book, because the genre naturally lent itself to more words. If you are just beginning your author journey, don’t worry too much about word count, Your job right now is to simply finish your first draft. Our step-by-step writing guide might be helpful in that regard.

Factors that Influence Book Length

Genre:

Different genres have different expectations for book length. Fantasy novels, especially high fantasy, are known for expansive worlds and intricate plots. Authors like J.R.R Tolkien and George R.R Martin, for example, have produced tomes that span hundreds of thousands of words. Thrillers and mysteries, on the other hand, tend to be more concise due to their fast-paced nature.

Audience Expectation:

It is important to consider your readership when determining the length of your book. Young Adult novels, for example, might range between 50000-80000 words, which is a manageable length for younger readers. Middle-grade books are even shorter, ranging between 20000-50000 thousand words. Adult Fiction, on the other hand, has a huge scope. Depending on the genre, these could start at around forty thousand words and go up to hundreds of thousands.

Purpose & Content:

Some books lend themselves to running longer, based on their content matter. For example, a book on the history of the Roman Empire would be significantly longer than a book on paint technique for dummies. High-fantasy novels, which rely on world-building, would also run longer than a book set in the real world, which requires very little.

Publishing Model:

If traditionally published, the publisher can influence a novel’s final word count. There might be specific industry standards and guidelines for manuscript length, which in turn would be influenced by market trends. A debut author, for example, might be advised to increase or reduce their word count to improve saleability.

If self-published, the author has more freedom to decide upon word length, but reader expectations should always be considered.

Production Cost:

The longer the book, the more expensive it is to produce. Longer books have a higher page count and cost more to print, which in turn increases the sales price, making the book more expensive for the reader.

Reader Preference:

Reader preference probably plays the most crucial role in determining book length. Some readers prefer a hefty tome that they can sink their teeth into, while others want a quick beach read they can finish in a day. This usually goes hand in hand with genre consideration. Authors must engage with readers and stay up to date with what their audience wants so they can aim for a word count that best suits their readership.

Average Words Count for a Novel by Genre:

(Note: these are guidelines and not set in stone)

Fiction Word Counts:

  • Literary Fiction: 70,000 to 120,000
  • Mystery/Crime/Thriller: 70,000 to 90,000
  • Science Fiction: 80,000 to 120,000
  • Fantasy: 90,000 to 140,000
  • Romance: 70,000 to 100,000
  • Historical Fiction: 80,000 to 120,000
  • Young Adult: 50,000 to 80,000

Non-Fiction Word Counts:

(Note these are industry guidelines and not set in stone)

  • Biography/Autobiography: 70,000 to 100,000
  • Memoir: 60,000 to 90,000
  • Self-Help: 40,000 to 70,000
  • History: 70,000 to 120,000
  • Technical: 60,000 to 120,000
  • Business: 50,000 to 80,000
  • Travel: 40,000 to 70,000

Children’s Books Word Counts:

  • Picture books: 500 to 1000
  • Early Readers: 1000 to 5000
  • Chapter Books: 4000 to 15000
  • Middle Grade: 20000-50000

Cookbooks Word Count:

  • The word count of a cookbook will fluctuate wildly, based on how many recipes are included, but they are typically between 5000 to 15000 words.

Short Works Word Counts:

  • Flash Fiction: 300 to 1500
  • Short Story: 1500 to 30000
  • Novella: 30000 to 50000

Of course, exceptional manuscripts can deviate greatly from these industry norms and, as such, they should be used only as a guideline. Ultimately, your story will determine how long or how short your work should be, though you should always keep reader expectations and publisher preferences in mind.

FAQ’s

How do I increase my manuscript word count?

If you feel that your word count is not enough for the genre that you are writing in, you should consider adding a new scene or introducing a new character. Try not to merely add filler, which could make your manuscript overly verbose without improving the reader experience.