(And Does Genre Matter?)
One of the first questions new writers ask is:
“How long should my book be?”
Right behind, “Am I allowed to drink wine while writing?”
(Spoiler: yes, obviously.)
Here’s the truth:
There’s no single “correct” word count for a book.
But there are some expectations, especially by genre.
Let’s break it all down so you know what’s standard, what’s flexible, and what rules you can totally ignore (with style).
First Things First: Word Count, Not Page Count
Forget page numbers for now. Page count depends on formatting, font, trim size, and whether you like to hit “Enter” every five seconds.
Word count is the real metric publishers, editors, and readers care about.
So let’s talk in words, not pages.
General Word Count Ranges (A Quick Cheat Sheet)
Here are some common ranges for traditionally published books. Indie authors can absolutely break these, and often do, but it’s good to know what readers expect.
Novels (Adult fiction)
70,000 – 100,000 words
(Sweet spot: 85K)
Romance
50,000 – 90,000 words
(Steamy novellas can be shorter)
Fantasy / Sci-Fi
90,000 – 130,000 words
(Worldbuilding takes space, baby)
Thrillers / Mysteries
70,000 – 90,000 words
(Readers want twists, not tangents)
Young Adult (YA)
50,000 – 80,000 words
(Teen readers, tight pacing)
Middle Grade
25,000 – 50,000 words
(Shorter chapters, simpler language)
Nonfiction
50,000 – 80,000 words
(Straight to the point works best)
Again, these are guidelines, not commandments. And if you’d like help turning those word count ballparks into something you can actually stick with, take a look at Setting Realistic Writing Goals (That Don’t Kill Your Soul).
So… What Happens If You’re Under or Over?
Too Short?
Readers might feel like they didn’t get a full story.
Amazon also won’t let you price super short books above a certain point. And no one wants to pay $9.99 for a 17-minute read unless it’s life-changing.
Too Long?
Editing gets expensive. Printing costs go up. And unless you’re writing epic fantasy or literary fiction, readers might hesitate at a doorstopper from a debut author.
But here’s the key: if your story needs the space, take it. If it doesn’t, trim the fat.
Does Genre Really Matter?
Kind of, yes.
Genre comes with expectations—not just for plot, but for pacing, tone, and yes, length.
Romance readers don’t want a 500-page slow burn unless it’s emotionally devastating and full of payoff.
Mystery readers want the crime solved before they hit retirement age.
Fantasy readers will read 700 pages if the world feels real and the dragons are emotionally complex.
So yes, genre matters, but it’s not the boss of you.
What About Series?
If you’re writing a series, you can afford to start smaller. Think of Book One as the pilot episode.
You don’t need to dump your entire world history or backstory. Let the series grow naturally, both in word count and scope.
Some authors start with a 50K Book One, and each book after that gets longer. Others keep a consistent word count the whole way through.
Either works. Just don’t burn yourself out trying to cram five books into one.
Indie Authors Have More Freedom (But Also More Risk)
Traditional publishers often follow word count rules to keep costs predictable. Indie authors can write whatever they want. But with great freedom comes great responsibility.
Longer books mean higher editing and formatting costs.
Shorter books are harder to price competitively.
Either way, make sure the story earns its length.
If a 42,000-word novella hits hard and feels complete, that’s a win.
If your 135,000-word epic needs to be split into two books, go ahead and split it.
But Really… How Long Should It Be?
Here’s the rule:
As long as it needs to be, and no longer.
Write the story. Get it all out. Don’t edit for word count until you’ve finished the draft. You might be surprised where you land.
And when you’re done? Check where you are.
• Too short? Look for places to expand. Add scenes that need breathing room or characters who deserve a moment.
• Too long? Be ruthless. Cut what’s boring, repetitive, or only there because you love it.
Books aren’t built by hitting a target number.
They’re built by telling the story as clearly, cleanly, and honestly as you can.
Final Thoughts: Word Count Isn’t the Point
Readers don’t remember how many words were in your book. They remember how it made them feel.
So yes, check your genre. Know the ballpark.
But don’t let the numbers boss you around. Let the story lead.
You can always revise. You can always trim.
You can always add a chapter, split it in two, or delete that one weird dream sequence with the talking goat.
What matters most?
You wrote the thing.
And that’s something to celebrate, no matter the word count.
You might also enjoy:
Do you need an outline? Plotting vs. pantsing
Pacing: How not to bore or overwhelm your reader