Novel Word Counts by the Genre

We're coming up to competition season. As such, there seems to be an increase in the number of questions and discussions online about the accepted word count range for novels.

In a previous post, I discussed the limitations that word counts can have on short stories. In a recent post, I briefly outlined what the differences were between a short story, novella and a novel. Today, we're going to compile into one list what the current accepted ranges are for debut writers heading down traditional publication roads.

Please keep in mind that this list is compiled from a range of difference sources and is only a guideline. There is always the exception to every rule. In reality, a story is as long as it needs to be to tell the story properly. However, if you are dramatically outside the accepted range, then it might mean that there is something wrong with your story developmentally. Then again, it might be perfect just the way it is.

This list is far from exhaustive.

Children's Books

• Picture Books: 300–800 words (formatted to 32 pages for final product with illustrations)
• Early Readers: 200–3,500 words (formatted to approximately 48 pages for final product)
• Chapter Books: 4,000–20,000 words
  • Although, 20,000 words might be considered too long in some circles.
• Middle Grade: 20,000–55,000 words
  • Upper MG, aim for 40,000–55,000 words
  • Lower MG, aim for 20,000–35,000 words
• Young Adult Romance: 50,000–80,000 words
  • Sweet spot for YA is 70,000–80,000 words
• Young Adult Fantasy / Science Fiction: 50,000–120,000 words

Nonfiction

• Standard Nonfiction (Business, Political Science, Psychology, History, etc.): 70,000–80,000 words
• Memoir: 80,000–100,000 words
  • Ideal length is 80,000–90,000 words
• Biography: 80,000–200,000 words
• Travel / Nature: 40,000–70,000 words
• How-to / Self-Help: 20,000–50,000 words

Genre Fiction

• Romance: 40,000–100,000 words
  • Mills & Boon romances are typically 45,000–65,000 words
  • Standalone romances are of the longer variety
• Science Fiction / Fantasy: 90,000–120,000 (and sometimes 150,000) words
  • Ideal range is 100,000–115,000 words
• Historical Fiction: 80,000–120,000 words
  • Ideal range is 90,000–100,000 words
• Westerns: 50,000–80,000 words
  • Sweet spot for Westerns is 65,000 words
• Mystery / Crime: 50,000–90,000 words
  • Sweet spot for Mystery is 80,000 words
  • Crime noir can be in the order of 55,000 words
• Thrillers:  80,000–100,000 words
  • Sweet spot for Thrillers is 90,000–95,000 words
• Horror: 80,000–100,000 words
• Literary: 40,000–120,000 words
  • Ideal range for "book club" is 80,000–100,000 words

Sources used to compile this list:

• A Word Count Guide for 18 Book Genres, Including Fiction and Non-Fiction (The Write Life)
• Length Matters: A Word Count Guide by Genre (Career Authors)
• Why Word Count Matters When You Submit Your Book (The Artful Editor)