How Long is a Book? settle Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

How long should your book be? How long a book should be depends on the genre and the intentions of the writer. If you want to self-publish, it doesn't matter how long your book is or isn't because you have total control. But if you're seeking a traditional New York publisher, here are some guidelines for how long a book should be.

How Long is a Book? settle Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

How Long is a Book? settle Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

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How Long is a Book? settle Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

How Long is a Book? settle Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

Please note: These are generalized guidelines for genre fiction only. There are all the time exceptions to the "rules." Be sure to do your own explore based on your unique needs and goals. These lists of sub-genres are great but not enTirely inclusive. There are all the time many ways to concentrate genres.

How long is a fantasy novel?

A fantasy novel contains almost 80,000 to 100,000 words.

Sub-genres of fantasy novels include: alternate history, Bangsian fantasy, comic fantasy, modern fantasy (urban fantasy), dark fantasy, fAirytale fantasy, heroic fantasy, high fantasy, historical fantasy (Celtic fantasy, steampunk, wuxia, medieval fantasy, prehistoric fantasy), adolescent fantasy, low fantasy, fantasy of manners (mythic fiction), romantic fantasy, science fantasy (sword and planet, dying earth), superhero fantasy, sword and sorcery, and more.

How long is a romance novel?

A stand-alone (single title) romance novel contains between 80,000 and 100,000 words. Kind romance (such as those imprints published by Harlequin) are generally short. Each imprint has a definite word count. If you want to write for Harlequin, identify your imprint first.

Sub-genres of romance novels include: adventure romance, African-American romance, Kind romance (aka "series"), chick-lit, modern romance, dark fantasy, erotic romance, erotica, fantasy, futuristic romance, Glbt romance, gothic romance, historical romance, inspirational romance, interracial romance, mainstream, military romance, multi-cultural romance, mystery/thriller, paranormal romance, Regency romance, science fiction, single-title romance, suspense, sweet romance, time-travel romance, traditional romance, urban fantasy, woMen's fiction, World War Ii romance, young adult, and more.

How long is a historical fiction novel?

Historical fiction novels are generally between 85,000 to 100,000 words, though some are longer.

Subgenres of historical fiction novels include: alternate history, historical fantasy, historical romance, sagas, sword and sandal, historical whodunit, sub-genres pertaining to era (as in Renaissance, medieval, Civil War, Wwii, etc.), and more.

How long is a difficulty novel?

Mystery novels vary in distance between 75,000 and 100,000 words. If the difficulty has eleMents of thrillers, the book may be longer. If the difficulty is a "cozy" or part of a series, it may be shorter.

Sub-genres of difficulty novels include: amateur sleuth mystery, courtroom drama, cozy mystery, crime, fantasy, hardboiled mystery, historical mystery, healing mystery, police procedural, hidden detective, serial killer mystery, science fiction, supernatural, suspense, technical thriller, thriller, true crime, Western, whodunit, and more.

How long is a thriller novel?

A thriller novel can be between 90,000 and 100,000 words or more.

Sub-genres of thrillers include: operation thrillers, conspiracy thrillers, crime thrillers, disaster thrillers, drama, eco-thrillers, erotic thrillers, legal thrillers, spy thrillers, techno thrillers, and more.

How long is a nightmare novel?

Horror genre novels can comprise between 80,000 and 100,000 words.

Subgenres of nightmare include: body horror, cross genre (slipstream), dark, detective, erotic, extreme, ghost, gothic, Lovecraft, noir, occult, psychological, quiet, supernatural, surreal, suspense, weird, and more.

How long is a young adult novel?

Young adult (or Ya) novels can between 40,000 and 75,000 words, depending on the targeted age group.

Young adult novels generally have the same sub-genres as adult novels. Edgy Ya tackles controversial or tough issues.

How long is a Western novel?

Western novels can be between 45,000 and 75,000 words.

Western sub-genres include: coming-of-age, buffalo runners, celebrity, detective, fantasy, Gothic, horses, Indians, inspirational, land rush, law and lawMen, mining, Mormons, mountain Men, mysterious rider, railroads, romance, science fiction, series, sweet and savage, the West still lives, town marshal, wagons West, and more.

How Long is a Book? settle Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

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