The Optimal Length for Your Novel
In the world of literature, the question of the perfect length for a novel has long been debated. However, recent statistical analysis of best-selling fiction books suggests that a novel around 100,000 words strikes the ideal balance between quality, marketability, and reader engagement.
According to research in large-scale novel generation, novels around this length balance detail richness and coherence best, while longer novels tend to lose meaning when compressed or summarized. This aligns with industry norms and market expectations, where novels between about 80,000 and 120,000 words generally perform well commercially.
A closer examination of the data reveals that the sweet spot for the length of a best-selling fiction book is between 60,000 and 80,000 words. Surprisingly, there are a number of books that exceed 100,000 words, but they seem to be less common.
The published median for the length of books is around 64,000 words, with a significant number of books falling below this mark. Books under 20,000 words may include children's books, graphic novels, or poetry, suggesting the presence of pictures and illustrations. On the other hand, a book that seems too small might not be appealing to readers.
Interestingly, the possibility of authors selling short-stories disguised as books exists, but they don't appear to be successful in terms of sales. A closer examination of the under 20,000 word set also suggests a potential market for short stories to be read during commutes.
In contrast, classic novels like Animal Farm, with its 29,966 words, and War and Peace, at 544,406 words, are exceptions to this rule. While these novels are undeniably masterpieces, they require a significant amount of time and effort to read.
Doug Lewars, a prolific author with eight books published on Smashwords.com, is one such writer who has navigated the length of his novels. His works, like many others, fall within the ideal range, contributing to his success on the platform.
Smashwords.com, a self-publishing platform, has published an impressive 16,567,937,313 words over 466,440 books, with an average of 35,520 words per volume. This data further supports the notion that the optimal length for a novel is between 60,000 and 80,000 words.
While the ideal length for a novel may vary depending on the genre, style, and content, the statistical evidence suggests that a novel around 100,000 words best balances quality, marketability, and reader engagement in bestselling fiction. Aiming for at least 60,000 words and not exceeding 100,000 words seems to be the practical advice for aspiring authors.
In the end, the simple answer to the length of a novel is that it should be just long enough to tell the story effectively, engaging the reader from start to finish. A book that reaches 250 pages (approximately 69,999 words) looks good on the shelf, but it's the story within that truly matters.
- For authors seeking editing tips, it would be beneficial to aim for a length between 60,000 and 100,000 words when writing bestselling fiction, as this range appears to balance quality, marketability, and reader engagement.
- To cater to readers' preferences in entertainment, authors might find it prudent to consider editing their novels to fit a length between 60,000 and 80,000 words, as this is the sweet spot for the length of a best-selling fiction book.
