What's the Desired Length for Your Novel
In the world of fiction, the length of a novel can significantly impact its appeal to readers. A well-crafted story can range from relatively short works to extensive novels, each catering to different genres and reader preferences.
The novel "Animal Farm" by George Orwell, for instance, is 29,966 words long. While this length may be suitable for some works, best-selling fiction books generally fall within a broader range. According to various studies, the average word count for best-selling fiction books usually falls between 70,000 and 100,000 words, with many adult fiction bestsellers clustering around 75,000 to 95,000 words.
Literary and general fiction often balance thematic depth and pacing within this range. For example, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is around 47,000 words, while "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee approaches 100,000. On the other hand, romance novels tend to be slightly shorter, typically ranging from 50,000 to 90,000 words, focusing on a tight narrative arc.
Genres such as fantasy and sci-fi often exceed this average due to extensive world-building, with common lengths around 125,000 words or more. However, this is less typical for bestsellers outside those genres.
Novellas and shorter works usually fall under 50,000 words, but best-selling fiction books typically exceed this lower threshold to meet market expectations. A sweet spot for word count in best-selling fiction seems to be between 60,000 and 80,000 words. It is suggested that authors be cautious not to exceed 100,000 words but aim for at least 60,000 words.
This average is a broad guideline, as specific bestsellers may be shorter or longer depending on style, genre, and market trends. For example, "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy is an exceptionally long novel, with a staggering 544,406 words.
It's worth noting that the published median for novels is around 64,000 words. A sample of 145 works of fiction from Smashwords.com has an average of 49,498 words with a median of 35,270. Another sample of best-selling fiction from Smashwords.com has an average word count that is not provided.
Smashwords.com, a popular self-publishing platform, has published 466,440 books with an average of 35,520 words per volume. If a book seems too small, it can be a concern for readers, as it may indicate a lack of depth or substance. On the other hand, as the word count and page count increase, the book may appear intimidating.
In conclusion, the optimal word count for a novel, according to the data, is between 60,000 and 80,000 words. This range seems to strike a balance between providing a comprehensive story and maintaining reader interest. However, it's essential to remember that each story is unique, and the ideal length may vary depending on the genre, style, and intended audience.
This article is a guest post contributed by Doug Lewars, an author who has published eight books on Smashwords.com. Apart from writing, Doug enjoys reading, fishing, and sweets.
When editing a novel, keeping it within the optimal word count of 60,000 to 80,000 words could help maintain reader interest while providing a comprehensive story. For those who are avid readers of fiction books, it might be beneficial to research editing tips specifically for novels in their preferred genre to ensure they adhere to typical word counts. For example, when editing a romance novel, aim for a word count between 50,000 and 90,000 words to fit the genre's tight narrative arc, while fantasy and sci-fi novels typically exceed 125,000 words due to extensive world-building.
