Some writers obsess over hitting a magic number. Others refuse to look at word count at all, insisting the story should be “exactly as long as it needs to be”. Both approaches usually end in trouble.
“How many words should my book be?” It’s one of the most common questions writers ask — and one of the most misunderstood.
Some writers obsess over hitting a magic number. Others refuse to look at word count at all, insisting the story should be “exactly as long as it needs to be”. Both approaches usually end in trouble.
Word count isn’t about rules. It’s about reader expectation, market reality, and discipline.
And yes — genre matters.
Why word count actually matters
Readers don’t usually count words, but they feel them.
A book that’s too short for its genre often feels undercooked. One that’s too long can feel indulgent, slow, or exhausting — even if the writing itself is good. Publishers, retailers, and reviewers all have expectations shaped by genre norms, whether they admit it or not.
Word count is part of the unspoken contract you make with the reader. Ignore it entirely, and you’re asking readers to work harder than they should have to.
General rule before we talk numbers
Word count ranges aren’t about creativity. They’re about probability.
Staying within typical word counts doesn’t guarantee success — but straying far outside them increases the odds of rejection, poor reviews, or reader fatigue. Especially for new or indie authors.
Typical word count ranges by genre
Literary fiction:Usually sits between 70,000 and 100,000 words. Literary readers expect depth, but not sprawl. Tightness matters more than spectacle.
Commercial / general fiction:Often 80,000 to 100,000 words. This is the broadest genre and the most forgiving — but pacing still matters.
Crime, mystery, and thrillers:Typically 70,000 to 90,000 words. Momentum is king. If it drags, readers notice immediately.
Romance:Most romance novels land between 60,000 and 90,000 words, depending on subgenre. Romance readers are extremely tuned in to pacing and payoff — excess waffle gets punished.
Fantasy:Usually 90,000 to 120,000 words, sometimes longer. Worldbuilding earns extra space, but only if it’s doing real work.
Science fiction:Often 80,000 to 110,000 words. Concept-heavy stories still need restraint. Ideas don’t excuse bloat.
Young Adult (YA):Generally 60,000 to 90,000 words. YA readers want momentum, not endurance tests.
Memoir:Commonly 70,000 to 100,000 words. The story must justify the length — not every life moment needs a doorstop.
Short story collections:Usually 50,000 to 80,000 words, depending on structure and cohesion.
Poetry collections:Often 20,000 to 40,000 words, but quality and curation matter far more than volume.
The mistake writers make with word count
The biggest mistake isn’t being too long or too short. It’s assuming: “If I just cut or add words, the word count problem is solved.”
It usually isn’t.
Word count issues are almost always structural problems indisguise:
- scenes doing too little
- repetition
- weak subplots
- indulgent worldbuilding
- lack of narrative focus
Cutting ten thousand words won’t help if the story itself is unfocused.
When breaking the “rules” works
Some books break every guideline and still succeed. But those books usually come from established authors with existing readerships.
For emerging and indie writers, word count isn’t the place to rebel. It’s the place to demonstrate control.
Once readers trust you, you can stretch the boundaries. Until then, discipline is your friend.
A practical way to use word count wisely
Instead of asking, “Is my book too long?”, ask:
- Is every scene earning its place?
- Does each chapter change something?
- Am I repeating myself emotionally or narratively?
- Would a reader feel rewarded for the time invested?
If the answer is yes, your word count is probably fine. If not, the number is telling you something you don’t want to hear.
The number at the bottom of the page matters — whether you like it or not.
Word count isn’t about shrinking your story to fit a box. It’s about respecting your reader’s time.
Genres come with expectations for a reason. They exist because readers have voted — over and over — with their attention and their wallets.
Write the story you need to write. Then edit it like a professional.
References & further reading
Nielsen BookScan Australia — Market Trends & Reader Behaviour
https://www.nielsenbookscan.com
Australian Society of Authors — Writing & Publishing Resources
https://www.asauthors.org
Jane Friedman — Ideal Novel Length by Genre
https://janefriedman.com
Reedsy — Novel Length: How Long Should Your Book Be?
https://blog.reedsy.com