Typical word counts for fiction and non-fiction so your manuscript meets reader and publisher expectations.
Why length matters
Readers and retailers have expectations. A book far outside the norm is harder to sell.
Typical ranges
- Novels: 70,000 to 100,000 words
- Memoir: 60,000 to 90,000 words
- Business books: 40,000 to 60,000 words
- Picture books: under 800 words
What to do if you are over or under
Edit for pace first. Cut what slows the story, or expand where readers need more.
Every book starts with one decision: to begin.