How Important is Word Count for My Manuscript?
One of the first things a lot of unpublished authors worry about is word count. How long should your manuscript be? Does your manuscript seem way too long? Way too short?
Firstly, let’s define how long your manuscript should be to be considered a novel:
A short story (example: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman) is typically 1,000-7,500 words.
A novelette (example: The Fall of the House Usher by Edgar Allan Poe) is usually 7,500-17,500 words
A novella (example: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck) is 17,500 to 40,000 words.
A novel is 40,000+ words (but will typically be around 80,000 to 100,000 for adult fiction).
Word count does matter. Readers have expectations and genres tend to fall into certain ranges. There are outliers in every genre, of course. However, going way outside of the usual word count ranges without a compelling reason can make it more difficult to market your book.
Usually when a manuscript feels too long, it’s because there is repeated information, the story starts too early, or the pacing isn’t quick enough.
When it feels too short, there are likely moments that are rushed, characters that are underdeveloped, or scenes that end before they’ve properly developed.
If you’re an unpublished author wondering whether your manuscript length is in the typical range, here’s a more realistic breakdown by genre and mistakes to look out for:
Romance
Typical range: 70,000 - 100,000 words
Romance readers usually want a story that moves at a steady pace emotionally. The relationship is the main event, so there’s generally less room for endless side plots or heavy world-building.
Examples:
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston - around 110,000 words (This is on the longer side for romance.)
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter - about 96,000 words
Something newer romance writers tend to do is repeat emotional beats. If your couple has essentially the same argument six different ways, the word count will climb up quickly.
Another thing new romance writers struggle with is jumping into the action (like the first kiss) too quickly. Something that is very important in romance is called “the chase.” This is the building tension and anticipation. If your word count is too low, you might be skipping some of this tension. (If you’ve watched Bridgerton on Netflix, then you know what I’m talking about!)
Fantasy
Typical range: 90,000 - 120,000+ words
Fantasy is one of the few genres where readers actually expect larger books. There’s usually more setup involved: world-building, magic systems, politics, lore, etc.
Examples:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - about 95,000 words
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin - around 290,000 words (This is on the much longer side of fantasy, but still extremely successful!)
Sometimes newer fantasy writers accidentally information dump in the beginning because they’re worried readers won’t understand the world otherwise. However, readers tend to learn that best while the story is actively moving.
Mystery/Thriller
Typical range: 80,000 - 90,000 words
Thrillers rely heavily on pacing. Readers want momentum, twists, and the constant feeling that something is about to go wrong.
Examples:
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden - about 84,000 words
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - around 145, 000 words (Long for the genre, but an exception that worked.)
Most thrillers/mysteries stay pretty close to the word count because otherwise the pacing will suffer. However, novels like Gone Girl have had huge commercial success being longer.
One of the biggest downfalls of writers new to these genres is starting the story too early. If the exciting part of your story doesn’t begin until page 80, readers will feel that lack of excitement.
Young Adult (YA)
Typical range: 50,000 - 80,000 words
YA varies a lot depending on sub-genre. Contemporary YA is usually shorter and faster-paced, while fantasy YA can get significantly longer.
Examples:
The Outsiders S.E. Hinton - around 48,000 words
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - around 65,000 words
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - around 99,000 words
YA readers usually expect pretty quick pacing. Remember, YA is typically targeted towards 12- to 18-year-olds.
Science Fiction
Typical range: 90,000 - 110,000+ words
Sci-fi often needs extra room in the word count because you’re introducing readers to unfamiliar technologies, societies, rules, or systems.
Examples:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card - around 100,000 words
Dune by Frank Herbert - around 188,000 words
This is another genre that can get info-dumpy in the beginning. If your opening chapter reads more like a long explanation without any action or dialogue, then that’s usually a bigger problem than word count.
Advice to Aspiring Authors
Don’t obsess over word count while drafting. Finish the first draft of your manuscript first. You can revise later, such as cutting scenes or expanding them. No one publishes their first draft!
If you’re wondering if your manuscript is way too long or way too short, I would suggest finding beta readers who are familiar with the genre. They will be able to tell you if the pacing works.
Lastly, shift your thinking: Instead of constantly asking yourself, “Is my manuscript too long?” try instead asking, “Is every scene earning its place?” That will help your novel more than chasing an exact word count will.