Leaf & Spine

Book length

Book Length by Genre: Word Count Guide

What editors, agents and readers expect for each category, and what that means in printed pages.

Word count by genre

GenreGroupTypical length
Literary FictionFiction70,000–100,000 words
Women's FictionFiction80,000–100,000 words
MysteryFiction70,000–90,000 words
Cozy MysteryFiction60,000–75,000 words
Thriller & SuspenseFiction80,000–100,000 words
Crime FictionFiction80,000–100,000 words
RomanceFiction70,000–100,000 words
Historical RomanceFiction85,000–100,000 words
RomantasyFiction90,000–120,000 words
FantasyFiction90,000–120,000 words
Epic FantasyFiction100,000–150,000 words
Urban FantasyFiction75,000–100,000 words
Science FictionFiction90,000–120,000 words
Space OperaFiction100,000–130,000 words
Dystopian FictionFiction80,000–100,000 words
HorrorFiction80,000–100,000 words
Paranormal FictionFiction75,000–100,000 words
Historical FictionFiction90,000–120,000 words
WesternsFiction50,000–80,000 words
Christian FictionFiction80,000–100,000 words
Magical RealismFiction70,000–100,000 words
Action & AdventureFiction70,000–100,000 words
War FictionFiction80,000–110,000 words
Humorous FictionFiction60,000–90,000 words
Short Story CollectionFiction40,000–80,000 words
NovellaFiction17,500–40,000 words
Graphic Novel & ComicsFiction64–200 pages
Poetry CollectionFiction48–100 pages
Plays & DramaFiction15,000–25,000 words
Young Adult (YA)Children & YA60,000–90,000 words
New AdultChildren & YA70,000–100,000 words
Middle GradeChildren & YA30,000–55,000 words
Chapter BooksChildren & YA4,000–15,000 words
Early ReadersChildren & YA200–2,500 words
Picture BooksChildren & YA300–800 words
Board BooksChildren & YA0–300 words
MemoirNonfiction70,000–90,000 words
Grief & LossNonfiction40,000–70,000 words
BiographyNonfiction80,000–120,000 words
Self-HelpNonfiction40,000–70,000 words
Business & LeadershipNonfiction50,000–70,000 words
Personal FinanceNonfiction50,000–70,000 words
Popular HistoryNonfiction80,000–120,000 words
Popular ScienceNonfiction70,000–100,000 words
True CrimeNonfiction80,000–100,000 words
Travel WritingNonfiction60,000–90,000 words
Essay CollectionNonfiction50,000–80,000 words
Body, Mind & SpiritNonfiction50,000–70,000 words
Christian Living & DevotionalsNonfiction25,000–60,000 words
Health & WellnessNonfiction50,000–70,000 words
Parenting & FamilyNonfiction50,000–70,000 words
PhilosophyNonfiction60,000–90,000 words
Popular PsychologyNonfiction60,000–90,000 words
CookbooksNonfiction150–300 pages
Photography & Art BooksNonfiction80–250 pages
Textbooks & AcademicNonfiction80,000–150,000 words
Workbooks & JournalsNonfiction60–200 pages
Coloring & Activity BooksChildren & YA30–100 pages

Midpoint length (thousands of words)

Literary Fiction85kWomen's Fiction90kMystery80kCozy Mystery67kThriller & Suspense90kCrime Fiction90kRomance85kHistorical Romance92kRomantasy105kFantasy105kEpic Fantasy125kUrban Fantasy87kScience Fiction105kSpace Opera115kDystopian Fiction90kHorror90kParanormal Fiction87kHistorical Fiction105kWesterns65kChristian Fiction90kMagical Realism85kAction & Adventure85kWar Fiction95kHumorous Fiction75kShort Story Collection60kNovella28kYoung Adult (YA)75kNew Adult85kMiddle Grade42kMemoir80k
Midpoint of each genre's typical range.

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Fiction

Children & YA

Nonfiction