Genre guide · Fiction
Historical Fiction: word count & book length
How long a historical fiction book should be, which trim sizes suit it and what that means in printed pages. Typical length: 90,000–120,000 words.
About historical fiction
Novels set in the past that recreate a period with care. Author's notes separating fact from invention are expected by readers.
Printed length in recommended trim sizes
| Trim | Pages at 11 pt | Spine (white) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 x 9 in US Trade | 314–414 pages | 0.71–0.93 in |
| 5.5 x 8.5 in Digest | 358–474 pages | 0.81–1.07 in |
Page counts for these lengths
Tips for this category
- An author's note and a short bibliography add credibility in the back matter.
- Period maps are an easy way to orient readers.
About Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is a literary genre in which a fictitious plot takes place in the setting of particular real historical events. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for historical fiction literature, it can also be applied to other types of narrative, including theatre, opera, cinema, and television, as well as video games and graphic novels. An essential element of historical fiction is that it is set in the past and pays attention to the manners, social conditions and other details of the depicted period. Authors also frequently choose to explore notable historical figures in these settings, allowing readers to better understand how these individuals might have responded to their environments. The historical romance usually seeks to romanticize eras of the past.
From the Wikipedia article “Historical fiction”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Most-published historical fiction works in Open Library
| Title | Author | First published | Editions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen | 1813 | 4,042 |
| Wuthering Heights | Emily Brontë | 1846 | 2,888 |
| Adventures of Huckleberry Finn | Mark Twain | 1876 | 2,623 |
| The Scarlet Letter | Nathaniel Hawthorne | 1800 | 2,425 |
| Robinson Crusoe | Daniel Defoe | 1686 | 2,420 |
| Emma | Jane Austen | 1815 | 2,262 |
| Oliver Twist | Charles Dickens | 1822 | 2,211 |
| A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens | 1800 | 2,059 |
| Treasure Island | Robert Louis Stevenson | 1880 | 1,992 |
| Little Women | Louisa May Alcott | 1848 | 1,888 |
Open Library lists 7,794 works under this subject.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a historical fiction book be?
What trim size is best for historical fiction?
Sources & data
- Subject statistics from Open Library.
- Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).