Young Adult (YA)
Fiction: YA novels typically
have between 55,000 and 80,000 words. John Green's The Fault in Our Stars is a
well-known example, with about 67,000 words.
Romance: Romance novels often fall between
70,000 and 100,000 words. Pride and
Prejudice, by Jane Austen, has approximately 122,000 words, though
it's longer for the genre.
Mystery/Thriller novels usually have between 70,000 and
90,000 words. Agatha Christie's And Then
There Were None is about 60,000 words. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg
Larsson is approximately 175,000 words. While longer than the typical
range, this book is a popular example of a modern mystery novel.
Science
Fiction/Fantasy: These genres can
have a broader range due to world-building elements, typically between 90,000
and 125,000 words. The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien has around 95,000 words. Other examples include The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
(112,815 words) and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (100,609
words).
Literary Fiction: Literary fiction can vary widely, but
is generally between 80,000 and 100,000 words. For example, To Kill a Mockingbird by
Harper Lee has about 100,000 words. Other examples include The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (85,199 words) and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (97,364 words).
Historical
Fiction: This genre often
requires more words to build the historical setting, with typical word counts
ranging from 90,000 to 120,000 words. The
Book Thief by Markus Zusak has around 140,000 words.
Nonfiction:
The word count of nonfiction books can vary greatly depending on the subject matter, but
they typically range from 70,000 to 90,000 words. Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers has about 70,000 words.
Memoir: Usually between 80,000 and 90,000
words; Educated by
Tara Westover is around 100,000 words, which is slightly above the
typical word count range but has been well-received by readers and critics
alike.
Western Fiction: Typically ranges from 45,000 to 75,000 words; Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry is
roughly 365,000 words. This epic Western novel far exceeds the typical word
count range but is considered a classic in the genre. True Grit by Charles Portis is about
60,000 words, a well-known example of the genre.
Erotic Fiction: Short Story: In the realm of
erotic fiction, word count guidelines can vary, with short stories typically
ranging from 1,000 to 7,500 words for quick, steamy reads, novelettes spanning
7,500 to 20,000 words to allow for more character and plot development,
novellas falling between 20,000 to 50,000 words for complex storytelling, and
full-length novels ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 words to explore intricate
narratives and themes.
These are general
guidelines, and there are always exceptions. It's important to focus on telling
the story effectively, rather than strictly adhering to a specific word count.
Find much more at https://badredheadmediallc.substack.com/p/optimizing-word-counts-for-writers?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1RLQsxmkiAMVcf92anm7tvWP8crw91Q0im3V-wk1K7FT0CNfWtvk6-RQ8_aem_AVjjELM26h1yigK-HwNwsgmtFw9wbozoJCMiUuGsDclh4MxDfE8sVZ2EeR2K7MpSaQIkx4itC6aP83M39cBuPu62