Ebook readers have different word count expectations depending upon the genre of the book. Publishing an ebook that deviates from the standard word count not only increases the chances of your ebook being rejected by editors, but also reduces your chances of reaching your target audience. Knowing the perfect count for your ebook helps arrange a sequence of chapters, create a good plot, and truly connect to your readers.
If you are an ebook writer, you must have heard the saying, “No good book is ever too long, and no bad book is ever too short.” So, if you are wondering what this means with regards to your target ebook word count, this blog is for you! Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the perfect word count for your ebook.
Is There a Perfect Word Count for Your Ebook?
While there is no definitive answer to this question, there are certain factors that ebook writers must consider when determining the word count for their book. Start by taking the time to create the perfect storyline or plot. Especially when writing a fiction eBook, make sure to focus and provide the best view of the subject and the ebook’s theme. Once you have a draft of the table of contents, you will have a better idea of how long your ebook will be. Just remember that your readers have expectations as well. So, if you plan to market your ebook as a novella, ensure that it has a higher word count compared to a short story.
Do not waste your time worrying about the word count of your ebook. Whether it is 300,000 words or 3,000 words, if the ebook provides readers with value, nothing can stop them from spending their time and money on your ebook.
How to Choose the Perfect Word Count for Your eBook Based on the Genre
Determining the perfect word count for your ebook doesn’t only depend on having a goal and a solid guideline. It also depends upon the theme and the genre for which you are writing!
So, if you are an ebook writer, the most challenging decision is figuring out what your ebook word count should be, especially if you are new to the world of digital books. The rule of thumb here is to keep the ebook word count between 80,000 to 100,000 words. However, the word count might vary depending upon the genre of your eBook. Here is a guide on how to choose the perfect word count for your eBook based on the genre:
1. Fantasy and Science Fiction
World-building is an art form when writing a fantasy or a science fiction book. Comprising a plethora of characters and places, creating a fictional world within the ebook takes longer compared to other genres. Therefore, the average length of a fantasy and science fiction book is expected to be between at least 90,000 to 120,000 words.
2. Thriller
Also known as “mystery books,” the main goal of an ebook writer when writing a thriller is to keep the storyline moving while making sure they have the reader’s attention at all times. A good suspense thriller ebook should ideally consist of 70,000 to 90,000 words.
3. Non-Fiction
Being divided into several subgenres, there is no set word count for non-fiction books. Therefore, if you are writing a non-fiction ebook for the first time, our advice would be to search up the genre to determine the correct ebook word count. For example, the word count of a memoir should be at least 90,000 words long.
4. Historical Fiction
When drafting a historical fiction, an ebook writer fleshes out their imagination to create the perfect historical environment. Doing so requires a higher word count. Therefore, the recommended ebook word count for historical fiction is 100,000 words.
5. Romance
When it comes to writing a romance ebook, not all love stories are as long and epic as Wuthering Heights. While some ebook readers prefer them to be ideal beach reads, others want them to be long and detailed. Therefore, if you are writing a romance ebook, keep the word count as short as 50,000. The word count of a high-end romantic novel, however, should be at least 100,000 words.
Note that all of these are typical ebook word count ranges, and so they should be only used to get an idea of the expected word count range and not to determine the exact length of your eBook. There are several writers who have published each genre far above or below these word counts. Therefore, always do your search and remember that at the end of the day, it’s only the quality of the content that matters and not the word count itself.
Wrapping It Up!
Having an idea of how to choose the perfect word count for your ebook helps you work smarter and not harder, which ultimately results in a book loved by readers. Simply put, this means you will be selling more copies. Even though there are valid reasons behind different publications having standard word counts, do not get caught up with numbers. Instead, get in touch with an ebook writing services provider and find out if your ebook is too short or too long, and then make tweaks accordingly!
