Word Count by Genre
Check if your manuscript length meets industry expectations
Select a genre to see the recommended word count range
Why Word Count Matters
Word count signals to agents, publishers, and readers what kind of experience to expect. A 40,000-word "epic fantasy" raises red flags, just as a 150,000-word "cozy mystery" does.
Agent Expectations
Literary agents use word count as a first filter. Manuscripts significantly outside genre norms often receive automatic rejections—not because the story is bad, but because outlier lengths suggest pacing problems.
Production Costs
Longer books cost more to print. A 150,000-word debut is a significant financial risk for a publisher. For self-publishers, print costs directly impact profitability.
Reader Expectations
Readers have genre-specific expectations. Romance readers expect a complete story in one sitting. Epic fantasy readers expect immersive worldbuilding.
Pacing Signals
A taut thriller needs tight prose. An epic fantasy earns its length through worldbuilding. The right word count for your genre means natural pacing.
Genre Details
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