All new authors are concerned with word count. All seasoned authors say, “don’t worry about word count.” The truth is that both are correct at the exact same time. An author that publishes a book for the first time must show concern for word count because a novice author does not have an established audience. An experienced author is writing for an established audience.    

          The basic rule is that agents are only interested in representing books that show immediate commercial value.

          Word count is an important area to understand. There is no set word count for any type of book. Novice authors should always follow a standard word count.

  Standard Book Word Count     

• Picture: 500 - 700 (30 - 40 pages)

• Children: 20,000 - 60,000

          Lower age - 20,000

          Higher age - 60,000

• Juvenile: 50,000 - 80,000

          Lower age - 50,000

          Higher age - 70,000

          Sci-fi - 80,000

• Adult novel: 70,000 - 100,000

          Sci-fi - 100,000

• Nonfiction: 70,000 - 100,000

Note about Sci-fi books

Sci-fi and fantasy books have a higher word count because of the inherent necessity to describe the world and the inhabitants of the world.

Novice authors should never compare their submissions to the published work of established authors. Established authors have several hundred thousand dedicated readers ready to spend money on all new released books. An established author that draws a large financial profit for every book released has earned the right to make their book any number of words. Until a novice author becomes established, stick to the established word count.

          Everyone asks, “What about Dean Koontz and Stephen King?”

          I say, “One step at a time.”

          Write a book, or two, or three. Build an audience. Then become as influential and iconic as Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Anything is possible, but everyone must always start at the bottom, and climb to the top.

          Because the word count is not specific, the required amount varies. After a publishing house accepts a manuscript, an editor will help mold the story into the appropriate word count for the intended audience. While still in the submitting to an agent phase, an author should follow a set standard word count. Few agents accept a novella, collection of poetry, or collection of short stories.