Genre:
* Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Historical Fiction: These genres often have longer word counts, ranging from 80,000 to 120,000 words or more.
* Contemporary Fiction, Romance, and Thriller: These genres tend to have shorter word counts, often between 60,000 and 90,000 words.
* Young Adult Fiction: Word counts typically fall between 50,000 and 80,000 words.
Your Story:
* Complexity: Does your novel have many characters, intricate plots, and detailed world-building? This often calls for a longer story.
* Pace: Fast-paced stories might be shorter, while slower, character-driven stories could be longer.
* Target Audience: Consider the attention span of your readers.
Page Count vs. Word Count:
* Font: Different fonts have varying sizes, impacting page count.
* Margins and Spacing: Wider margins and larger spacing will result in fewer words per page.
Tips for Determining the Right Length:
* Read similar books in your genre: Get a feel for what's considered typical.
* Write your story without worrying about length: Focus on telling your story well first.
* Revise and edit ruthlessly: Cut unnecessary words, scenes, and plot points.
* Get feedback from beta readers: Ask them if the story felt too short or too long.
Remember:
* There is no right or wrong answer.
* The most important thing is to tell your story in the way that feels most natural and impactful.
Don't let page count become an obsession! Focus on crafting a compelling, well-written story, and the right length will emerge naturally.