How many words are in a nonfiction book?
Well, that’s one of the most common questions that most authors ask themselves before they start writing their book.
Perhaps it’s the same question that you’re asking yourself right now.
After all, we know that word count matters when it comes to submitting our work to agents or publishing houses.
So, what’s the answer?
How many words should be in a nonfiction book?
The answer, my friends, depends on several factors.
For example, the genre of your book and the length of the average book in that genre.
However, an average nonfiction book is typically between 50,000 and 80,000 words.
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Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that can affect the word count of your nonfiction book:
– The publisher
– The book’s subject matter
– The book’s target audience
– The author’s preference
The Publisher
In most cases, the publisher will have a say in how long your book should be.
For instance, some publishers might want a minimum word count of 50,000 words, while others might prefer 80,000 words or more.
Publishers often place restrictions on the minimum and maximum acceptable word count. Where your book is on the short side, then you may need to give the publisher some concrete reasons as to why it’s so. They may then decide to either give you the go-ahead or ask you to increase the word count.
For excess word count, the publisher may ask you to cut down on your content or they may be happy to keep it as is. It all depends on their preference and how you agree with them.
However, for self-publishing authors, you’ll have much more control over the final word count of your book.
The Book’s Subject Matter
Another factor that can affect the word count of your book is the subject matter. For instance, if you’re writing a how-to guide, then you’ll need to make sure that your book is comprehensive enough to cover the topic in detail. This can often result in a word count that’s above the average.
Conversely, if you’re writing a more general nonfiction book, then you may find that your word count is lower than average.
Here are the average word counts based on the book’s subject matter;
– Biography – 80,000 to 110,000 words.
– Business – 40,000 to 80,000 words.
– Cookbook – 30,000 to 60,000 words.
– How-To – 20,000 to 50,000 words.
– Self-Help – 40,000 to 90,000 words
– Memoir – 60,000 to 90,000 words.
– History – 60,000 to 100,000 words.
– Devotional – 30,000 to 50,0000 words
So generally, the subject matter will play a role in how long your book should be.
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The Book’s Target Audience
The target audience of your book can also affect the word count. For example, a children’s book will typically be shorter in length than a book for adults.
This is because children’s books are often geared towards a younger audience and don’t need to cover as much ground as an adult book would.
On the other hand, a nonfiction book for adults may be longer to cover all of the relevant information for that particular audience.
The Author’s Preference
At the end of the day, it’s up to the author to decide how long their book should be. You may find that you’re more comfortable writing a shorter book or that you have more to say and want to write a longer one.
It really all comes down to what you’re comfortable with and what you feel is necessary to cover the topic at hand.
So, there you have it! These are some of the factors that can affect the word count of a nonfiction book. Just remember that it all comes down to what’s best for your particular book.
So, How Many Words Are In A Nonfiction Book?
As seen from the article, this is a question that doesn’t have a definitive answer. It really depends on some factors, including the publisher, the subject matter, the target audience, and the author’s preference.
However, speaking from averages, a nonfiction book tends to be around 50,000 to 100,000 words long. So whatever your word count is, it’s definitely within the ballpark!
Keep in mind that this is just a general range and that your book may be shorter or longer depending on the factors mentioned above. So, if you’re wondering how long your nonfiction book should be, just take a look at these different factors and see what suits your work best.
Are Nonfiction Books Shorter or Longer Than Fiction?
Fiction books tend to be shorter than nonfiction. Even so, that’s not always the case. Some fiction books like novels have a higher word count than most nonfiction books.
This is likely because fiction books like novels often require more world-building and character development than nonfiction works.
So, while fiction books are typically shorter than nonfiction, there are always exceptions to the rule!
Conclusion
In conclusion, nonfiction books are typically longer than fiction books. However, several factors can affect the word count, including the publisher, the subject matter, the target audience, and the author’s preference.
So if you’re wondering how many words your nonfiction book should be, just take all of these factors into account!