What's the deal with word counts?

Have you ever pondered whether your work-in-progress is stretching too long or coming up short? Occasionally, we receive a submission that we must turn away because the manuscript doesn't fit the expected length for its genre, being either excessively lengthy or disappointingly brief.

Steve Laube recently shared a detailed set of word count guidelines on his blog. Keep in mind that this list is NOT set in stone, but rather a flexible guide to steer your writing journey.

Children’s board books – about 100 words

Early readers (ages 5-7) – 1,000-3,500 words

Chapter books – 15,000-35,000 words

Middle grade – 30,000-45,000 words

YA fiction – 50,000-80,000 words

Adult fiction novellas – 35,000-45,000 words

Other adult fiction – 70,000-100,000 words

Sci-fi/fantasy – 80,000-100,000 words

40-day devotionals – 30,000-40,000 words

90-day devotionals – 45,000-60,000 words

365-day devotionals – 90,000-100,000 words

Bible studies – 10,000-20,000 words

Memoirs – 40,000-70,000 words

Academic/reflective – 50,000-100,000 words

Other adult nonfiction – 40,000-70,000 words