Have you ever struggled with your book's length of content?

It's a common question among authors, and there isn't always a clear answer. Sometimes, the length of your book is dictated by the genre or type of book it is. And when you're writing non-fiction, the book's length can be determined by how much information you need to share.

This blog post will discuss the book-length question from the perspective of fiction writing.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Should you consider your book's length?

Book readers often focus on book covers at first sight or book reviews and recommendations. While these are great, a book's length can also matter to some readers. The length of a book is one of the main reasons why people don't read more often.

Deciding how long your book should be can be a tricky task. On the one hand, you want to ensure that you include all the essential information without bordering on the tedious.

On the other hand, you don't want your book to feel too brief and lacking in depth. So, what is the ideal length for a book? The answer, of course, depends on the subject matter.

According to Joanna Penn, author and creative entrepreneur, the average length of a non-fiction book is between 60,000 and 80,000 words. This makes up around 250 to 320 pages in a standard book format.

If your ideas are complex, you may need a longer book to explore all facets. However, most non-fiction books are between 200 and 350 pages. With this in mind, balancing too much and too little information is essential.

There are also different expectations for different genres. For example, a self-help book might be shorter, while an academic textbook will likely be much longer. A shorter book might be best if your book is more lighthearted or surface-level.

Remember that your goal is to provide readers with a comprehensive yet concise overview of your subject matter. If you do this, you can be confident that your book will be the perfect length.

Four reasons why you need to consider your book's length

While the average book length can give you a general idea of how long your book should be, there are other factors to consider. Here are four reasons you should consider your book's length before writing.

1. Your audience might not like a long book

While attracting and maintaining a target audience that will like your book is good, you must also be aware that some readers might not want to commit to a lengthy book.

If your book is on the longer side, you might consider breaking it into smaller sections or volumes. This will make it more digestible for readers and allow them to read only the parts that interest them.

If your audience is composed of busy people, they might appreciate a shorter book they can easily read in one sitting. On the other hand, you can write your ideas for books into volumes as long as your readers are willing to commit that time.

2. Having a shorter book makes readers' thoughts process easier

Readers are often more likely to remember the main points of a shorter book. This is because their thoughts aren't as scattered when reading a shorter book.

If you're worried that a shorter book won't have enough content to explore your topic thoroughly, consider adding additional resources like an appendix or glossary. This way, readers can refer back to the book if they need more information.

3. Writing a longer book can take you a while

Regardless if you've sourced enough for your book and have planned everything out, writing a longer book can still take a while. This is because you need to ensure everything flows together nicely, so there are no gaps in your book.

If you're worried about taking too long to write your book, consider setting a deadline for yourself. This will help you stay on track and ensure you don't get too bogged down in the details.

4. You get to plan better if you write a shorter book

If you know that you want to write a shorter book, you can plan your content better. This is because you'll need to be more selective about what information you include.

Shorter books are also generally more accessible to the market. So if you're worried about getting your book noticed, a shorter book might be the way to go.

Although writing the book itself is the most crucial part of the process, you need to plan the marketing, book cover and book right after you piece your book shorter. Make sure to choose a structure that will work well with a shorter book.

Final Thoughts

The length of your book is essential to consider during the writing process. This is because the length can affect how well readers receive your book and how easy it is for them to process the information.

While there is no perfect length for any book, you should consider your book's length before you start writing. This way, you can ensure that your book is the best it can be for your target audience.

Stuck on how you want to promote your book to its best potential? Contact us today at bestsellingbook.com!

Our team of experts would be more than glad to help you on your journey to becoming a bestselling author and help your book get the recognition it deserves.

And remember - don't forget to have fun writing your book!

Interested in more? Check out "Long-Term Success As An Author" or "4 Things You Need To Know About Book Funnels."