(Fiction)
There are countless genres and subgenres out there—it would be near impossible to list every single one. There can also be crossovers between two or more genres, such as an action-filled fantasy, a sci-fi mystery, or a historical romance, and there are countless subgenres as a result. Below, I have comprised a list of the most popular fiction genres, along with average word counts and a basic description of what each genre entails.
By no means do you have to hit the average word count for your genre, especially if going the indie-publishing route. The word average here simply means it is the range in which most of those books land—most, not all. Every book is different, and every author’s journey is different. If your story ends below or above your genre’s average word count, as long as the story is whole and doesn’t contain any plot holes or too much filler, it’s perfectly fine.
| GENRE | AVERAGE WORD COUNT | DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLES |
FANTASY | 100k-115k | Set in a fictional universe, but often inspired by the real world; story events could never happen in real life; may include magical elements; has unusual or unrealistic characters such as fairies, wizards, deities, or centaurs; often involves kingdoms | Harry Potter Lord of the Rings The Chronicles of Narnia |
SCIENCE FICTION | 100k-115k | Includes elements of science and technology; often involves interspace travel and is set in the future or in different worlds/universes | Star Wars 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Brave New World |
MYSTERY/CRIME | 70k-90k | Centered around a puzzling event; the characters must uncover the clues and solve the secret or the crime | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Murder on the Orient Express M Is for Murder |
ROMANCE | 50k-90k | A central love story that often has an emotionally satisfying ending (happily ever after) | Pride & Prejudice The Notebook The Princess Bride |
THRILLER/SUSPENSE | 80k-100k | A central danger creates a sense of excitement, surprise, anticipation, and anxiety; thrillers have the danger present from the start, while suspense has the protagonist gradually become aware of the danger | The Shining The Silence of the Lambs The Girl on the Train |
ACTION & ADVENTURE | 60k-70k | The characters are often involved in exciting and dangerous activities | Treasure Island The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Call of the Wild |
HISTORICAL/REALISTIC FICTION | 75k-100k | Draws inspiration from real events or things that could be real; often in a real setting with both real and made-up characters; historical fiction is set in the past, while realistic fiction is typically in the present | Gone with the Wind To Kill a Mockingbird War & Peace |
To paraphrase the line from Pirates of the Caribbean, these are more like guidelines than actual rules. After all, it’s your book!
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