Estimating the Word Count of Your Book

When Editors and Agents always ask for your manuscript’s overall word count in the initial query letter be sure to double-space and correctly format your writing. Although many prefer Times New Roman 12 point, it is more important to make sure the text is readable and clear. Also make sure to prepare your text so that it includes: Page numbers in the header or footer; a title page containing the book’s title, author’s name, and the contact information.

Why is word count important to some professionals in the industry? How the “spreads” (pages) look (margins, spacing, etc.,) is the job of a professional layout artist. There’s a lot that goes into making the text look good on the page so that the book looks like a professional effort. This is stuff that, as a reader, you might not know about or even notice, but it makes the difference between making the reading smooth or choppy, easy or laborious.

The standard industry recommendation for words per double-spaced, 8.5 x 11-inch page in the United States and Canada is 250–300. Although the UK’s typical A4 paper size is a little larger, the rules remain the same. You may estimate the average word count per page in your work using your word processor. Divide the total word count by the page count to get the average word count per page. For instance, 62,014 words divided by 202 pages equals just under 307 words per page.

Resist Manipulation. Many writers are tempted to use conventional tricks to modify the word count. Some feel justified to fit more words on a page if they simply make the text a little smaller. Sometimes by reducing the line spacing, they can attempt to fit more lines per page. Stretching the line or word spacing is a simple way for a writer to provide padding to an underdeveloped composition. It’s better to focus on quality and not quantity. Let writing live in your spirit, soul, and body, and you will always tell a great story.