Well, for fantasy short stories, it depends on where you're submitting. Some online platforms might accept as low as 300 words for a micro - fantasy short. But usually, a short story in the fantasy genre should be at least 1,500 words to tell a decent story. You can have stories up to 5,000 words that are considered long - ish short stories. This gives you the chance to really develop your fantasy world, whether it's a world of wizards or a land of mythical beasts. Any longer than that and it might start to cross into novelette territory rather than a short story.
Typically, for a very short fantasy short story, it could be as few as 500 - 1,000 words. This allows for a quick and concise narrative that can still convey a unique fantasy concept, like a brief encounter with a magical creature. A more common length is around 1,500 - 3,000 words. In this range, there's enough space to develop a simple plot, introduce a couple of characters, and build a small but engaging fantasy world. Some markets may accept fantasy short stories up to 5,000 words, which gives more room for complex sub - plots and in - depth character development.
Yes, there are some unwritten guidelines. As I mentioned before, it usually falls within a certain range. But it's not set in stone. They want stories that are long enough to tell a complete and engaging story. So, it's not like they'll accept a 100 - word piece as a short story regularly. However, if it's an extremely powerful micro - story, they might consider it. But generally, it's in the ballpark of what we've discussed earlier in terms of word count.
Sure. Publishers usually like novels to be within a certain word count range for various reasons. Cost is one factor. Longer novels cost more to print and distribute. Marketability is another. Readers often have expectations based on genre. For instance, cozy mysteries are often around 60,000 - 80,000 words. Literary novels can range from 70,000 - 100,000 words. And high - fantasy novels might be 90,000 - 150,000 words. But these are just general guidelines and there are always exceptions depending on the quality and uniqueness of the story.
Typical fantasy novels can range from 60,000 to 100,000 words. But there are shorter ones for younger readers or as part of a series starter that might be around 30,000 - 50,000 words. Longer, more in - depth and complex fantasy works can reach 150,000 words or more. For example, 'The Lord of the Rings' is a very long and complex epic fantasy with a significant word count.
The average word count for short novels can vary widely, but generally it can be around 10,000 to 40,000 words.
Word count is important for short stories as it helps in meeting submission requirements. Many literary magazines or contests have specific word limits, so knowing the word count ensures your story can be considered.
The plot complexity is a major factor. If there are multiple storylines, sub - plots, and twists, it will likely increase the word count. World - building also plays a huge role. A detailed and elaborate fictional world with different cultures, languages, and magic systems requires more words to describe. Character development is another aspect. If there are many characters with in - depth backstories, it will add to the word count.
I recommend "Hegemonic War God". It's a fantasy novel from the East. It's already finished. It has two million words and is a complete book. I can definitely keep it with ease. I hope you like this fairy's recommendation. Muah ~😗
A short novel typically ranges from around 20,000 to 50,000 words. But it can vary depending on different definitions and genres.
The average word count for a book of short stories can vary greatly. Generally, it could be around 20,000 to 40,000 words. However, some collections might be shorter, say 10,000 words if the stories are very short and there are not too many of them. Others could be longer, up to 50,000 or 60,000 words if the stories are on the longer side or there are a large number of stories in the collection.
Word count is important for short stories as it can help with submission guidelines. Many literary magazines or writing contests have specific word count limits for short stories. For example, if a magazine asks for short stories between 1000 - 3000 words, you need to know the word count of your story to see if it fits.