The art of writing a thriller often raises the question – “How many pages is a typical thriller novel?” Identifying an exact number is not straightforward due to the varying factors like genre, pacing, and word count that differ from one thriller novel to another. However, by understanding these elements and industry practices, we can provide a useful approximation.
Word Count and Page Length
The typical length for a thriller novel falls within the range of 80,000 and 100,000 words. These counts translate to around 300-400 pages with the industry-standard of approximately 250-300 words per page. Such a length allows for effective development of suspense, tension, and character without overpowering the reader.
Consideration for Shorter or Longer Novels
It is important to note that having a thriller novel shorter or longer than the typical word count is not necessarily a bad thing. Shorter novels, around 60,000 words, often manifest fast-paced, action-packed experiences, while longer ones, reaching up to 120,000 words, afford space for deeper character development and descriptive elements. However, striking a balance is crucial, as having a novel that is too short may make it seem insufficient, while an overly long novel may bore readers.
Publishing Industry Standards and Guidelines
When aiming to be traditionally published, it’s generally advisable to keep your novel length close to the industry standard guidelines, which is around 100,000 words for thrillers. The continuum of mystery and romance novels seem to favor around 80,000 words, while genres like science fiction, fantasy, or historical fiction often extend up to 125,000 words.
Impact on Translation and Other Logistic Factors
Longer than average novels might present challenges in areas such as editing, pace regulation, and translation. Logistically, a longer book could involve higher translation costs, and selling its rights might be more complicated.
Self-Publishing Flexibility
For any aspiring self-published author, you enjoy the flexibility of choosing a length that best suits your story. While predictable factors are in play like potential reading preferences and printing costs, you should focus on ensuring that your novel is the correct length for your narrative. Avoid unnecessary extension or reduction to meet a specific word count.
Chapters in a Thriller Novel
Chapter lengths within thriller novels highly influence the pacing of the story. To provide an exciting, suspenseful read, consider keeping your chapters between 3,000 and 5,000 words. This structure supports excellent flow, tension, and conflict within your story, keeping readers hooked.
Visual Layout and Design
Formatting plays a crucial part in engaging the reader. Thrillers, for example, often contain shorter chapters creating a lot of white spaces for ease of reading. This style supports the suspenseful nature of the genre, enabling readers to devour the book in one sitting.
Conclusions
Identifying the exact page count of a typical thriller novel is not definitive due to the diversity around each story and author’s storytelling approach. However, guidance from industry practices and the mentioned factors can give aspiring authors a helpful understanding. Focus on creating a gripping story while keeping in mind the pacing and length factors to create an exciting thriller novel that will captivate your readers.