How Long Should A First Fantasy Novel Be

2025-06-10 14:51:59 227

3 Answers

Jane
Jane
2025-06-14 09:30:15
I’ve been writing fantasy for years, and I always tell newcomers that a first fantasy novel should ideally land between 80,000 to 120,000 words. That range gives you enough space to build your world without overwhelming readers or publishers. Shorter than 80k, and you might not do justice to the epic scale fantasy demands; longer than 120k, and you risk losing pacing or scaring off agents. My first novel was 95k, and it felt like the sweet spot—enough to introduce magic systems, factions, and a protagonist’s journey without dragging. Look at 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson or 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss—they’re hefty but not doorstoppers. Aim for depth, not bloat.
Benjamin
Benjamin
2025-06-15 19:53:08
As a fantasy reader who devours everything from indie gems to blockbuster series, I think debut novels thrive at 80k–100k words. New authors often over-explain their worlds, but the best stories trust readers to fill in gaps. 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch is a masterclass in concise yet vivid fantasy—it hooks you fast and doesn’t meander.

If your manuscript balloons past 110k, ask yourself: Are all these battles, prophecies, and side quests essential? Early works like 'The Eye of the World' by Robert Jordan show how sprawling sequels can get, but even that first book was a manageable 120k. Modern trends favor tighter pacing. Lean into your strengths—maybe your magic system doesn’t need 10 pages of history. Let the characters’ journeys drive the word count, not the encyclopedic details.
George
George
2025-06-16 09:24:19
When I started diving into fantasy novels, I noticed a pattern: debut authors often struggle with balancing length and substance. A first fantasy novel should be immersive but tight—think 90,000 to 110,000 words. This range lets you establish lore, develop characters, and weave plot twists while keeping the story accessible. Publishers are wary of 150k-word tomes from unknowns; they’re expensive to print and risky to market.

That said, don’t sacrifice world-building for brevity. Books like 'The Fifth Season' by N.K. Jemisin prove you can craft rich, complex worlds in under 120k. Focus on precision. Every subplot should serve the main narrative. If your draft hits 140k, revise mercilessly—cut filler dialogue, merge redundant characters, and streamline descriptions. My friend’s debut got published at 105k after trimming 30k, and it’s better for it.

Remember, Tolkien’s 'The Hobbit' was under 100k, and it launched Middle-earth. Length matters less than impact.
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