194,513 words.

Jst a general question that I thought someone with print publishing experience might be able t answer. Does anyone know the approximate word count of an averae page fo a hard cover or paperback novel?

We're discussing a 200,000 word story, about how many pages would that equate to?

I'm sure sr7plt will be along shortly to answer your question... ;)
 
Jst a general question that I thought someone with print publishing experience might be able t answer. Does anyone know the approximate word count of an averae page fo a hard cover or paperback novel?

We're discussing a 200,000 word story, about how many pages would that equate to?

The rule of thumb is 350 words. But that's a very rough rule of thumb, because fonts, spacing, margins, guttering, and white space can be manipulated to such a variance that it could be anywhere from 200 (or far fewer for a children's book) to 500 words depending on how many pages the publisher wanted it to be. For a 200,000-word book, you could almost guarantee that the publisher would jam the wording as much as possible. They tend to market price point the book on type and target audience and then try to make the product fit, based on their costing schedules.
 
The rule of thumb is 350 words. But that's a very rough rule of thumb, because fonts, spacing, margins, guttering, and white space can be manipulated to such a variance that it could be anywhere from 200 (or far fewer for a children's book) to 500 words depending on how many pages the publisher wanted it to be. For a 200,000-word book, you could almost guarantee that the publisher would jam the wording as much as possible. They tend to market price point the book on type and target audience and then try to make the product fit, based on their costing schedules.

Thanks that's about what I would have thought. So a story of that size would likely be between 500-600 pages?
 
Thanks that's about what I would have thought. So a story of that size would likely be between 500-600 pages?


I'm sure a publisher would try to pound it under 500. That's a magical number on binding capability, with fewer, more expensive printer options above that number (actually, closer to 450). There are limits--and machinery expenses--in play on collation and binding capacities. (And warehousing and shipping capacities/costs, etc.)
 
I'm sure a publisher would try to pound it under 500. That's a magical number on binding capability, with fewer, more expensive printer options above that number (actually, closer to 450). There are limits--and machinery expenses--in play on collation and binding capacities. (And warehousing and shipping capacities/costs, etc.)

They could use realllly small type. :D
 
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