A Good Reason for Lengthy Books

All the research I've done indicates that readers prefer to read books around 250 pages in length. While this may be true for actual readers, there is another angle many authors now consider. If you ever want to have a book released as an audiobook, the long books sell better because listeners hesitate to use their Amazon Audible credits for a book under 7 hours. On average, a narrator will read between 9,000 and 10, 000 words per hour.

Of course, most authors let the story determine its length, and I do the same. I'm just finishing a first draft that turned out longer than I expected. Character-driven novels tend to do that. However, even then, there is some wiggle room, and that's my point. Don't worry about the length as much as telling the story that needs to be told regardless. Whatever its length, there will be readers and listeners if its a good story.

Books that are neither too long nor too short may sell best in print or ebook form, and long books may sell better in audiobook format. Even short books have a fan group from those who like short stories they can finish quickly. However, most readers prefer a story that's better developed than those. Yet, there is a niche for all of them. Read and write what appeals to you, and if you do it well, you will develop a following. But now, I do see another reason and a growing audience for more lengthy books if the stories warrant it.

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