How Long Does It Take to Write a Book?

By BookBaby author Scott McCormick

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes


Writing a book is a creative journey and a massive endeavor — for both first-time authors and experienced writers. It can be difficult to sustain a high level of creativity and writing discipline over the length of time it takes to go from Chapter One to “ The End .”

Table of Contents: • Factors that affect the time required to write a book • Book length and complexity • Writing speed and discipline • Available time and commitment • Research and fact-checking • Typical timelines for writing a book    Novellas and short books    Novels and fiction books    Nonfiction books    Children’s books • Tips for efficiently writing your book • Set clear goals and deadlines • Create a writing schedule • Seek support and accountability • From writer to author

But just how long does it take to actually write a book ? Spoiler alert: it depends on a hundred factors. Some authors can take years to write a book , and at the other end of the spectrum, there’s an international event called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in which authors try to write a 50,000-word manuscript during the month of November.
The process of writing a book is unique to each author and doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all timeline. But that doesn’t mean we can’t analyze the factors that affect the time it takes to write a book and provide general guidelines for various types of books. In the process, we’ll offer tips to increase your efficiency as you set off to complete your writing project and get one step closer to the publishing process.
Factors that affect the time required to write a book
Like I said, there are hundreds of factors that influence the time it takes to write a book — but let’s take a look at some of the obvious suspects.
Book length and complexity
Of course, the length and complexity of the finished work will play a significant role in the time required to complete it. Writing a novella or short book will naturally take less time than writing an epic adventure series or a nonfiction work requiring loads of research . Got a complex plot with intricate world-building ? That can also add to the writing time.
Writing speed and discipline
Every writer has his or her own writing speed , which affects the time needed to complete a book. Some writers can produce a substantial amount of work in a short time, while others work at a slower, deliberate pace. Chances are, you’ll experience both as you work on your manuscript. Discipline and consistency in writing routines also contribute to the speed of progress.
Available time and commitment
The amount of time you can dedicate to writing directly impacts the timeline for completing your book. This is especially true for authors for whom writing is not their day job. Factors such as work commitments, family obligations, and other responsibilities may limit the time available for writing. To ensure you keep on task and deliver at your fastest pace, assess your availability, structure your schedule, and make a realistic commitment to your writing project.
Research and fact-checking
For nonfiction works or novels that require extensive research, the time spent on gathering information, fact-checking, and verifying sources will influence the overall writing timeline. Thorough research ensures the accuracy and credibility of your book but can add to the time required.
Typical timelines for writing a book
While writing timeframes and word counts will inevitably vary, here are some general guidelines for different types of books.
Novellas and short books
Novellas and short books typically range from 20,000 to 50,000 words. Depending on the complexity of the work and your weekly log of hours spent writing, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete such a project.
Novels and fiction books
Novels usually fall within the range of 60,000 to 100,000 words or more. On average, it can take six months to a year (or longer) to complete a novel. That said, it took Anthony Burgess three weeks to write A Clockwork Orange . Sometimes, it all depends on the rate of inspiration.
Nonfiction books
Nonfiction books often require extensive research, organization, and fact-checking, which means the timeline for nonfiction works can be anywhere from several months to several years, depending on the research and subject matter.
Children’s books
Thanks to their short word-count, one might think it only takes a few days to write a picture book, but that’s not usually the case. As Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar once said, “Let’s put it this way: if you are a novelist, I think you start out with a 20 word idea and you work at it and you wind up with a 200,000 word novel. We picture-book people, or at least I, start out with 200,000 words and I reduce it to 20.” That can take some time. People often ask me how long it took me to write my first Mr. Pants story, and I tell them honestly, “Seven years and ten minutes.”
Tips for efficiently writing your book
If you’re an aspiring writer looking to optimize your writing process, consider these tips.
Set clear goals and deadlines
Establish clear goals for each writing session and set realistic deadlines for completing chapters or sections of your book. Breaking down the writing process into manageable tasks helps maintain focus and progress. I love a deadline as it gives me an adrenaline rush that will get me over any writer’s block issues.
Create a writing schedule
Develop a consistent writing schedule that fits in with your available time and commitments. Dedicate specific blocks of time solely to writing, even if it’s just an hour a day. Consistency is key to making steady progress.
Seek support and accountability
Join writing groups, seek writing partners, or find an accountability buddy who can provide support and motivation. Sharing your progress, receiving feedback, and being part of a community can boost your productivity and keep you inspired.
From writer to published author
The book-writing process is unique to each author, so comparing your progress to others isn’t necessarily useful. Don’t beat yourself up if writing your book is taking you longer than it “should.” Embrace your own pace and focus on consistent progress. By setting clear goals, creating a writing schedule, and seeking support, you can efficiently navigate the writing process and successfully bring your book to life.
Once your book is done, though, the fun really starts. Contact BookBaby to get professional book editing , book cover design , and worldwide distribution for your masterpiece.


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