Can the Number of Pages Make or Break A Book?

A Strategic Guide for First-Time Authors in India

Why Page Count Is More Than Just a Number

When you’re preparing for your first book publication, one of the most overlooked yet critical decisions is the number of pages in a book. It’s not just about how many pages you can write—it’s about how many your audience will read, your budget can support, and your publishing goals can justify.

Whether you’re working with book publishers in India or self-publishing or publishing through independent publishers, understanding the strategic role of the number of pages in a book can make or break your book’s success.

How Many Pages In a Book: What Really Matters

Instead of asking “What should be the number of pages in a book?”, ask:

• Who is my reader?
• What genre am I writing in?
• What is my publishing model?
• Am I an established author/first-time author and at what point in an author’s journey are you placed?
• The audience for whom you are writing the book. Both age to paying capacity will determine a book length
• Your writing skills and the topic on which you are writing.
• What is my marketing and pricing strategy?

A combination of the above points will determine whether your book should be 50 pages long, as in a children’s book or 300 pages long in a historical-fiction or a non-fiction book.

For a first book release, 200 pages or fewer is enough. One can also look at authors like Chetan Bhagat, who continue to release books well below the 300-page mark to this day. This is because readers across different cities and professional backgrounds prefer quick reads that fit into their hectic schedules. The genre also becomes a factor, as a romantic slice-of-life drama typically excludes details and relies on dialogue to advance the plot.

For example, a fiction and non-fiction hybrid book by a first-time author The $100 Million Tigress, aimed at working professionals, benefited from a concise 180-page format, while a historical novel might demand 300+ pages to do justice to its scope. For a first-time writer, these questions will also affect how you write.

First-time writers face a tougher time getting published. One of the factors that can make this process easier is writing a concise book, a story that is neither too long nor too short. How does one decide what is too long? How many pages should a book have?

Genre-Specific Number of Pages in a Book Benchmarks

Here’s a fresh look at average page counts across genres, tailored for Indian authors:

Genre	Ideal Page Range	Why It Works
Self-help / Business	120–200 pages	Digestible, actionable content
Romance / Contemporary	150–220 pages	Quick reads for urban audiences
Mythology / Historical	300–400 pages	Rich detail and layered plots
Short Story Book	80–150 pages	Ideal for digital and print bundles
Memoir / Autobiography	180–250 pages	Balanced storytelling and pacing

How Many Words On a Page? Word Count vs Page Count

Many first-time authors confuse word count with page count. Here’s how they relate:

• 250–300 words per page (standard formatting)
• 50,000–60,000 words = ~200 pages
• Font, spacing, and trim size all influence final page count

For example, a book in English formatted at 5.5 x 8.5 inches with 12 pt font will yield fewer pages than the same manuscript printed in a larger trim size.

How to Determine the Cost of Publishing a Book? More Pages, More Investment

Every additional page increases your publishing cost—editing, formatting, printing, and shipping. If you’re working with a publishing group or publishing houses in India, they’ll often recommend a leaner manuscript for your debut.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Publishing Element	Impact of More Pages
Editing & Proofreading	Higher cost and longer timelines
Printing	Increased paper and ink usage
Shipping	Heavier books = higher logistics cost
Retail Pricing	May need to raise price, affecting sales

📌 Zorba Books helps authors balance quality and cost with tailored publishing programs.

Reader Psychology: Why Shorter Books Sell

Modern readers—especially in India’s metro cities—prefer books they can finish in a few sittings. A 180-page short story book or a 200-page romance novel fits perfectly into their lifestyle.

Even bestselling authors like Durjoy Datta and Preeti Shenoy often release books under 250 pages. Their success proves that brevity, when paired with strong storytelling, can outperform lengthier works.

Tip: Shorter books are easier to market, especially for debut authors without an existing fan base.

Traditional vs Self-Publishing: Page Count Expectations

If you’re submitting to traditional publishing houses like Penguin Random House, they may expect genre-specific word counts and discourage overly long manuscripts from debut authors.

In contrast, self-publishing gives you more freedom—but that doesn’t mean you should ignore reader expectations. A bloated manuscript can hurt your reviews and sales.

Tip: Use professional editing to trim excess and sharpen your narrative.

Marketing Tip: Use Page Count as a Selling Point

Your book’s length can be a marketing asset. Highlight it in your blurb or video promotions:

“A powerful 180-page guide to mastering your mindset.”
“A 90-minute read that will change how you see relationships.”

Pair this with SEO-friendly videos using keywords like “how to write and publish books” and “short story book” to boost discoverability.

Case Study: A Debut Author’s Smart Strategy

A first-time author from Gurgaon wrote a 100-page Hide But Seek book targeting young professionals. By keeping the manuscript concise and pricing it under ₹250, she gained traction on Amazon and Flipkart. Her use of targeted campaigns helped her reach a wider audience.

A famous example of first-time authors and the number of pages is the Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling. The first book in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone series was only about 224 pages long. As its popularity increased, the number of pages for each Harry Potter release also went up. This happens when an author’s growing popularity guarantees many readers, encouraging the author to experiment with narrative details and characters. With the success of the first book, the reader also trusts the author’s writing style and is willing to invest money and time in a longer work.

Final Word: Write Smart, Not Long

Your book’s length should serve your story—not the other way around. Whether you’re working with book publishers in India or going solo, aim for clarity, impact, and readability.

Ready to Publish Your Book?

Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or a book in English on personal growth, your publishing journey deserves expert support. Zorba Books offers customised publishing programs that help you craft, polish, and publish your book with confidence.

The writing and publishing process is intricately tied to each other. See how a simple question like “how many pages should my book be?” works with several elements important to your story. Try some of these tips, and let us know how they worked for you!

Share This Blog

Know someone struggling with their manuscript length? Share this post and help them write smarter!

Related Posts

Numbering the Pages of Your Book

Number of Pages Matter

Book Title Ideas