Self-Publishing FAQ: How Long Should My Book Be? 

Is there such a thing as a magical word count for a self-published book that’s guaranteed to turn a profit on Amazon? Ehhhhh, not quite. Self-publishing doesn’t come with an “easy button.” Still, there is a sweet spot that can increase your odds of making way more book sales on Amazon, and we have the data to back it up. 

Our coaches have a combined total of over 100 years of self-publishing experience, and our AIA course packs all that knowledge into digestible, beginner-friendly modules. The course focuses on non-fiction, and we’ve found 30,000 words to be as close to a magic number as possible. 

The Benefits of a 30,000-Word Count Book

So, what’s the big deal about 30k words? 

• Optimal Reader Engagement: This length is ideal for covering a topic in-depth while keeping the content concise enough to maintain reader interest. Let’s be honest: attention spans these days just aren’t what they used to be, and people are BUSY!
• Efficiency in Writing and Publishing: A book of about 30,000 words is manageable in terms of writing, editing, and production. It allows for a quicker turnaround from manuscript to published work. And you don’t even have to do the writing or editing yourself. 
• Market Viability: You’ll find that 30k words is the market average across thousands of niches (though it’s always best to do your own competitor research as you begin each new book because things change). 

Pro Tip: 30k became our AIA program’s “magic number” after tons of research and thousands of case studies. We saw that audiobook sales and royalties significantly increase once you hit the 3-hour threshold, and 30k words typically produce a 3-hour-long narration. If your narration and word count are shorter, then you’re leaving money on the table. 

Additional Advantages for Format Conversion and Royalties

Our students get into self-publishing because they want to make money with Kindle, and the 30k length is optimized to do just that! Here’s the breakdown: 

• Ease of Conversion: Books with around 30,000 words are easier to convert into various formats, including eBooks, audiobooks, and print. More formats = Reaching a wider audience and maximizing distribution channels. Read more on how long should your eBook be.
• Maximizing Royalties: Shorter books = Less printing costs.

Balancing Word Count with Content Quality

When you’re working with 30k words, you need to make every word count. 

The best way to stay on track with quality is to start off with a thorough, well-researched outline (which you can also outsource). This will keep your ghostwriter focused as they bring the manuscript to life. 

Another helpful tip when working with a ghostwriter is to set progress checkpoints rather than waiting for a full manuscript. That way, you can spot any issues or concerns with the voice or tone ahead of time and redirect them.  

Where Quality Publishing Meets Profits 

If 30k words sounds like a mountain to climb, we’re here to reassure you. ANYONE can pick it up quickly. We’ve worked with grandmas, farmers, counselors, and scuba divers. NONE of them had any sort of publishing or writing experience (and you don’t need to)! 

Our free webinar simplifies the publishing process and makes it as beginner friendly as possible. You’ll see exactly how it all works and how to tap into a goldmine of ideas hidden in plain sight on Amazon. 

Give yourself the gift of being your own boss! This is YOUR year!