Chapter Book Word Count Guide
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
As an aspiring children’s book writer, you might be interested in breaking into the chapter book market but aren't quite sure where to start. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the chapter book category, including target age group, chapter book word count, page count, protagonist ages, and best practice advice for writing and publishing chapter books.
Chapter Book Age Range
Let's dive right in and start with the age group for chapter books. Chapter books are typically geared towards children ages seven to nine, although there is some wiggle room here. Your content should be suitable for emerging readers who have advanced beyond picture books and early readers but are not yet ready for full-length middle grade novels. With this in mind, it's important to keep your target audience in mind when writing your chapter book and to use age-appropriate language, plotlines, and characters.
Chapter Book Word Count
When it comes to chapter book word count and page count, these numbers can vary depending on the author, publisher, and audience. As a general guideline, aim for a chapter book word count between 10,000 and 15,000 words. Page count can vary greatly with formatting, and a manuscript’s page count has very little to do with a finished chapter book product, which generally comes in between 60 and 120 pages. This length of material offers enough substance for young readers without overwhelming them with too much text. It's also essential to note that the above chapter book word count figures typically stretch across short chapters (fewer than 1,000 words each) to help keep the young reader engaged and encourage audiences to keep developing their skills.
Chapter Book Protagonist Age
While the target audience for chapter books tends to be in the seven-to-nine age range, the protagonists in the story typically skew towards the older end of these numbers. This allows young readers to identify with and aspire towards characters who are slightly older and have already experienced some of the challenges your audience may be facing. However, the protagonist should not be too old (eleven or older), as the content can easily become too mature for the intended audience. If you’re interested in writing a tween character, consider the next age category: middle grade.
Writing and Publishing Chapter Books
Let’s round out this article with some chapter book publishing best practices. First, make sure your story is engaging and interesting for your young audience. It's crucial to avoid talking down to children or underestimating their ability to understand complex storylines and ideas, though the challenge is to present these without overly complex or convoluted language or sentence structure (keeping the above chapter book word count guidelines in mind). Your goal is to write fiction that’s relatable, straightforward, and engaging. Second, consider hiring an experienced freelance editor who specializes in chapter book editing, as this is a very specific market, and not everyone who offers editorial services may know this publishing landscape. This will ensure that your book is polished and free of errors and that it meets expectations for chapter book word count, content, and writing style. Third, research reputable literary agents who specialize in chapter books, as they can connect you to a traditional publisher who is likely to work with this children’s book age group.
In conclusion, writing and publishing chapter books can be a fantastic way to engage young readers and inspire a dynamic audience. Keep the reader’s age in mind, aim for a chapter book word count between 10,000 and 15,000 words, and keep each chapter short and impactful without using stiff or convoluted language. Remember to develop relatable and engaging characters, and consider engaging professional editing and publishing support. With these tips, you can write and publish a chapter book that will captivate your young readers and create a love of reading that will last a lifetime.
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