How Long Does It Take to Write a Book?

Writing a book is one of the most rewarding yet challenging undertakings for any writer—whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a business leader with a story to tell, or a thought leader planning a nonfiction manuscript. One of the most frequently asked questions by beginners and even seasoned writers is: “How long does it take to write a book?”

The truth is, there’s no single answer. The time it takes to write a book depends on several factors: the type of book, the writer’s experience, the writing process, the available time, and the level of commitment. In this blog, we’ll break down each of these factors, provide real-world examples, and help you estimate your own timeline.

Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Write a Book

Before assigning a specific number of weeks or months, let’s explore the key elements that influence your timeline:

Type of Book

The genre and complexity of your book significantly impact the writing time.

• Fiction (Novels, Short Stories): Character development, plot structure, world-building, and dialogue all take time. A fantasy novel, for example, may take longer than a contemporary romance due to the need for extensive world-building.
• Nonfiction: Business books, memoirs, self-help books, or whitepapers often involve research, interviews, or fact-checking, which can add to the writing time.
• Children’s Books: While the word count is lower, children’s books require clarity, creativity, and often collaboration with illustrators.

Word Count

Typical word counts by genre:

• Novella: 20,000–40,000 words
• Nonfiction or self-help: 40,000–70,000 words
• Full-length novel: 70,000–100,000+ words
• Epic fantasy or sagas: 100,000–150,000+ words

The longer the book, the more time it generally takes.

Writing Experience

A seasoned writer with several books under their belt will likely move faster than someone writing their first manuscript. Experience helps with pacing, avoiding writer’s block, and understanding narrative structure.

Writing Schedule

If you can only write an hour a day, your timeline will be longer than someone writing full-time. For example:

• 500 words per day = 60,000-word book in 4 months
• 1,000 words per day = 60,000-word book in 2 months

Research Requirements

If your book requires substantial research—like historical novels or technical nonfiction—expect to spend additional weeks or months gathering and verifying information.

Typical Timeframes for Writing a Book

Here’s a general overview of how long it can take to write a book, based on different commitment levels and writing speeds.

Casual Writers (Part-Time)

• Frequency: 2–3 times a week
• Daily Output: 500–800 words per session
• Time to Completion: 6 months to 1 year

This is the most common timeline for people juggling jobs, families, or other commitments.

Focused Writers (Regular Schedule)

• Frequency: Daily writing or 5 days a week
• Daily Output: 1,000–1,500 words
• Time to Completion: 3 to 6 months

This approach works well for writers treating their project like a part-time job or second career.

Full-Time Writers

• Frequency: 5–7 days a week
• Daily Output: 2,000–3,000+ words
• Time to Completion: 1 to 3 months

Full-time authors or ghostwriters on contract often work this way, especially when under deadline.

Examples from Famous Authors

Looking at how long famous writers took to complete their books gives us a broader perspective:

• K. Rowling took 6 years to write Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
• George R.R. Martin often takes 5–10 years between books in A Song of Ice and Fire.
• Stephen King is known for writing quickly. He wrote Carrie in just 3 months.
• Ernest Hemingway wrote The Old Man and the Sea in 8 weeks.

These examples prove there’s no “standard” time frame. It depends on inspiration, process, and life circumstances.

The Writing Process Breakdown

Writing a book isn’t just about putting words on the page. Here’s a breakdown of the full process and how long each phase typically takes:

Planning and Outlining (1–4 weeks)

Most writers begin with brainstorming, research, outlining chapters, and developing a structure. Skipping this step can lead to time-consuming rewrites later.

First Draft (1–6 months)

This is where you get the full story or content down on paper. Speed varies greatly depending on the author’s routine.

Revisions and Editing (1–3 months)

Rewriting, developmental editing, and refining your draft can take as long as the initial writing phase. If working with a professional editor, factor in their schedule too.

Proofreading and Final Touches (2–4 weeks)

This includes correcting typos, formatting, and preparing for publication.

Publishing or Querying (Varies)

If self-publishing, the post-writing phase includes cover design, ISBN registration, and uploading to platforms like Amazon KDP. If traditionally publishing, querying agents or publishers can take several months to years.

Tips to Write a Book Faster Without Sacrificing Quality

Want to speed up the process without rushing your art? Here are some tips:

• Set a daily word count goal: Small, consistent progress is better than sporadic bursts.
• Use writing tools: Software like Scrivener or Google Docs with productivity add-ons can help you stay organized.
• Avoid over-editing the first draft: Just get the story down—polishing comes later.
• Create a writing schedule: Treat writing like a job. Choose the same time each day to write.
• Join writing communities: Accountability groups or writing sprints can boost motivation.
• Hire a ghostwriter or editor: If time is limited, professionals can help you bring your book to life faster.

How to Estimate Your Own Book Timeline

Here’s a simple formula to help estimate your writing timeline:

Total Word Count ÷ Average Daily Word Count = Days to Complete First Draft

Example:

• Goal: 60,000 words
• Daily output: 1,000 words
• Timeline: 60 days (or 2 months)

Add 1–2 months for revisions and editing, and you have a full timeline of 3–4 months.

Conclusion: So, How Long Does It Really Take?

Depending on your genre, lifestyle, experience, and commitment, writing a book can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years. While some authors finish books in 30 days (hello, NaNoWriMo!), others spend a decade crafting a masterpiece.

The most important thing is consistency. Whether you write 300 or 3,000 words a day, what matters is that you keep going. Every great book started with a blank page. The question isn’t just “How long will it take?” but also, “How much are you willing to commit?”

Start small, build momentum, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your book begins to take shape.