As a writing coach, there’s one question I get all the time: “How long does it take to write a book?”
Seems like a simple question, right?
Unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as it may seem.
But let’s break it down.
The 4 Key Variables That Determine How Long It Takes to Write a Book
There’s no universal stopwatch for novel-writing, but if we look at the industry and break things into bite-sized pieces, we can make some pretty reasonable estimates.
Four key variables determine your timeline:
- Book Length (word count)
- Your Writing Speed (words per hour)
- Your Weekly Writing Time
- Revision Time
Let’s unpack each of these.
1. Book Length: Think in Words, Not Pages
Forget pages—they’re meaningless. Fonts, margins, and trim size all affect how many pages show up in your final product.
Word count is the gold standard.
For most genre fiction writers, a solid target is 80,000 words.
That’s a nice middle ground:
- Thrillers or romance? You might go as low as 60,000.
- Fantasy or sci-fi? Could climb to 100,000+.
But for our math today (keeping in mind I fully acknowledge that I kinda suck at math), we’ll stick with 80,000 words.
2. Writing Speed: What’s Your Words-Per-Hour Rate?
Writers range widely here.
Some authors crank out 500 words per hour, others zoom through at 2,000 or more, especially if they use dictation software.
But let’s assume you’re writing at a comfortable 1,000 words per hour, which is a realistic pace for many writers.
So, how long would it take to write 80,000 words at that rate?
80 hours.
That’s your first draft.
3. Writing Time: How Many Hours Per Week Do You Actually Have?
Here’s where we get real.
Most writers don’t have 40 hours a week to write (though yes, you could theoretically finish a first draft in two weeks if you did).
Most of my clients have jobs, kids, partners, social lives, and a Netflix backlog…
They might write:
- 1 hour per week → Finish in ~1.5 years
or
- 3.5 hours per week → Finish in ~6 months
Three and a half hours a week might mean three one-hour writing sessions, or a single Saturday morning. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely doable.
That’s why my First Draft coaching program is built around a six-month timeline:
If you commit to writing 1,000 words an hour, for 3–4 hours a week, you’ll finish your draft in about half a year.
4. Revisions: The Biggest Wildcard
This is the trickiest variable. There’s no magical red light that flashes and says, “You’re done revising!”
You only stop revising when:
- You hit a publisher’s established deadline
- You set a personal deadline
- You’re just sick of looking at the damn thing
So, how much time should you spend revising?
My rule of thumb?
Double the time of your first draft.
That means:
- 6 months to draft
- 12 months to revise (if you revise at the same weekly pace)
That may seem like a long time, but revision is where the real book gets written.
And if you’re committed to improving your craft and producing a professional-quality novel, revisions deserve your time and energy.
So… What’s the Final Answer?
How long does it take to write a book?
If you’re writing an 80,000-word novel, at 1,000 words per hour, for 3–4 hours a week, and you follow it with thoughtful revisions:
About a year.
That’s a realistic, sustainable, life-compatible timeline.
It’s also in line with the traditional publishing industry.
Most big-name authors release a book a year (Stephen King, James Patterson, you name it). And while those authors may have teams and full-time writing gigs, they also have deadlines.
YOU can match that pace without burning out, if you structure your time wisely.
Want to Get It Done? Let’s Write Together
If you’re tired of asking “how long will this take?” and want to start making progress, join First Draft, where writers like you complete their novels without quitting their day jobs or giving up their sanity.
—
Kevin T. Johns is a writing coach who helps authors finish their first drafts without burning out, because writing a book in a year isn’t just possible, it’s practical. Get his checklist for turning ordinary scenes into literary gold: Download the FREE Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist Now!
