How to Publish a Novel
The short answer
A novel is a book of fiction told as a story, typically 70,000 to 100,000 words for adult fiction. To publish one, finish and edit the manuscript, design a cover that signals its genre, get an ISBN, then print, usually as a 5.5x8.5 or 6x9 paperback.
Published October 2026 · By Harmony Publishing Editorial Team
What makes a novel different from other books?
Readers of fiction buy on genre, cover and the first pages. A romance, a thriller and a fantasy each have expectations for length, cover style and pacing, and a cover that signals the wrong genre loses sales.
A novel is also the longest manuscript most authors write, so editing is the biggest job: structure, then sentences, then proofreading.
How to publish a novel, step by step
- Finish the draft, then put it away for a few weeks and read it fresh.
- Get feedback from beta readers in your genre before you pay for editing.
- Edit in order: a developmental edit for plot, character and pacing; a line edit and copy edit for sentences and consistency; a proofread of the laid-out pages.
- Design a cover for the genre. Look at the bestselling covers in your genre and aim for a cover that sits among them while still being yours.
- Format the interior for the trim size you chose, with consistent chapter openings, a readable body font and correct front and back matter.
- Get an ISBN for each format (paperback, hardcover, eBook), and register your copyright if you want the legal benefits of registration.
- Order a proof copy, read it end to end, then print or release through print on demand.
- Plan the launch: a description, categories and keywords for retailers, review copies and a way for readers to find book two.
Length, size and price
Page count follows word count and trim size: a 5.5x8.5 page holds fewer words than a 6x9 page, so the same novel runs longer in the smaller size. The free word-count-to-page-count tool estimates it, rounded up to a multiple of 4 as printing needs.
What does it cost to print a novel?
5.5x8.5 is a popular fiction size, and cream paper is the usual choice for long runs of text. 320 pages is about 80,000 to 90,000 words.
Harmony Publishing's printing price for a 320 pages, 5.5x8.5 paperback, black-and-white interior, 60lb Natural paper, from our live printing cost calculator (see also the full 5.5x8.5 paperback printing cost page):
| Copies | Price per copy | Printing total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $100.97 | $100.97 |
| 25 | $14.05 | $351.20 |
| 100 | $11.25 | $1,124.54 |
| 250 | $10.89 | $2,723.12 |
Printing only: delivery and the sales tax for your state are added once you enter your ZIP. Your own page count, size and paper change the price, so price your real book in the calculator.
Publishing a novel with Harmony
Harmony Publishing is a full-service self-publishing and book printing company that has published 1,000+ books for 500+ authors in 20+ countries, and authors keep 100% of their royalties. We can edit, design, format, give your novel an ISBN and print it, or you can do any of those steps yourself and use us only for printing.
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Frequently asked questions
How many words should a novel be?
Many adult novels run 70,000 to 100,000 words, though genres differ: thrillers and romances often run shorter, epic fantasy longer. First novels outside that range are harder to sell.
What trim size is best for a novel?
5.5x8.5 and 6x9 inches are the common choices, and 5x8 suits shorter books. A smaller trim costs a little less per page but runs to more pages.
Do I need a professional cover?
For fiction, the cover is the main sales tool. A cover that signals the genre clearly is worth more than most other spending.