The normal words per modern novel matter in several ways. Firstly, from a reader's perspective, it can determine how much time and commitment they need to invest. A shorter word - count novel might be a quick read for a commute, while a long one is for more dedicated reading sessions. Secondly, for the author, it helps in structuring the narrative. If aiming for a certain genre's typical word count, they know how much to expand or condense their ideas. Thirdly, in the publishing world, it can influence the cost of production and the price point. Longer novels may cost more to print, and thus might be priced higher.