Novella

A novella is a work of fiction longer than a short story and shorter than a novel, typically between about 20,000 and 40,000 words, with the focus and economy of a short story at a larger scale.

The Old Man and the Sea is under 30,000 words. It follows one man, one fish and one stretch of days. A novella can hold a full story arc, but it does so with a narrow lens.

What defines it

• Length. Longer than a short story, shorter than most novels.
• Focus. Usually one main storyline, with few or no subplots and a small cast.
• Economy. Each scene earns its place. There is little room for digression.
• Intensity. The pace is closer to a short story's, held for longer.

Where novellas shine

Novellas suit stories with one strong idea that needs space to develop but would stretch thin over a novel's length. They are popular in science fiction and horror, in literary fiction and in serial publishing. Digital publishing has made them viable again, since an ebook does not need to hit a printer's page count.

Why it matters to a writer or editor

Knowing the form helps a writer choose the right size for an idea. A story that feels overstuffed as a short story and thin as a novel may be a novella. For an editor, length is a diagnostic: a draft that runs 60,000 words with only a thin plot may be a novella waiting to be tightened, while a short story at 12,000 words with too many characters may want to grow. Compare flash fiction, which sits at the other end, and use three-act structure to check the shape.

Frequently asked questions

How many words is a novella?

Usually 20,000 to 40,000, though definitions vary. Some prizes use 17,500 to 40,000, and others stretch to 50,000.

What are famous novellas?

The Old Man and the Sea, Of Mice and Men, Heart of Darkness, A Christmas Carol, Animal Farm and The Metamorphosis.

Is a novella easier to write than a novel?

It is shorter, not easier. The form leaves little room for slack, and every scene has to carry weight.