How lengthy ought to your story be? Nicely, there are quite a lot of choices and this weblog will information you thru them! As a result of totally different lengths of fiction have totally different markets and audiences. And it’s at all times very useful to know what the choices are and the way the market works for these choices!
Only a caveat: as at all times, definitions could be versatile with regards to artwork! This useful resource contains essentially the most normal phrase counts for every kind of story size, from novels and novelettes, to quick tales and microfiction subtypes. When you’re writing for publication, at all times verify with the writer, journal or anthology to know precisely what they’re on the lookout for.
Serial Fiction & Net Fiction
Serial fiction and net fiction could be very VERY lengthy – usually lots of of 1000’s of phrases! However it’s not meant to be learn in a single sitting. Readers tune in every week or so for a brand new installment, and the writing time can span years. It’s is commonly revealed on-line via platforms like World Anvil or Royal Highway. The phrase rely of every installment can range extensively (from 500 phrase chunks to chapters of a number of thousand phrases). Every launch often appears like an “episode” – extra like an extended operating TV present than a film.
Serial fiction is among the fastest-growing codecs, particularly in fantasy, romance, and LitRPG genres. It permits you, as an writer, to construct up an ongoing relationship along with your readers, hooking them again in for an everyday replace. A variety of profitable net serials additionally go on to grow to be revealed novels (for instance, The Wandering Inn or Worm). And even higher, you possibly can develop your viewers and get suggestions as you write, which may make this an extremely rewarding format to discover.
If you wish to know extra about getting began with serial fiction, try our Information to Serial Fiction video.
How lengthy is a novel?
A novel often runs between 80,000 and 120,000 phrases. There’s quite a lot of variance, although, relying in your chosen style. For instance, romance novels tends to be shorter; and epic fantasy tends to be a lot, for much longer, generally up 150,000 phrases or extra! Authors trying to promote their writer to a standard writer – particularly debut authors – ought to think about erring on the shorter aspect. Sadly, conventional publishers are much less prone to danger the additional prices of an extended novel (printing, modifying, and so on!) with an unproven writer. However after all, there are exceptions!
When you’re self-publishing you’ve gotten extra freedom over the size, though well-read readers may have expectations primarily based on style.
When you have far more materials than that, don’t fear! You possibly can completely share worldbuilding and setting particulars, characters and deleted scenes along with your readers via on-line platforms. That’s a good way to immerse your readers in your world, and construct a neighborhood round you’re employed. Some writers even monetise this materials via Patreon, Kofi and comparable platforms, so avid followers can assist them past simply shopping for the ebook. You possibly can set all of this up on World Anvil.
How lengthy is a Novella?
Novellas are often round 17,500 to 40,000 phrases, shorter than a novel, however lengthy sufficient to ship a robust story with actual depth. They’re usually extra tightly targeted on a single character or theme, and could be consumed in a single or two sittings. Well-known examples embrace The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and Of Mice and Males by John Steinbeck, in addition to more moderen works like Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries.
Novellas have had a resurgence because of digital publishing and subscription providers, since readers take pleasure in digestible however significant tales they’ll end rapidly. When you’re worldbuilding on World Anvil, novellas are a improbable method to showcase your setting with out the large funding of a novel-length sequence.
Novelette – 7,500 to 17,500 phrases
A novelette is an extended quick story, often giving house for a extra advanced plot, a bigger solid, or deeper worldbuilding. It’s a stunning “in-between” kind—quick sufficient to be learn in a single sitting, however lengthy sufficient to actually immerse the reader. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Affiliation (SFWA) formally defines novelettes on this vary, and also you’ll usually see them as classes in awards just like the Hugo and Nebula.
When you’re writing speculative fiction, a novelette is a good size for exploring “what if” ideas that want greater than a brief story, however don’t fairly stretch to novella measurement.
How lengthy is a Quick Story?
A brief story is often between 1,000 – 7,500 phrases. That is the commonest kind revealed in magazines and anthologies. The sweet-spot for publication, particularly for newer authors submitting to magazines, is often 3,000-4,000 phrases. Once more, every anthology and journal has their very own specifics, and a few will outline what size they would favor, and the place their reduce off is.
Flash Fiction – 1000 phrases
Only a warning, flash fiction isn’t outlined by each quick story journal as 1000 phrases . I’ve seen at the very least one which caps out flash fiction at 800 phrases . So in case you are writing quick tales to undergo the quick story journal market ensure you doublecheck what the size is in response to every publication.
Micro fiction is an umbrella time period for all fiction beneath 300 phrases. There are a number of classes of quick fiction inside this size, and a few publications specialise inside this house too! These are sometimes quick and enjoyable items to jot down, and capitalize on flavour and vibes over plot.
What’s a Drabble?
A Drabble is a really quick story of precisely 100 phrases – this requires some precision and finesse to hold off! They’re a really enjoyable size to jot down to, and there are a number of publications that specialize in Drabbles. Typically they’re extra like a vignette, capturing a second in phrases, reasonably than a full story with developed plot and characters. Quick and enjoyable to learn and write. There aren’t many paying markets for Drabbles however they are often very satisfying to craft.
Twabbles / Twitfic – precisely 100 characters
Twabbles, also called Twitfic, are precisely 100 characters. Like Drabbles, they want a certain quantity of jiggery-pokery to ensure they’re the proper size, however they’re a really enjoyable writing train to provide. Twabbles could be about every part, however with such a brief character rely, each selection is vital! I like to recommend utilizing a thesaurus to get your self over the end line! They’re wonderful for sharing on social media (because the identify suggests). Additionally, each Drabbles and Twabbles make wonderful scene setting quotes for worldbuilding articles! Beginning an article with slightly snap shot of vibes-intensive fiction is a good way to set the scene to your followers.
What’s #VSS365 ? Very quick tales!
The VSS, or very quick story, is a social media pattern. The precise size is outlined by the character restrict in your social media of selection (traditionally Twitter, though Bluesky is more and more in style!)
The hashtag #VSS365 refers to an off-the-cuff problem, the place authors problem themselves to jot down a brief story daily on the social media of their selection. It’s an ideal writing heat up and a great way to interact your viewers!
If #VSS365 sounds an excessive amount of, you may completely do #VSS52 as an alternative – one per week for 52 weeks!
Six-word story
A six phrase story is, because the identify suggests, precisely 6 phrases lengthy! Essentially the most well-known instance is attributed to Hemingway: “On the market: child footwear, by no means worn.” Margaret Atwood additionally has the fabulous instance “Longed for him. Acquired him. Sh*t.” And science fiction and fantasy legend Ursula Okay. LeGuin famously wrote “Simple. Simply contact the match to”
The artwork of the six phrase story is which means via brevity, and as you possibly can see, there’s quite a lot of story telling in only a small fragment of textual content. These are actually enjoyable to attempt, and make nice social media posts for authors!
Are you able to write a narrative in six phrases or fewer? Have a go within the feedback!
