  Short Stories
This week: What Happens to the Novella? Edited by: Legerdemain  
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What Happens to the Novella?
What happens when a short story ends up long? You get the novella. I know, the dreaded word. It happens, if you're a short story writer, or a writer of novels, sometimes this funky-sized, 20,000 to 50,000 word, work of fiction lands in your folder that the word novella defines. What do you do with something that's good as is, but a lot smaller than a novel of 80,000 words?
Not much. Until now I generally believed it was a good story, but nothing I'd explore submitting for publication. While there are a few novella writing contests out there, I get a bit leery having to send a few bucks along with something I think isn't the right size for publishing.
Until recently, I didn't think there was much of a market for it. Then I read an article by Jack Smith from The Writer that included some interviews with publishers and what they think about publishing the novella. The feedback from the publishers was positive about novellas and the went on to explain what they do with the stories and how they market them.
I feel pretty encouraged at the moment and might take the time to poke around on the old hard drive and see (once again) if there is something worth sending out for publication. There's a lot of dust there, and some old cringe-worthy writing, but who knows? This might be the start of something fun! See what you have laying around, and investigate sending out your novella, it might end up published. Good luck and as always, Write On.
Article reference link: https://www.writermag.com/2017/10/04/novella/
This month's question: What do you do with a story that ends up novella-sized? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback!
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Excerpt: "Teresa," I said "I just can't face everyone now. My goodbye doesn't feel complete. I'm going home for a while."
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#2136580 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: The Necklace of Majlaa was somewhere in the cabin. Lara Croft's heart sped up at the thought of possessing it. She knew that she wouldn't relax until she had it in her hands.
Excerpt: Growing up as "the junior" to Jacob Aaron Sullivan was, to put it mildly, a sort of hell on Earth, and being the sole offspring had made it so that I had no choice but to exclusively benefit from my old man's constant expressions of disappointment.
| | | Stranded (13+)
An incompatible couple is stranded on a deserted island.
#2134764 by Dee  |
Excerpt: "What? It's my fault the boat sprang a leak?"
"No. But it is your fault for buying that piece of junk when you know nothing about them!"
Excerpt: “Just imagine,” she said. “Two million years ago, sentient creatures much like ourselves strolled around these grand halls, while on Earth Homo erectus fumbled with stone axes and marveled at their latest discovery—fire.”
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Excerpt: “Well, good afternoon, young lady,” Gerald Cates held up a hand to guard his eyes and blinked against the morning glare. Standing on his front stoop was the little blonde girl, her clipboard held tight against her chest. “I see the Lily Scouts are right on time for their fall sales crusade.” He clapped his hands together with a meaty pop. “What do we have on the menu this year?”
A big daily prize! Give it a shot!
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Excerpt: "If she had dancing slippers she might smile again," the bunny thought. So she watched and waited. Waited and watched. The slippers danced closer and closer.
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#2135333 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: To preclude such a monumental calamity from happening, Edith had to remain alive. Friends, neighbors, and Social Security must be kept in the dark. To make this happen and to remedy the impending negative impact to his bottom line, Lowell conjured a sudden out-of-town trip for Edith. All inquisitors of his dear wife's whereabouts would be told she was visiting a sister in Norway. In point of fact, Edith had no sister in Norway; the trip Lowell planned for his beloved Edith was to be a bit more sinister.
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This month's question: What do you do with a story that ends up novella-sized? Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
Last month's question: Have you ever been distracted by a bad detail in a story?
charitykountz replied: Distracted? Absolutely. At one point in my children's book, the Snowman wore a watch. I had humanized him so much in my mind it felt like he should have a watch. Fortunately I caught it in editing.
Kate - Writing & Reading  answered: This month's question: Have you ever been distracted by a bad detail in a story? Yes. Consider the western movie where a member of the posse is wearing a wristwatch; a comedy where a young man on his first date is wearing a wedding ring and a signet ring. In a novel or short story, it's more disconcerting, i.e., the victim was drowned in the desert (no oasis). Maybe it's because we naturally read as writers we are more likely to notice anomalies?
Quick-Quill  submitted: At my writing group meeting last night a new member read a piece from her work in progress. I had no previous knowledge of her writing, yet by the time she was done, word choice let me know it was a fantasy with shapeshifters and magic. A strong female lead character and a hint of intrigue. She didn't TELL me all that, she dropped hints by referencing character and her actions. I can't wait to see more about this story. |
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Short Stories: October 18, 2017 Issue [#8559]
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