Novel and Novella

Novel

A novel is a fictional narrative written in chapters with a complex plot and characters, unlike a novella or short story. Novels are generally longer than 40,000 words, although 70,000 to 100,000 words are the typical length for this form of fiction. However, there are exceptions to every rule: George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is 30,000 words, and Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” comes in at around 560,000 words, yet both are considered novels. Novels come in different genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance.

Novella

A novella is also referred to as a short novel. It is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. It is typically written in one volume and contains a single plot or story. Acceptable word counts vary between publishers and literary organizations but typically fall between 20,000 and 40,000 words. Some publishers recognize as few as 17,500 words as an acceptable count. Novellas are written without chapter breaks, and the complexity of the storyline sits midway between the novel and the short story.

Novelette

Novelettes are similar to novellas but have a word count of up to 20,000 words. They are shorter than novellas but longer than short stories. Novelettes often focus on a single incident or character. The novelette format lies between a novel and a short story. Novelette are often published in literary magazines or anthologies. The term is not widely used because it is seen in some circles as a derogatory term for a sub-standard novel.

Short Story

A short story is a piece of fiction that is shorter than a novel. It is often published in magazines and anthologies and typically between 1,000 and 7,500 words. By definition, it is brief and to the point, with a concise plot and a straightforward conclusion. Short stories are written to be read in one sitting, and as such, there are no chapters or tangible breaks in the storytelling. A short-story narrative tells a tale concisely and economically without the need for excessive descriptions.