What is a Novella?

Many fiction writers gravitate toward either novels or short stories, but there’s a powerful form of storytelling that lives between those two extremes. If you enjoy writing fiction that’s more expansive than an average short story, yet not as demanding as a full-length novel, the novella may be the perfect fit for your creative goals.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what a novella is, explore the difference between a novella and other forms of fiction, examine classic and modern novella examples, and share practical tips for writing novellas successfully.

What is a novella?

Simply put, a novella is a work of fiction that is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story. In other words, a novella falls between a short story and a novel, offering writers a unique form of storytelling that balances depth and efficiency.

The term "novella" comes from an Italian word meaning "new," and the novella in literature has a long history, appearing in everything from medieval tales to modern American literature. A novella is generally more focused than a novel, with fewer digressions and a tighter narrative scope.

In terms of word count, novellas generally range from about 15,000 to 40,000 words. This shorter length makes novellas appealing to both writers and readers seeking something short enough to consume quickly yet substantial enough to feel complete.

For comparison:

• Flash fiction is extremely brief (less than 1,000 words)
• Short stories are compact and focused
• A novelette sits just below novella length
• A novella is shorter than a typical novel, but more developed than short fiction

The difference between a novella and a novel

If you’ve ever wondered whether a book is a novella, the answer usually lies in its narrative focus, not just its page count. A novel can usually support a complex plot, multiple subplots, (potentially) numerous points of view, and a large cast of characters. A novella, by contrast, strips the story down to its essentials.

The novella format typically focuses on one central conflict, one primary storyline, and often one main perspective. Instead of juggling multiple arcs, the structure of a novella is more concise.

Why write a novella?

A novella provides creative freedom without overwhelming commitment. For writers who enjoy both novels and short stories, the novella offers a satisfying middle ground. Other writers who write short stories and novels find that novellas sharpen their storytelling skills and improve pacing.

Because novellas are shorter than a novel, they’re often ideal for:

• Exploring a single idea deeply
• Experimenting with structure or voice
• Publishing shorter works independently
• Practicing craft without committing to a full novel

For example, the poet Naomi Shihab Nye wrote her novella Going Going to explore the topic of vanishing small businesses in her hometown.

Novellas can also be written as part of a series. One example is the popular science fiction series The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, in which the first four books are novellas, while the fifth is a full-length novel.

You may even decide to write a novella to spend more time in your fictional world, or with beloved characters, outside the central conflict of your book series! In this case, a novella can be an added bonus for your readers or newsletter subscribers, and doesn't necessarily have to be published.

Examples of novellas in literature

By today's publishing standards, many classic novels could technically be considered novellas just by their length. However, a shorter page count does not necessarily mean the book is a novella.

One of the most famous novellas is The Old Man and the Sea. Ernest Hemingway wrote this work as a novella, and it’s often cited as proof that emotional depth doesn’t require a massive page count. In fact, Hemingway's writing shows how restraint and focus can elevate a story to classic status.

Another contemporary example of a novella is Fonda Lee's Untethered Sky. Lee is primarily known for her series of novels, The Green Bone Saga, and writing a novella allowed her to explore a new fictional world without committing to a whole new series.

Other examples of novellas appear across genres, including historical fiction, literary fiction, and speculative fiction. Many short story collections also include novellas, demonstrating how the form complements other types of short fiction.

Tips for writing a novella

If you want to craft a novella, start by embracing its limitations. As with short stories, the novella form may feel restrictive at first, but those boundaries can actually strengthen your story.

Focus on a single core idea

A novella falls apart when it tries to do too much. Keep the narrative centered on one main conflict and avoid unnecessary digressions. For example, in All Systems Red, the first book in The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, the story covers the events of a few days on one planet, told from one point of view. Later in the series, the longer books expand to multiple locations, storylines, and additional points of view.

Limit your cast

A smaller cast of characters allows for deeper emotional impact and cleaner storytelling. In The Old Man and the Sea, the narrative centers on the protagonist, Santiago, with few supporting characters. Keeping the number of characters limited allows authors to explore deeper character development even within the constraints of fewer words.

Choose a clear structure

Novellas often have a shorter word count than novels, but they still have a beginning, middle, and end! This means that you can follow any of the popular story structures (such as the Save the Cat! beat sheet) when crafting your novella. The difference is that many of the story beats may be closer together, and even overlap in some cases.

Embrace efficiency

As with novels, every scene should serve the story! Many writers find that writing novellas improves their discipline and clarity, especially if they’re also interested in writing a novel later. Try reading popular novellas in your genre to get an idea of how writers make the most of each scene in their stories.

Ready to write a novella?

Ready to write your first novella? Remember to embrace the limitations of this form of writing: a shorter word count, a narrower focus, and an efficient use of scenes. You may find that you prefer this style of storytelling!