Notes on Novellas

The rise of the novella is looming large for 2019. The novella, longer than a short story, but smaller than a novel, seems to fit into the fast-paced lifestyle of many Americans who want the thrill of reading a good book without all the time commitment. Many have the Amazon Kindle app on their phone, tablet, and computer and that convenience has opened up a whole new market of readers who pour through these condensed stories like coffee. Here's some of what you need to know to be a successful novella author.

#1. Your novella has to be just as complete and entertaining as a novel. That means your word choice and writing must be tight and concise. Think like a poet when writing your novella and you’ll avoid using three words when one will do and will make sure every character has a specific purpose to the storyline. 

#2. Your novella must have a depth that goes beyond the usual short story. Characters and plot lines must still be fully developed and well rounded. Consider your novella a three-course meal vs. a full spread. The courses in the three-course dinner must be savory and appealing because there is less to eat.

#3. Your novella should readily lend itself to being an ebook. Most readers consume novellas on e-readers and that presents some challenges in formatting. Don’t use fancy fonts, graphics, charts, or convoluted text; they get removed or go wonky in the conversion to e-format. Let your writing speak for itself.  

Island City Publishing LLC will be reopening to query submissions on Jan. 16, 2019, National Book Publishers Day, and yes, we will be considering novellas for publication in 2019.