Novella

Exact classifications of book types vary by genre: romantic novels tend to be quite short, crime fiction is a little longer and science fiction and fantasy books can be quite chunky. The differences reflect publishing norms rather than any precise rule.

Still, when describing your work, you’ll want to use the right word. A novella is shorter than a novel, where the novel begins at approximately 50,000 words. A novella ought to have more than around 17,500 words: if it’s a little shorter it’s properly called a Novelette.

Novellas are usually sold at a lower price point than novels. The costs associated with their production caused many publishers refuse stories in the novella format, although they are enjoying something of a resurgence among independent authors.