posted
How long or short is typical for a short story? I have an idea for one, but just want an idea of what to shoot for so I can flesh out the story-line a bit more.
Posts: 46 | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Without looking up one of the charts that can be found around the web, I'll say this:
Up to 1000 words - Flash Fiction 1000-5000 words - Definitely a short story and will fit in almost any short story market. But technically, 1000-7500 words is considered a short story. At 8000+ words you're in novelette territory
posted
For the Hugo and Nebula Awards, the following word counts apply: Short Story: up to 7499 words Novelette: 7500 to 17,499 words Novella: 17,500 to 39,999 Novel: 40,000 to infinity and beyond
Posts: 1517 | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Depends on your market, which means you should know your intended markets' submission guidelines.
But I'll agree with Genevieve--5000 words is imminently more sale-able than 7500 or 10,000, simply because the number of markets that will accept your story decreases exponentially as your word count rises.
posted
There should be as many words in your story as there need to be to tell the story you want to tell.
Posts: 1469 | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Tchern is absolutely right. That said: I once wrote a 25K-word story that alpha readers helped me cut to 2.5K. That, as it turns out, was too short as told: I need either to rewrite or add to it. But my point here is that, when I wrote the 25K, I thought every single word was necessary. Turns out they weren't.
I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to write a story within a certain word count. I think every story can be told many ways, some longer, some shorter, each with its own unique power and grace.
posted
Thanks for your insight. I just wanted an idea so I could pace myself when writing. Seems like you all know your stuff.
Posts: 46 | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
A friend of mine told me, 'When you write a story, start at the beginning and when you get to the end - stop.' I've always found that to be helpful.
Posts: 195 | Registered: Jan 2011
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