What is a novella?
Key takeaway: A novella sits between a short story and a novel, and it focuses on one main plot.
A novella is a work of fiction longer than a short story and shorter than a novel. Many awards and publishers place it between 17,500 and 40,000 words. A novella usually follows one main plot, a small cast and a single central conflict, without many subplots.
The word comes from Italian and means "new" or "little new thing." Today it names a length and a style. Merriam-Webster lists the dictionary meaning.
A novella has room to build a character. It does not have room for a large cast or many side plots. As a result, the story feels focused. The reader moves from start to end without long detours.
Classic works often called novellas include:
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Exact lengths vary by edition and by who counts them. Libraries and critics also disagree on a few titles. Treat these as commonly cited examples, not strict proof.
Modern novellas appear in every genre. Romance, thriller, fantasy and science fiction all use the form. Some authors publish a novella as a prequel to a series. Others use it as a low-cost first book for new readers.
Novella word count: the ranges
Key takeaway: There is no single legal definition, but award rules give a clear working range.
No law sets a novella word count. Different groups use different limits. A publisher may call a 45,000-word book a novella. An award may call the same book a novel.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) publishes category rules for the Nebula Awards. Those rules give a handy scale.
| Category | Word count | Page feel |
|---|---|---|
| Short story | Under 7,500 | A single sitting |
| Novelette | 7,500 to 17,499 | An evening's read |
| Novella | 17,500 to 39,999 | A day or two |
| Novel | 40,000 and above | Several days |
Use this table as a planning guide. If your book lands at 38,000 words, you are safely in novella range. If it lands at 41,000, you are just over the line.
Some writers use a looser range, such as 20,000 to 50,000 words. Retailers rarely enforce a label. A reader sees the page count, not the category name.
That said, labels still matter for contests. If you plan to enter an award, read its own rules first. Each award sets its own limits. A novella for one contest may be a novel for another.
Genre also matters. Romance and category fiction often run short. Epic fantasy runs long. If you want to compare your length with a typical book in your genre, check the length guide.
Novella vs novel
Key takeaway: A novel has room for many threads. A novella follows one thread from start to end.
The novella vs novel question comes down to scope. Length is the result, not the cause.
A novel often has several plot lines, a wider cast and a longer span of time. Subplots deepen the main story. A novella usually has one main plot, a small cast and a short span of time.
Here are the main differences:
- Plot. A novel can hold a main plot plus subplots. A novella holds one clear plot.
- Cast. A novel can support many named characters. A novella uses a handful.
- Pace. A novel can slow down for a scene. A novella keeps moving.
- Setting. A novella often stays in one place or one season.
None of these rules is absolute. A tight novel can read like a novella. A loose novella can feel like a short novel. Still, the one-plot rule is a useful test.
If you plan your book on paper first, an outline shows how many plot lines you have. One line points to a novella. Three or four lines point to a novel.
Novella vs short story
Key takeaway: A short story shows one moment. A novella shows a journey with several linked moments.
A short story often covers one event, one change and one main character. It can be read in a single sitting. A novella has more space. It can show a full arc with a beginning, a middle and an end.
Compare the two:
- Length. A short story is under 7,500 words in the Nebula scale. A novella is 17,500 or more.
- Structure. A short story may have one scene or a few. A novella has many scenes grouped into parts or chapters.
- Character. A short story shows one turning point. A novella can show real change over time.
Between the two sits the novelette, at 7,500 to 17,499 words. The term is less common outside award rules.
If you are still learning the shorter form, the short story guide is a good start.
What novella length means for print
Key takeaway: A short book has fewer pages, a thinner spine and a lower printing cost.
Most articles skip this part. If you plan to self-publish, length changes your cover math and your price. Here is a worked example for a 30,000-word novella.
Step one: manuscript pages. At 250 words per double-spaced page, 30,000 ÷ 250 = 120 pages. The 250 figure is a rule of thumb, not a standard.
Step two: printed pages. A printed page holds more words than a double-spaced page. Say it holds 300 words. Then 30,000 ÷ 300 = 100 pages. Your real count depends on font, trim size and spacing.
Step three: spine width. KDP lists 0.002252 inches per page for white paper. So 100 × 0.002252 = 0.2252 inches. That is a thin spine. KDP's own cover tool needs a minimum page count before it allows spine text.
Step four: printing cost. KDP's black-ink cost on Amazon.com is $1.00 plus $0.012 per page for regular trim sizes. For 100 pages: 100 × 0.012 = $1.20. Add the $1.00 fixed part, and the cost is $2.20.
Step five: royalty. Say you price the book at $8.99 with a 60 percent royalty. 8.99 × 0.60 = $5.394. Subtract the $2.20 printing cost. The result is $3.194, or about $3.19 per copy.
These numbers are for planning only. The KDP screen shows the final amount.
A short book also needs the right trim size. A small trim size such as 5 x 8 inches suits a thin novella. The trim size guide explains the choice.
How to write a novella
Key takeaway: Plan one plot, one central conflict and a small cast before you draft.
You can write a novella in the same way you write a novel, but on a smaller scale. Here are the main steps.
- Choose one central conflict.
- List three to five main characters.
- Outline five to ten scenes per part.
- Set a target of 25,000 to 35,000 words.
- Draft without editing.
- Cut any scene that does not serve the one plot.
- Revise in two passes.
Notice step six. The edit often matters most. A novella has no room for filler. Every scene must push the main plot forward.
The same habits apply as in a longer book. A daily word goal keeps you moving. At 500 words a day, a 30,000-word draft takes 30,000 ÷ 500 = 60 writing days. That is about two months.
If you have not written a long work before, try the novel guide. Its slow, steady method also fits the novella.
People Also Ask
How many pages is a novella?
A novella of 17,500 to 39,999 words runs about 70 to 160 double-spaced pages at 250 words per page. A printed book may show fewer pages, near 60 to 135, depending on font and trim size. The exact count depends on your layout.
Is a novella a book?
Yes. A novella is a full book, only shorter than a novel. Many are sold as paperbacks, ebooks and audiobooks. Some are bundled into a collection with other works. Readers buy them like any other book, and they often cost less than a novel.
Can I self-publish a novella?
Yes. KDP and other platforms accept short books. Check the minimum page count and the cover rules before you upload. A short book costs less to print, but your royalty depends on list price and page count. Plan the numbers first.
Common mistakes
- Padding the story to reach a novel length.
- Adding subplots that the short length cannot support.
- Writing a cast so large that no one gets depth.
- Ignoring page count when you price the paperback.
- Treating the word count as a strict law instead of a guide.
Your next step: size your novella for print
Pick your target word count. Then run the page math from the print section. Estimate printed pages, spine width and printing cost. This tells you whether your price will pay you.
Then test the numbers on a calculator. The KDP Cover and Spine Width Calculator checks your spine width from page count and paper type.
