Short Stories and Novels

Bookewyrme · Dec 16, 2009

Alright, this is probably a bit of a noob question, but is it necessary/desirable to publish short stories before trying to publish a novel? Will short stories give you a leg up in the novel biz, or is it perfectly normal for novelists to never write a short story in their whole career?

I'm not opposed to writing short stories, but I just write them for me, and I don't have any particular desire to publish them, but I if I must, I will.

The reason I ask is, everyone around here, and many of my favorite authors, seem to have started out pubing short stories, and moved into novels afterwards. Or am I just mis-interpreting?

AryaT92 · Dec 16, 2009

It could be a leg up to have other published works but it certainly isn't necessary..

I didn't publish any short stories before writing my first and even though I am not published yet it got the attention of a fancy agent. A leg up is very useful in this business it seems so if you have short stories that you wouldn't mind publishing, why not?

scarletpeaches · Dec 16, 2009

I hope not, because I've never written a short story in my life and never intend to.

AryaT92 · Dec 16, 2009

What is considered a short story anyways? What's the average word count on those?

cwfgal · Dec 16, 2009

I think any legitimate publishing credit helps, though the ability to write one form doesn't necessarily equate to the ability to write another. In the end, the work must stand on its own. I spent years writing short stories and trying to get them published without success. The second novel I ever wrote got me an agent and was subsequently published. The only writing credit I had prior to that (not even sure it really qualified as a credit) was an article in an industry (medical) magazine for which I was paid in copies of the magazine.

There's nothing wrong with shopping your short stories around but getting published in that format is not a prerequisite to getting a novel published.

Beth

lucidzfl · Dec 16, 2009

I have a bunch of short stories I could revisit and potentially submit for publication...

Does anyone even publish short stories any more? I'm certainly not going to write any new stories though to try and get my novels published. I'm just going to work on my novels.

ChaosTitan · Dec 16, 2009

Short stories and novels are such different animals that one isn't necessarily good practice for the other. I know some novelists who've never written a short. Then there are folks like Stephen King who excel in both forms.

Yes, there are still plenty of markets for short stories, but the good pro credits are becoming harder to break into. Obviously, the credits don't hurt, if you can get them.

Unless your heart is in shorts, don't spend the time trying to write, polish and publish them. If you want to write novels, write novels.

Jess Haines · Dec 16, 2009

No credits are necessary to get a book deal -- just a good query letter and story to back it up.

TONS of places are still (paying!) for short stories. Check out www.duotrope.com for a pretty decent list of who is currently open for submissions. You can also look here on AW in the Paying/Nonpaying Markets sections.

Bookewyrme · Dec 16, 2009

Ah. Yea, I don't really want to publish short stories. Like I said, I write them for my own amusement, and for practice, but I have no particular desire to publish said stories. I feel like it would be too much work, for too little satisfaction, to make them publishable (unless I'm a waaaaay better first draft writer than I think

).

So...if, for some unknown reason I fail utterly at getting a novel published, would it be advisable to sort of....go back and start smaller with a short story or something? Or would that be a waste of time?

This is totally hypotheticals here, I'm just sorta trying to get a feel for the relationship of Shorts and Novels. ^_^

Kalyke · Dec 16, 2009

I think your answer really depends on what you want to get out of it. I write short stories only to get a feel for the novel I am contemplating writing. This is at a very early stage. I write a few short stories, I guess you might say, to fal lin love with the idea of the novel. They are a kind of forplay before I get down to the real deal. Some have turned out pretty well, but I would balk at publishing them because they are associated with a novel coming out. This would be like Stephan King writing a short stories of Cujo as a puppy. I use short stories as a kind of Pre-vis for my novels. I have a set of novellas I could see being published if I ever get famous-- but novellas are often big enough to think about turning into longer novels, while short stories usually don't offer a sustainable Idea.

kaitie · Dec 16, 2009

I'm another person who doesn't write short stories and has no intention of it. I just don't think well in the super short format. When I think of characters and story, etc., it just always ends up coming out novel length.

Publishing credits are helpful, but not necessary from everything I've heard. And obviously if you've never had a novel published, shorter fiction is the closest thing to it. All it does is prove that you can write well enough that other people have paid for it. From what I've heard about query letters, though, it's probably relatively easy to determine whether or not a person has basic grammar skills from that alone.

C.M. Daniels · Dec 17, 2009

When I first started researching getting published, I kept reading that getting short stories under your belt was the way to open doors to novels. So I taught myself to write shorts, which was a long and difficult process. It wasn't until years later that I realized shorts weren't a requirement at all.

Short stories and novels are two completely separate kettles of fish. I've found that by forcing myself to learn how to craft short stories my novels have greatly improved. Short stories have grown on me and I do enjoy writing and publishing them, they're just not right for everyone.

If short stories aren't your thing, don't worry about it.

Maxinquaye · Dec 17, 2009

I'm really bad a short stories so I really hope it's not a requirement.

James D. Macdonald · Dec 17, 2009

...is it necessary/desirable to publish short stories before trying to publish a novel?

No.

Phaeal · Dec 17, 2009

Well, the days when you were able to earn a living writing shorts are long gone. Getting into the few high-paying mags is hardly easier than publishing a novel. As I recall, even Stephen King, post noveling success, had trouble breaking into Playboy. However, if you have some polished short stories, why not put them out there?

I'm a native speaker of novel who taught herself to write shorts, and I'm glad I did. I've gotten a few credits and discovered an intriguing new form. It really was like learning a second language -- I've gotten to the point where I can dream in short story.

And I used to think I could never come up with "short" ideas. But the more shorts I write, the more short bunnies come into the hutch. The mind thinking in the new mode again, I guess.

Anyhow, I find shorts personally enriching, so I'll keep writing them. They also give me more publication opportunities. And I like doing a short or two between novels, to clear my palate.

They're not necessary, but as Lear cried, "Oh reckon not the need!" If you like them, write them. If you want to try a new form, try them. You might surprise yourself, as I did.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 17, 2009

I write both, but one doesn't help me with the other, except that its writing and writing either helps hone my craft.

Jamesaritchie · Dec 17, 2009

Good short story credits can be very helpful, mostly in showing an agent or editor that you can write well enough to be paid for it, and also in the hopes that fans of your short stories will jump with you to novels. Good short story credits also get you past first readers, and land you on a bigger desk.

But such sales certainly aren't necessary, and it's a good thing they aren't. The reason good short story credits are valuable is because they're so hard to get. Shorter does not mean easier, and if anything, it's much tougher to sell a short story than a novel because there are fewer markets, and the competition is far higher for the slots that do exist.

CaroGirl · Dec 17, 2009

Jamesaritchie said:
Good short story credits can be very helpful, mostly in showing an agent or editor that you can write well enough to be paid for it, and also in the hopes that fans of your short stories will jump with you to novels. Good short story credits also get you past first readers, and land you on a bigger desk.

But such sales certainly aren't necessary, and it's a good thing they aren't. The reason good short story credits are valuable is because they're so hard to get. Shorter does not mean easier, and if anything, it's much tougher to sell a short story than a novel because there are fewer markets, and the competition is far higher for the slots that do exist.

I agree with this; it's my experience also.

Casey Lee · Dec 17, 2009

As a newbie I started with short stories which are incredibly hard to write and even more difficult to get published. I found the novel much easier but still rework a short story or two when the new novel gets bogged down. Its all writing init?

Life is short - drink the good wine first

Charlie Horse · Dec 17, 2009

Short stories are like songs, while novels are like symphonies. They require different mindsets. Like some authors several great composers never wrote songs, but many of them did. In turn, not many songwriters are able to write symphonies. Not saying that being able to do one or the other successfully makes one discipline better than another, just saying...

Libbie · Dec 17, 2009

It's certainly not required to publish short stories before novels. Many novelists never write short stories.

However, if you like the short form and are inclined to write a few, there are some solid reasons to get them published if you want to have a career as a novelist.

First, good publication credits never hurt. If you go into the process of selling your first novel with proof already in hand that other editors have been willing to pay money for your fiction, then you've got a leg up over a lot of the competition.

Second, there is a lot of crossover between the crowd that reads short stories and the crowd that buys novels. A vanguard of short stories before your debut novel comes out can create a small but very enthusiastic base of fans well in advance of your novel career. They will help spread the word that one of their favorite writers is about to launch a brilliant career as a novelist. I'm one of these fans, for several sci-fi writers. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about!

So no, it's not necessary, but if you do it right, it can really help get the ball rolling.

Libbie · Dec 17, 2009

lucidzfl said:
Does anyone even publish short stories any more?

duotrope.com

Phaeal · Dec 17, 2009

It's also my impression that for writers of literary fic, short stories can be an important leg up on a novel. Necessary, no. But helpful.

Claudia Gray · Dec 17, 2009

If you enjoy writing short stories, and would like to get them published, go for it: a legitimate publishing credit can help somewhat.

If you would just be trying for short-story publication in order to boost your chances of being a novelist, then don't bother. Those kind of credits aren't necessary, and if you don't have a genuine interest in/passion for publishing your short stories, then the time spent on them would be better spent on your novels.

lucidzfl · Dec 17, 2009

ClaudiaGray said:
If you enjoy writing short stories, and would like to get them published, go for it: a legitimate publishing credit can help somewhat.

If you would just be trying for short-story publication in order to boost your chances of being a novelist, then don't bother. Those kind of credits aren't necessary, and if you don't have a genuine interest in/passion for publishing your short stories, then the time spent on them would be better spent on your novels.

With so many short stories, I've thought about polishing some to publishability. It might be something fun to work on while thinking about my next novel. ( I have ideas, but I need a rest after this one )

Plus I'd have less attachment to the short story so I wouldn't sit around all nervous like as if I were submitting a novel.

Short Stories and Novels

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