What sells best? Shorts/Novellas/Anthologies/Novels?

[Juliette Dupree]

I'm wondering, for those who are published or have inside info, what length book sells the best? And does it vary from e-pub to e-pub?

I heard an EC person say that novellas seem to sell very well. I'm also wondering, what pays the best? Based on what EC charges for quickies vs. novellas vs. novels, it seems like quickies would pay the best, on a word-count basis. But if quickies don't sell that well, and the longer books do, then I guess the longer books would pay better in the long run.

Any thoughts?

I know everyone says "write what you like". But if I don't have a preference for a particular length of book, then I'd rather write what pays. :tongue

[nkkingston]

As a reader, I tend to prefer novellas. I don't have an ereader, so I'm reading either on my netbook or my phone, which becomes a bit of a chore with a novel. My debut novella came out yesterday, so I'm kinda hoping most other readers are like me!

[Juliette Dupree]

Congratulations!

I just got my nook, and I'm loving it. I've always liked longer books (assuming the story is good), but I might be leaning towards the shorter books now. Seems like with erotica, I really need a good, complex story to keep me interested for a full novel.

[defyalllogic]

good question.

i don't know the answer but i think when it comes to erotica, I'd prefer short stories. I agree that if it's a long thing it would need a complex story which I would have had to have recommended to me or read reviews of before i invested time in it. (Anita Blake novels)

It's just different to me than trying a SciFi novel.

(BTW: what EC?)

[Boston Steve]

Ellora's Cave