I like the novella form. I like it's length. I like reading them. Why are so few people interested in publishing them? Any novella writers out there? What is it like for you publishing or trying to publish your novella?
Do you know any nonfiction [30-50k length] publishers?
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I have to agree, novella is fiction.
Non-fiction can be any length but the subject and format is key, not the length.
Non-fiction can be any length but the subject and format is key, not the length.
Ok, I'm glad I learned novella is the wrong term, thanks! My book is a nonfiction memoir and it is the length of a novella. The themes are art and psychotherapy, both of which I do. I have been assuming my length, 33000 words, is a limitation.
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Eh, it's not a limitation.
Non-fiction even brings pamplets into account in some cases, so you're fine.
Might even be an asset. Less of an investment for the publisher when it comes to print costs, unless you go with a POD publisher.
Non-fiction even brings pamplets into account in some cases, so you're fine.
Might even be an asset. Less of an investment for the publisher when it comes to print costs, unless you go with a POD publisher.
Thanks, IDGS. I was feeling a bit stupid about my novella comment. What I really meant is that I like the shorter form. At least now. Around 100 pages felt right to me to say what I wanted to say. And I didn't want to add 'fluff'
Since I started this post, I found a few articles on "novella length nonfiction." Check this out:http://brevity.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/in-search-of-a-name-the-splor/
and http://www.wordslingingwoman.com/Redfire/SentimentalAttachments_BookReview_WEBB.pdf
It also seems like the "kindle singles" may be a new venue for this form.
and http://www.wordslingingwoman.com/Redfire/SentimentalAttachments_BookReview_WEBB.pdf
It also seems like the "kindle singles" may be a new venue for this form.
My memoir is about 55,000 words and I was told over and over that it was too short. The thing to remember is that a reader doesn't want to pick up a very, very, thin book and pay as much for it as the one next to it that is double the size. Likewise, a very short book puts it in a difficult position to price. The range you gave is a huge difference. I'd say 30,000 words is too short. But 50,000 for nonfiction is a possibility. Generally, in nonfiction, once the story is told, it's told. I know that is the opposite of the first few sentences here, but just offering up what I've learned.
And yes, I did get a publisher for my book. It comes out in November. So, it is possible...maybe not 30k possible, more like 50k possible. For what it's worth. ~Karen
And yes, I did get a publisher for my book. It comes out in November. So, it is possible...maybe not 30k possible, more like 50k possible. For what it's worth. ~Karen
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Not if you are paid by the word or the column inch. There are many ways to add word count to a nonfiction story without adding fluff or padding.
Focus
Thank you Lavinia, and congrat on your book! Thanks also, Focus. Unless more venues for novella length nonfiction come on the scene, I may have an unpublishable book. I feel very good about it's current state, but it is 33,000. It may be illustrated, though, and I imagine that will help considerably.
Depends on whether you're doing b/w or color, because color will add to the cost
. Maybe if you gave us an idea what's in your book we might have suggestions on parts you could add. Sometimes having an outside person who knows nothing about our stories helps give a fresh perspective to a memoir. I'm amazed at some scenes when I thought I was being clear, people who beta-ed for me and knew me thought I was being clear and stranger-betas hadn't a clue. I have a much better manuscript because of them.
Hi Amy, my book is a hybrid of memoir and art. I know I could add sections in different ways but I'm not sure I want to at this point because I feel I have said what I want to say. I am interested in small independent publishers or university presses. I have had several readers and editors work on the book so I think it is finished now. I am wondering if anyone has worked with publishers who look at novella length works.