Short story vs. Novel

Hm. Guess I'm the odd-one out.

I prefer to read novels. I like to immerse myself in story and hang around in it a while. This may be one of the reasons I rarely read magazines, unless they are news mags.

I try to write novels.

However, I did challenge myself last year to write a short(er) story (15k, which seems to be too short to call a novella and too long to call a short story) in order to focus on storytelling structure and craft (specifically, getting across a lot of info in a short space). It was a lot of fun, I learned a ton and I've received great feedback (it's currently in 'second editorial' review, so it passed the first gatekeepers, anyway....)

FWIW

I hate short stories. Just when you start to like the protag, get immersed in the story and want to soend a couple more days with the characters, that's already it. Haven't read one since I left high school! And wouldn't, couldn't write one either.

It depends on the story.

A novel should be written and read as a novel, but a short should be written and read as a short. If either is presented the wrong way, the reader will know.