How Short is a "Short" Story?

1. 0

   TransScribblerposted 11 years ago

   How short is a short story?
   
   There seems to be some confusion in these parts as to what constitutes a "short" story. Personally, I have written stories as short as fifty words. Another I recently put forward for promotion is 134 words long. But, I was told, this piece is not a short story, as it is not 800 or so words in length.
   
   What would you call a short story? 80? 800? 8 000?

   replyreport
   1. 83

      MayGposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi TransScribbler, I think those really short stories of yours are called 'Flash Fiction' these days, and and there are websites devoted to publishing only flash fiction. Perhaps you should try and publish them there?  I think you have a gift - no way I could tell a whole story in so few words.  I think in terms of publication or writing contests, as WryLilt says it depends on the editor's requirements, or the contest guidelines.  I think the minimum would usually be around 1500 words though.

      replyreport
   2. 62

      adrienne2posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @TransScribbler that is incredible telling a story in 50 words. I think a short short is right at 800 words.

      replyreport
   3. 72

      Pearldiverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have always been very wary of Short Stories that start and finish with: 'This is The End!'

      replyreport
   4. 61

      RConnolly09posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Here, check this out:
      
      http://www.duotrope.com/index.aspx
      
      This is a site for finding literary magazines which fit the piece you wish to publish. Notice the legend to the side in terms of length.
      
      Flash fiction is less than 1,000 words.
      A Short Story is between 1,000 and 7,500 words.
      A Novelette is between 7,500 and 15,000 words.
      A Novella is between 15,000 and 40,000 words.
      A Novel is over 40,000 words.
      
      This is (generally) the scale most literary magazine publishing groups will use. Hope this helps!
      
      ~

      replyreport
2. 72

   Joy56posted 11 years ago

   a short story can be any length.  The one we are being asked to submit needs to be 800 that is the requirement for her......

   replyreport
   1. 82

      camloposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, 800+ for Shazwellyn's Hub.

      replyreport
3. 90

   WryLiltposted 11 years ago

   A short story can be any length - as long as it meets the editor's requirements.
   
   If you ever want to write for publication or an upfront payment, chances are you're going to have to meet whatever standards the payer sets, or else you won't get paid.
   
   So my answer is - any length if you're writing for yourself. The length your asked if you're writing for someone else.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      TransScribblerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Having written and been published and paid, I would agree if that was what this call for links was about.
      But it is not.
      According to the person requesting our stories, it is about promoting both the writer and HP.
      This is the style of the majority of my creative writing. If it is not good enough for promoting for free as far as HP and the editor are concerned, I will take my time and writing elsewhere.
      
      If you want to judge my work for yourselves, go to my profile page and have a look at my creative fiction.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Website Examinerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Shazwellyn doesn't represent HP, as far as I am aware. That she wants to "spread the hub love" does not make this an HP program, either. She does everything on her own initiative, and will use her hard work and SEO research to give exposure to some writers. If she feels that 800+ words is what it takes to make her concept successful, the writers here on HubPages shouldn't have a problem with respecting that. This project is an opportunity for anyone who qualifies and is willing to accept the conditions. That does not imply criticism or rejection of anybody else.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            TransScribblerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Unless 95% of that person's writing is in that style and format.
            
            I did offer to provide longer, exclusive pieces for the project, but was told that it would not be fair to Hubbers and HP to use "old material". What the...?!?!?!
            
            So, my creative fiction will be coming off my Hubs this weekend and moving to a new location, although my articles will remain here at HP.
            ticketyboo! TS

            replyreport
            1. 0

               Website Examinerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               TransScribbler, I have no idea what you and Shazwellyn have been discussing in emails. No matter, she does not represent HP, so there is no point in taking your stories off HubPages because of this. I'm shaking my head vigorously, and find your decision disappointing. Please reconsider... W.E.

               replyreport
               1. 90

                  WryLiltposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Have to agree with WE.
                  
                  It's like taking your 'car for sale' advertisement off the local notice board because someone rings up to find out about the car, then after being told the model and year, say it's not what they're looking for.

                  replyreport
                  1. 0

                     shazwellynposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     NO!  Older written short stories are fine as far as Im concerned   No, Im no HP official!  This is just a wee little project to showcase good stories x

                     replyreport
   2. 0

      Website Examinerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree completely. Would like to add that in my understanding, a short story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Some degree of wholesomeness sets a short story apart from more sporadic writings.

      replyreport
4. 61

   kazemaru2posted 11 years ago

   less than 500 words however if you want to post one on hubpages 700 words is ideal.

   replyreport
5. 60

   Jaggedfrostposted 11 years ago

   long enough to get a beginning, middle and end in and tie them together so that you don't blush every time someone reads your work and asks you where the rest of it is.

   replyreport
6. 0

   ralwusposted 11 years ago

   Here are the true guidelines for y'all:
   
   Flash Fiction
   
   100 - 1,000 words
   
   Short Story
   
   1,000 - 7,500 words
   
   Novelette
   
   7,500 - 20,000 words
   
   Novella
   
   20,000 - 50,000 words
   
   Novel
   
   50,000 -110,000
   
   Epics and Sequels
   
   Over 110,000 words

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Freya Cesareposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Eh. 100 to 1000 words for flash fiction?  What 40 words story called then, Charlie?  Super flash fiction?

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Website Examinerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Spark fiction?
         
         Some of Ralwus' numbers (novelette, novella) seem pretty high compared with the definitions I have found. I am also surprised that anyone would want to limit a novel to 110,000 words.

         replyreport
7. 0

   ralwusposted 11 years ago

   http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/wordcount.html

   replyreport
8. 59

   thirdmilleniumposted 11 years ago

   They say this is the shortest story:
   
   Two men were traveling by train. One asked the other "DO you believe in ghosts?"
   The other said "Yes" and disappeared

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Freya Cesareposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      

      replyreport
9. 69

   b. Malinposted 11 years ago

   As LONG as it take to write it!

   replyreport
   1. 0

      AMBASSADOR BUTLERposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree.

      replyreport
10. 60

    kookoo88posted 11 years ago

    The nebula awards don't define flash fiction.  They also don't really accept ebooks or online works, but it fits with what ralwus and RConnolly09 said.
    
    http://www.nebulaawards.com/index.php/about/faqs
    
    "What’s the definition of a “novella,” “novelette,” etc.?
    For the purposes of the Nebula Awards:
    
    * Short Story: less than 7,500 words;
    * Novelette: at least 7,500 words but less than 17,500 words;
    * Novella: at least 17,500 words but less than 40,000 words
    * Novel: 40,000 words or more.
    * At the author’s request, a novella-length work published individually, rather than as a part of a collection, anthology, or other collective work, shall appear in the novel category."

    replyreport