TL;DR A novella runs 17,500–40,000 words and focuses on a single conflict, one point of view, and tight pacing. A novel runs 40,000–100,000+ words and can support multiple subplots, a larger cast, and more complex character arcs. The right format depends on your story's scope, not your preference. Choose the one that fits what you're actually trying to say.
It’s time to get back to the keyboard, but the question arises: what is the difference between a novel vs. novella? Which one should you write?
In the coming days, you will devote hours to this project. Deciding what form your story should take is one of the first steps in your writing process.
Should you share your story over the traditional length of a novel? Does it fit better into the novella form? What would your readers most gravitate to between a novel vs. novella?
Most writers asking "novel vs. novella" already have a story. What they don't have is clarity on which format will do it justice. And choosing wrong is how good ideas become bloated messes or frustratingly thin reads.
This guide breaks down the real differences: exact word counts, structural conventions, famous examples of each, and a clear decision framework so you can commit to the right format before you write a single chapter.
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What Is a Novel vs. a Novella? (Quick Definitions)
A novel is a work of prose fiction over 40,000 words. A novella is a work of prose fiction between 17,500 and 40,000 words.
These aren't arbitrary numbers. They reflect how much story each format can carry and what structural promises each one makes to a reader.
Here's a quick reference table:
| Format | Word Count Range | Typical Page Count |
|---|---|---|
| Flash fiction | Under 1,000 words | 1–4 pages |
| Short story | 1,000–7,500 words | 4–30 pages |
| Novelette | 7,500–17,500 words | 30–70 pages |
| Novella | 17,500–40,000 words | 60–150 pages |
| Novel | 40,000–100,000+ words | 150–400+ pages |
Note: The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) sets the novella range at 17,500–40,000 words, which is widely used as the industry standard for award eligibility and publisher submissions.
The 5 Main Differences Between a Novel vs. Novella
When deciding whether to write a novel vs. novella here are the five top things to consider:
1. The Length of the Story
Novels have a higher word count than novellas, and thus, often contain a less straightforward plot.
Novellas are usually 17,500 to 40,000 words while a novel can easily exceed 100,000 words. Choosing the length of your work is the most important factor when deciding whether to write a novel vs. novella. But there are two thought processes that can help you decide.
2. The Complexity of the Story
Imagine The Count of Monte Cristo as a novella. The plot Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet came up with is quite complex. It simply would not work. But now consider J.R.R. Tolkien’s short story, “Leaf By Niggle.”
Tolkien is a master at complex plots, but this short story belongs at the word count he published it at. When deciding whether to write a novel vs. novella, considering the complexity of your story is a large contributing factor in your ultimate decision.
3. Who the Target Readers Are
Second, define your target audience early on so you can understand how much mental power they can commit to your story. If you write to middle-grade readers, you may want to confine your characters to the word count of a novella.
However, if you are writing a historical fiction for adults on the intricacies of the evacuation of Dunkirk, trying to fit the necessary details into a novella will likely frustrate more mature readers. When questioning whether to write a novella vs. novel, consider your readership.
4. The Pacing
Novellas are faster-paced, often focusing on a single event or pivotal moment that doesn't require the buildup of a full-length story. Novels have the luxury of time, allowing them to unfold more slowly, building tension and complexity over hundreds of pages.
5. Character Development
Character development in novellas is focused solely on the protagonist, since there isn't enough space to delve into secondary characters. Novels can afford to give supporting characters full arcs of their own
Different Conventions in a Novel vs. Novella
Now that you have determined the complexity of your story and who your readers are, it’s time to discuss a few of the conventions commonly associated with a novel vs. novella. What makes each one different?
Key Features of Novels
Writers are often encouraged to begin their novel as close to the inciting incident as possible. It’s important for readers to feel invested in the character, and therefore the action, immediately. Avoiding novel writing mistakes is essential for creating a captivating experience and increasing your chances to successfully sell your novel.
Novels, including romance novels, can use a singular point of view, or a plethora. While writers should avoid jumping from one point of view to another mid-scene, consider novels that use two or more viewpoints to tell the story: Allegiant, The Guest List, and The Sun Is Also A Star, to name a few.
Along with multiple POV (point of view) characters, novels often use multiple subplots that keep the reader turning pages, starting new chapters, and wondering what will happen next.
Key Features of Novellas
Novellas should also begin as close to the action as possible. However, novellas have much less space to introduce the inciting incident, events leading up to it, or even wrap up the story. The idea that every paragraph, sentence, and phrase matters is essential to novellas.
Due to their concise story arc, novellas often include only one POV character. Additionally, while they can include a subplot, novellas often follow one key idea from start to finish.
Famous Examples of Novellas vs. Novels
Some of the most celebrated works in literary history are novellas. Which is proof that shorter doesn't mean lesser.
Iconic Novellas (17,500–40,000 words)
Several novellas have been recognized as among the best examples of the literary form including Animal Farm, Of Mice and Men, The Metamorphosis, Heart of Darkness, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Henry James called the novella "the beautiful and blessed nouvelle." Joyce Carol Oates called it "the most difficult of all the literary prose forms." That difficulty is the point: every word has to earn its place.
Landmark Novels (40,000–100,000+ words)
Works like The Count of Monte Cristo, War and Peace, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and Gone with the Wind require novel-length treatment. The complexity of their world-building, the size of their casts, and the sprawl of their subplots simply cannot compress.
The difference isn't quality, it's scope.
How To Make The Choice Between a Novella vs. Novel
With these features in mind, it’s time to discuss the three crucial factors to consider when determining whether to write a novella vs. novel.
How Well Do You Understand Writing?
If you are a newer writer, you may want to self-impose a lower word count. This allows you to:
- Zero in on creating one standout plot
- Focus on your protagonist instead of adding in multiple orbital characters
- Lessen the overwhelming feeling of staring down 70,000 words or more
When I started writing I wrote short stories. I had an idea, I had a setting, and I wrote about it until I wrapped up my plot. Later, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could come up with a plot that took a full-length novel to wrap up.
Learning how to write a novella is typically less daunting than learning how to write a novel, but it depends on your skill and how detailed your book idea is.
Whether your ultimate goal is to write a novel or novella, starting small helps the learning process and can push you forward in a slow, but steady, way.
Related: Short Story Contests: Why They Matter And 4 Tips To Enter
What Length Best Supports Your Plot?
Once you have a grasp of how to write, it’s time to consider the word count that will best reflect your idea. If you write hard science fiction and need to establish an entire world, your premise may need the length of a novel.
However, if you use a setting your readers are familiar with and don’t need to establish any uncommon world-building, rules, or other crucial details, a novella may work best.
Additionally, consider the depth of your plot, aside from your setting. Imagine Frodo reaching Mordor in 10,000 words. On the other hand, imagine The Tale of Peter Rabbit lasting for 90,000 words. You get the point!
When Will Your Characters Complete Their Arc?
The depth and growth of your characters will majorly impact how long a story you write. If you choose to focus on one particular character quality, you may be able to fit your character arc into a novella.
But what if your protagonist lives in a fantastical world as an outsider and must overcome the demons of their past, accept their identity, and become king of the world? This character arc will likely take thousands of words to do it justice.
Here's the decision framework to apply before you write:
Ask These 4 Questions
1. How complex is your plot? One central conflict with a clear cause and effect = novella. Multiple converging storylines, power structures, or time periods = novel.
2. How many characters drive the story? One protagonist with minimal supporting cast = novella. An ensemble with independent motivations = novel.
3. How much world-building is required? Familiar setting readers don't need to be taught = novella. A built world with its own rules, history, or geography = novel.
4. Who is your target reader and how much time will they commit? A novella is ideal for readers who want a complete story in a short amount of time, something that can be finished in one or two sittings. A novel is a bigger time commitment, taking anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on length and reading speed.
Middle-grade readers, genre readers looking for a fast emotional hit, and readers between longer books often gravitate toward novellas. Literary fiction readers and fans of immersive world-building gravitate toward novels.
Structural Conventions: What Changes Based on Format
Both formats start as close to the action as possible, but the novella has far less room to develop before the story must resolve.
Novel Conventions
- Open as close to the inciting incident as possible
- Use multiple POV characters when the story demands it
- Develop subplots that deepen the central conflict
- Allow rising and falling action throughout - the pacing breathes
Novella Conventions
- Open even closer to the action. There's no runway
- Stick to one POV, sometimes two
- One central conflict from start to finish
- Limit the number of "tracks" the story runs at once - fewer subplots, less world-building for its own sake
- Every paragraph, sentence, and image must pull weight
A novella makes a specific promise to the reader: "Here's one problem. Here's the emotional cost. Here's the payoff." A novel says: "We're going to live in this world longer, and you'll get more than one kind of change."
When you match the format to the story you actually have, writing becomes dramatically easier, and so does revising, pitching, and publishing.
Common Mistake: Choosing Format Based on Preference, Not Story
Most writers default to "novel" because it sounds more serious, or "novella" because they're intimidated by word count. Both are wrong approaches.
The format should be determined by what your story requires, not what you're comfortable with.
Signs you're forcing a novella into novel length:
- Subplots that don't connect to the central conflict
- Secondary characters with no narrative function
- Chapters that could disappear without readers noticing
Signs you're cramming a novel into novella length:
- Character arcs that feel unearned or rushed
- World-building that confuses rather than immerses
- An ending that resolves too quickly to land emotionally
Quick Reference: Novel vs. Novella at a Glance
| Feature | Novella | Novel |
|---|---|---|
| Word count | 17,500–40,000 | 40,000–100,000+ |
| POV | 1–2 | 1 or many |
| Subplots | Minimal or none | Multiple |
| Pacing | Fast, sustained | Variable - rises and falls |
| Character arcs | Protagonist-focused | Protagonist + supporting cast |
| Reading time | 1–2 sittings | Days to weeks |
| Best for | Single-conflict stories | Complex, multi-thread narratives |
Examples of Choosing a Novel vs. Novella + Your Next Step
For a straightforward example, consider the following young adult fiction scenarios:
Plot A, YA fiction: A freshman struggles to decide whether to skip school to spend the day fishing - or sit through another day of classes.
Plot B, YA fiction: A freshman must overcome social anxiety leading up to attending his first day of high school in a new state.
Plot A, with some additional character building, could satisfactorily fill a novella. By the last page, readers discover the protagonist’s priorities and close the book.
Plot B, on the other hand, could take place over months. Imagine the summer leading up to the first day of fall classes, the anxiety every time he rides past the school, and the struggle to make any friends that summer.
Many people struggle with social anxiety, and sharing a protagonist’s struggle and success would likely need thousands of words to do it justice. The desire to fish, though valid, likely can't carry a full-length novel.
With these ideas in mind, I leave you to your big decision: Should you write a novel or novella? Take your time to consider your plot and protagonist and then get to writing! The good news is, you can always edit in more words to your novella or cut words from your novel.
If you're ready to take that next step from blank page to published book, the team at selfpublishing.com has helped over 7,000 authors get there. Book a free strategy call and find out exactly where to start.
Frequently Asked Questions: Novel vs. Novella
Is a 50,000-word book a novel or a novella? At 50,000 words, it sits in novel territory by most industry standards. The SFWA places the novella ceiling at 40,000 words, and most publishers treat 50,000+ as a novel, though some literary presses set their minimum at 45,000–50,000.
Can a novella be published traditionally? Yes, but it's harder to sell standalone novellas to traditional publishers. They're more commonly published in collections, as part of a series, or digitally. Self-publishing is often the most practical path for standalone novellas.
What's the difference between a novella and a novelette? A novelette falls between 7,500 and 19,000 words. A novella is longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel - typically 17,500–40,000 words. Both tend to focus on single points of view, a single central conflict, and fast pacing.
Should a first-time author write a novel or novella? Start with a novella or a tight short novel (50,000–60,000 words). The discipline of finishing a contained story is more valuable than attempting 100,000 words before you've mastered story structure. Build the skill, then scale.
Are novellas popular with readers? Yes, and increasingly so. With the rise of ebooks and serial fiction platforms, novellas fit how modern readers consume content. With the rise in ereaders, the time of the novella is upon us, since reading a novella is a more rewarding experience than longer books for many readers.
