I think of a novella as too long for a story and too short for a novel. In practical terms, given that full-length novels in our time can be a little over a hundred pages, I think novella territory is roughly the 50 to 90 page form. I like the long story format that some 19th century writers worked in, and think of Melville's "Bartleby" or "Benito Cerito," or Kleist's "Michael Kohlhaas," for instance, as avatars of the form. Samuel Beckett's late works - Company, Worstward Ho, and the like - are also important to me in my understanding of the form.
Bio:
Ted Pelton is the author of four books, of which two, Bartleby, the Sportscaster, and Bhang, are novellas. He has won National Endowment for the Arts and Isherwood fellowships for his fiction writing. He founded and directs Starcherone Books, a publisher of innovative fiction that celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2010. He is Professor and Chair of Humanities at Medaille College of Buffalo, NY. See more at www.tedpelton.com.
Bio:
Ted Pelton is the author of four books, of which two, Bartleby, the Sportscaster, and Bhang, are novellas. He has won National Endowment for the Arts and Isherwood fellowships for his fiction writing. He founded and directs Starcherone Books, a publisher of innovative fiction that celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2010. He is Professor and Chair of Humanities at Medaille College of Buffalo, NY. See more at www.tedpelton.com.
I am an editor for Christian.com which is a social network dedicated to the christian community. As I look through your web site I feel a collaboration is at hand. I would be inclined to acknowledge your website offering it to our users as I'm sure our Pentecostal audience would benefit from what your site has to offer. I look forward to your thoughts or questions regarding the matter.
Vicky Silvers
vicky.silvers@gmail.com
Posted by: Vickey Silvers | June 04, 2010 at 12:54 PM