I know some folks who work in this space, writing and publishing books under 60,000 words. They're fond of it, because they feel it is a streamlined experience for both the reader and the writer, akin to a Netflix style TV season of eight episodes.

I personally am not a fan. As a consumer, I don't care for being charged an exorbitant price for what amounts to half a novel, and I don't feel I'm getting enough from the investment of my time. I feel like I'm just getting into the story and then its over. I get that it's in part a market decision, because there are a lot of people with limited attention spans who can't get into a longer novel, so there is an audience for it, but it's not for me.

As a writer, I came up under the 90,000 word rule for novels. At 60,000 words (or less) it's a novella, an extended short story. I don't have a problem with that. Lots of old pulps and stories from the '60s were shorter, blunter, and amazing for it. They were also cheap as hell; no one was charging me 20 bucks for two hours worth of reading.

Part of the longer format is giving people their money's worth, but also taking some time to live in the world and explore. In keeping with the TV seasons analogy, it's having a chance to have an offbeat episode and learn something new about the characters.

the reason they are so short is the advent of ebooks is also that of novellas. you may have noticed there have recently been many amazing books in the novella format, especially published by Tor. Before novellas were a problem because making them costs as much as any book and therefore they cost as much as any books to buy, as you will know if you bought the physical copy. Now though ebooks are common and this finally allows writers to write novellas. Tor also has very pretty covers and hardbacks that don't immediately run out, which really works for me as I tend to read the ebook first and only if I love it passionately to buy the physical copy. I love the monk and robot series and all her books :)

I think the biggest complaint people have about novellas is that they are typically the same price as a full length novel despite being half the length. Personally, I check most novellas out from the library unless I find several of the books as a collection for a reasonable price.

Still, I definitely prefer longer novels, but I have recently started reading novellas as well. Particularly from authors I haven’t read before. It’s a good way for me to get an idea of the quality and style of writing without investing in a full length novel.

I love these books but think they would falter as a long-form novel, due to their pacing and lack of conventional plot structure

Books - and publishing - have always gone through phases of more common/popular lengths. It used to be that 200 pages or so wasn't unusual. It's thanks to certain very popular authors that more and more books became VERY long. One very clear illustration of this trend is in children's novels. If you take a look at the length of the fourth Harry Potter book, and the average length of children's novels that came out shortly after it vs. the average length that came out before, there's a HUGE increase.

Novellas - also called novelettes depending on the word/page count you use to define 'em - are popular right now. At some point it will change again.

The author will make more money selling you several novellas than one big novel.

I think part of it is that is it helps maintain the fable like feel of the story by keeping it short and in the novella format. That it’s almost a lesson or story that you could experience in one sitting.

I get frustrated with books that should have been novellas and maybe even started that way, but for whatever reason - giving people their money’s worth or something else - become full length novels and suffer for it. I love chunky novels, but if it’s a novella’s worth of plot and everything else is junk filler, not even a quirky side arc, it makes it a less impactful experience. One thing I really appreciate about digital publishing, despite my love of physical books, is that it makes novellas easier to produce & cheaper to sell profitably in that format, which means more interesting stories are being told because there are fewer restrictions on format & length. Not every story needs to be a full novel. It’s the same thing that’s happening in TV. Love, Death, and Robots isn’t A+ TV but it’s embraced the streaming format and has done away with standard episode lengths. Obviously there are other examples but that one has the most length variety in popular TV that I can think of currently.

I think the shorter format works well for the Monk and Robot books. It's almost like you're going on this little journey with them. Meandering through the woods, having interesting conversations and even stopping for a bit of tea now and then. It's all very warm and cozy but I don't know how well it would work in a longer format.

I'm with you on these. They are just delightful. I enjoy their length though, they don't push themselves too far but just tell what is needed for the story.

I do wish they came out a bit more steadily though, given their length.

I personally think it works great for both the meditative nature of Monk and Robot, which isn't telling a traditional story, and to tell a tight, concise story that doesn't have a wimpy middle like in the Murderbot diaries.

Becky Chambers puts out an average of a book a year, not a lot of time to get things done in. Frankly I'm glad they're short, the implication otherwise is bad editing.

> Neither book has ended with much of cliff hanger or contained a huge conflict.

That's why. Chambers isn't writing a saga - she's giving cozy snapshots into a fictional world. There's minimal conflict and no real villains, and the focus is on the goal of the adventure, not the journey. They're short, sweet, and to the point. Like if Tolkein just skipped to the eagles, LoTR would be the length of a newspaper article.

> Additionally I believe writing such a short piece of work gives her the opportunity to make it as well written as possible, all quality no fluff.

100%

I'd love to add Monk & Robot books to my collection. Saw them at the local bookstore this week - for $45 each (Melbourne, Australia) Presumably the price was because they are technically 'hardcover' but come on, they're not even full-sized books. That pricing is insanity.

They really are just about perfect reads. Soo comforting and optimistic compared to the general circumstances people find themselves in today. She's absolutely right when she says they are for anyone who needs an escape or a respite. I will always buy Becky Chamber's book upon their release - she's incredibly good, and her work feels so timely and important. I share her work with everyone.

Ask yourself this question, 'Would you rather a book be too short, or too long?'

Some stories work better in a short format. e.g. Sherlock Holmes, while short, feel perfect for the stories being told. I really don't think I would like some Tom Clancy sized novel with Holmes and Watson. For me personally, there's nothing worse than a book which feels as though the author added in lots of filler to hit a page count.

i get WHY they're short but i still want more!!!! literally want to live in that world and become a tea monk