How I learned to stop whining and love the novella
Two exciting things have happened recently: I finished knitting a hat and also published the last book in my Olympus Inc. series!
They both made my hands hurt!
Here also is national news (!) footage of me cooing over an astounding and generous op shop donation of thousands of kimono. I am the one saying "Look at that, that's so cool!" in voiceover at the beginning and you can also see me in a black lace jacket, sunglasses pushed into my curls, as I intently grope through the bins.
Despite my very genuine enthusiasm, I escaped with a sober and responsible five kimono, but I saw more than one person walk away with several boxes, looking half-gleeful and half-appalled by the glorious excess.
If you have read and enjoyed XO, Xena, (or any of the Olympus books) please do leave a review, on Amazon, Goodreads or The StoryGraph! I have some marketing plans in the works, and, as we know, I am bad at marketing, so your review is even more valuable than normal when it comes to assuring people, that yes, this is a book they might enjoy.
Ah, novellas.
As a 90s Youth, I was all about reading the biggest books I could get my hands on (doorstop fantasies, old school Literature) for the following reasons:
- I used to read easily three or four hours a day. It was my chief leisure activity all through school and university, as well as a huge portion of my coursework.
- I read (and still read) quickly. I don't think I am technically a speed reader, but last time I checked, my rate was about 700 words per minute with high comprehension. In real terms, this means the average length Olympus Inc. book would take me about two hours.
I was reading in the bathroom! Reading between classes! Reading waiting for the bus, then reading on the bus, then reading walking to class from the bus stop! Reading backstage! Reading in cafes! Absolutely destroying my shoulders by lugging multiple books in my bag because what if I finished a book and didn't have another one right there to start!?
Novellas didn't fit in this schedule, because they supplied a mere hour or so of reading. Pft to them. I was out of the house all day, and a novella would barely cover the commute.
But then, oh glory, oh sweetest day, eBooks arrived, and so did smart phones. Not only could I read without carrying nineteen thousand physical volumes, I could read a bunch of lengthy tomes from times gone by for free, completely legally (ilu forever Project Gutenberg). And if I finished that book, I could immediately read another one. I could carry thousands of books with me, on a device that weighed less than a single paperback.
And I did. And I do.
I have never looked back. The addition of Libby and Hoopla and other library apps made my life immeasurably better, and so did increased income + being able to claim books as a business expense on my taxes. But it took a little longer for my brain to go, "you know what...? Novellas."
Because these days, I don't habitually spend three to four hours a day reading, (although when I do, it's awesome) and it doesn't matter how long or short a book is because I can read another book when it's done! Novellas are delightful, snack-size, one session reading treats, and I adore them.
Important note: You cannot expect a novella to be a novel. It will refuse. There will be less story. There are likely to be details you wish had been developed further. Some characters may only appear for a brief, delightful moment. You may like it so much that you wish it were longer (a great compliment!) All of this is valid, and exactly none of it is an excuse for leaving the comment, "This could easily have been a novel!", which reliably makes me want to grab the reviewer by the lapels and snarl, "Could it?? Easily?? EASILY???"
Here are my favorites. Some of these series contain short stories and novels as well, which make me happy, as someone who likes to fit the length of the story to how much story there is.
Do you like high fantasy?
Read the Penric and Desdemona series, by Lois McMaster Bujold. Okay, look, I do not often comment on covers, because art is subjective etc and I don't want to spend my time in public forums talking about art I don't like, but some of these covers are famously bad. Please ignore that. The story of a young man possessed by/possessing a demon in a gorgeously realized fantasy world and dealing with the many chaotic consequences with wit and grace and a steady devotion to doing the right thing is well worth your time.
Do you like science fiction?
Read The Murderbot Diaries, by Martha Wells. Oh, Murderbot. You ornery, suspicious, introverted, media-loving, corporate-hating SecUnit of my heart.
Do you like cosy historical fantasy mysteries?
Read the Teacup Magic series, by Tansy Rayner Roberts. I love historical fantasy that takes on some of the nastier aspects of real-world history under that fantasy lens. In this case, it's "if magic existed, and misogyny also existed, misogynists would absolutely try to restrict what kind of magic women could do/experience, and women would absolutely fight back." Also, cute romances and cosy murders to solve!
Do you like gothic cosy historical fantasy romance?
Read the Good Neighbours collection, by Stephanie Burgis, which is the collected stories and novellas about an innocent girl and her sinister castle-dwelling neighbour except not that, because Stephanie never met a trope she didn't want to pull apart with skeptical charm. Fun necromancy, interfering elders, great banter, do read.
Do you like contemporary romance set in New Zealand?
Read Valentines in the Vines, A Very Kiwi Christmas, or The Longest Night, by Courtney Clark Michaels, Esme Brett and Stephanie Ruth. These three are a) delightful humans and b) excellent novella writers. Each of these titles comprises three interconnected novellas, which is super fun, because you get to read the first one and speculate as to which of the side characters will be getting their own story next. They're fun, sharp, feminist, steamy romances, and extremely New Zealand in a matter-of-fact, non-pandering way I deeply appreciate. Plus, twenty percent of the proceeds from The Longest Night go to Women's Refuge!
Do you like contemporary romance set in New Zealand but it's also magic and also cosy and also I talk a lot about sewing and cooking?
Read the Movie Magic series by Karen Healey! (Bespoke & Bespelled | Savory & Supernatural)
Look at me, marketing and everything. This novella series is what happens when I take a bunch of things I love (sudden attraction! workplace romance! film sets! New Zealand scenery! textiles and food! vibes-based specialty magic!) and puree them in a mental blender until they make delicious novella smoothies. I have series continuation plans, but they are not yet financially viable. If you would like to contribute to their financial viability, please buy and review!
I am still furious and sad about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. My donation last payday went to The Sameer Project.