Short Story vs Novel in the SciFi Realm

[scifishipper]

Hello my dear writers. A question for those of you who read scifi novels and short stories (or are familiar with that genre's publishing practices). I have both a novel and a short story in the works. Both are science fiction and set in different worlds. I have been reading lots about writing and publishing, and much of it about science fiction

Comments

[lanalucy]

I read anything I can get my grubby little paws on. My budget is VERY limited, so I read a lot of free stuff, which isn't necessarily always good. I adore anthologies, particularly if the stories are by different authors, so that I can get an idea about an author's style. I do prefer to read long fiction, so I like it if an author has something long for me to read at some point.

I don't go digging into an author's backlist, unless I am really, really impressed and musthavemore right now, but if I happen to find out they're published in some anthology or like Omni or whatever, I'll try to find it online or in the used book store.

To some degree, you've got a little bit of a built-in audience right here, because those of us who've read your fic will want to read your fiction. And you cannot undervalue word-of-mouth as an advertising tool. I would never have found dragoninthecup's fiction on Amazon if everybody hadn't raved about her BSG fic on no_takebacks.

[scifishipper]

Yes, I am hoping my readership will want to read my online fiction! I am interested in breaking into the wider markets, as it were, and really wanted to know if people read short stories. I used to read them a lot, but prefer long, epic novels that span several books. That is my novel's plan, and thus the FOREVERTOWRITE problem.

Thanks!

[scifishipper]

Thank you! This is all very good to know. Thank you. I think publishing short stories would be a great boon and I think shorts are something in particular that fanfic writers do well. <3

*crosses fingers and types*

[lanalucy]

Oh, definitely I'll go to the author's website to find little freebies, or more information about the world, or little stories about minor characters or whatever the author wants to offer.

[kdbleu]

One of the things I really like about the sci-fi publishing world, as I have experienced which is admittedly limited in many ways, is the use of short story as access point. I LOVE the short story format, especially the use of it as a way for writer to gain exposure and readers.

I have discovered recently through my Kindle account both short stories and serials being used much like teasers for authors which I find fascinating. But a really great way to gain readers through word of mouth.

[scifishipper]

Yes! There is such a following for some writers. I just read an anthology and the introduction for one author talked about his plethora of short stories and NO novel (and when was it going to be written??) was the call the editor repeated. I think scifi fans are also very loyal and much like fanfic, they seem to want to stick to readers they know and developing a following could be great!

Thanks for the encouragement!

[kdbleu]

the introduction for one author talked about his plethora of short stories and NO novel (and when was it going to be written??)

I was reading something similar recently, don't have any idea where now, but likely about the same author.

I really miss short stories. I hadn't realized how much until I started reading and writing fanfic. I think especially in the fic for sci-fi and fantasy genres it's because of those genres still have active short story reader. There's already a fit.

It's sad the loss of short story. They used to be in fashion magazines, without which the chic-lit genre likely wouldn't exist really. It would be nice if e-readers and the internet brought short stories back.

[callmeonetrack]

I like immediate gratification as both a reader and writer, so I say go for the short story! FYI Tor.com takes short story submissions. If it's like the other Macmillan sites they pay $1K for rights and also will pay royalties (30% maybe?) if they do anything with it as an ebook. Might be a good market to check out. (And of course there's always Locus mag too.)

[scifishipper]

Yes! I am realizing that writing the novel yields very low gratification and it's hard to keep going with so little progress. Ugh. I am going to switch gears and try to keep writing short stories. There are a lot of place that pay for shorts and some that are looking for flash fiction, less than 5k, sometimes 1k, and those should be simple enough to churn out. It has reinvigorated me! I am not sure which place to send for publishing first, so I might have to ping you separately to ask. Thanks, bb! <3

[ecstaticdance]

Personally, I've generally only read short stories as parts of anthologies.

But.

Those magazines? Are and have been popular, and are not going away. My husband has, literally, boxes full of them (I think his was Dragon Magazine, which is fantasy-oriented more than sci-fi, but the point remains). And he's definitely not alone.

Also, yes. Short stories work very well on e-readers, and the ability to pick up a story and finish it in less than a month without eschewing sleep entirely is sometimes fabulous.

Keep in mind, too, that you can sometimes publish the short stories as they're ready, then re-release as an anthology when you have enough stories.

All of which is to say, go for it! If short stories are calling you, then go there when you need a break from fighting the novel.

[scifishipper]

Yes! People adore those magazines! I have to compile a list of mags and run through them to see the quality and specific bent of their readership to find out what kinds of stories they will buy. Thanks so much for the encouragement! <3

[mlsky]

This!! Everything Jen said. :D

I would add one more spot of encouragement regarding the anthology/omnibus idea. You mentioned writing several stories featuring different characters but set in the same 'verse...this is absolutely fodder for a large volume when you're finished--or even before you're finished, really. Depending on the length of each story, once you reach four or five, you could release a volume or collection with maybe some bonus scenes or material to keep it fresh for readers.

**added note: on a personal level, I love picking up collections like this for my own reading. :D :D

[kdbleu]

I have long been fascinated by the idea of writing a "novel" in short story like this. Opens up the scope and depth of a world without having to structure a novel.