I've written a very short novel should I bother doing anything with it?

Answer 1

Yes. Definitely. Think of the alternative: not doing anything with it.

And do not be deterred by any negative comments or rejections. Some of the greatest classical writers were turned down repeatedly by publishers. But even so, you may want to find out an expert's opinion. Even if someone does turn it down, be sure to find out what they think is "wrong" with it and how you can improve it, if and only if, you want to change it. But above all, you should know that the hardest part is over. You wrote a short novel which is quite an accomplishment. I wish I could do the same. If you created something that you consider has value, you may be surprised how many other people, your readers, might agree with you.

Answer 2

Consult a Writer's Market book at the library or buy one at your book store. Inside you'll find lists of literary agents and publishers that might accept your genre. Check the submission guidelines; there might be limitations one way or the other on word count.

I'd suppose a very short novel, as you described it, could be considered novelette size, such as 20,000 to 30,000 words.

Check the agent's or the publisher's website for submission guidelines; you may be able to e-mail it to them. Otherwise, a strong query letter and probably the first three chapters must be printed in exact format and mailed. Expect a reply in three to four months.

Before submitting it, get the story edited again for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A manuscript received that looks amateurish will likely be trashed.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Ignore romansis. Of course you're going to get rejection along the way, but the only way you will know if what you're writing is any good is if you show it to people and have them read it. Preferably, show it to people who know what good writing is. Like the other answerer said, writing teachers or writing professionals or people who read a lot & read widely, not just the NYT Best Seller Lists.

As far as the length goes, short could be a novella. Clarise Lipster is known for great short fiction. So is Poe. What about Virginia Woolfe? All great writers.

The key to rejection is to learn from it, improve your writing and move forward. Don't let rejection make you stagnant. That is how not to become a writer. Rejection is part of the profession. Consider this; for every acceptance, you need to get rejected ten times. Each time you get a rejection, you're one tenth closer to an acceptance.

Answer 4

Go to bookstore or to library and find "Writer's Market for 2006" you can look up book publishers and find out if someone is taking the type of book (content and length) you've written. Make sure you have it in correct manuscript format (you can find that on the web), that you provide an SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) and send it out. No one sells a book by leaving it in the drawer. I can promise you, no Editors go knocking on doors asking strangers if they have a book manuscript lying around.

Basically, if you are proud of what you've written, try to find a publisher (one who pays you, not a vanity or subsidy press) for it.
Good luck.

Answer 5

There's no magic length. If you can tell your story in 200 pages or less (which is, in my view, a thin novel) then by all means do it and don't be shy about sending the manuscript to a few publishers. Be sure to include a SASE if you want it back.

Answer 6

If you haven't a publisher at this stage, send a copy of the novel via registered mail too yourself keep it sealed and put it somewhere safe, this is a way of proving ones copyright is yours in case at some later stage in life you find someone has got hold of the draft and had it published, turned into a film or play, your registered package would stand up in a court of law as proof you are the true author.

Good luck.

Answer 7

If you've written a short novel or anything for that matter, it's your duty to share it with the world. Get it out there. Make your mark on the world.

Answer 8

How short? Anything less than 20,000 words is generally considered a short story, in which case you won't find a market for it unless a publisher is doing a compilation.

If it's 20,000-50,000 someone might take you on. Give it a try.

Answer 9

Yes...you should be happy and try to publish it.

Give it to few of your good friends for feed back, and then you can think of any changes necessary and thereafter, give it to a publisher or do the publis it yourself.

You might become a millionaire soon.

Answer 10

If you want to publish it, you may want to add another mini-novel, or several short stories. If you would like to just self-publish that one novel, just try lulu.com. It all depends on whether you decide to publish.