Novellas

These are just my opinions and are subject to change. If you disagree with me, please say so respectfully so we may discuss it further.

Ramble:

Nothing irks me more than feeling like I wasted my time and money on a book. It can't be helped that you purchase a bad novel, sometimes a book won't be up to par with your tastes. The loss in cash stings but you know what really feels like a waste to me? Novella series. I want to talk about some very specific types of marketing that get under my skin, and how long I'll actually stick out a novella series.

A novel is a short story that can be anywhere from 40- 150 pages. With as many times as I've sought out the true definition of "novella", that's my best answer. Typically a novella is used as a sort of prologue to a bigger series, or something that highlights a side character that an author didn't think would receive such a fan base. Usually, a novella is a stand alone. Even in regards to a bigger series, you don't have to read it to follow along with the plot. But lately I have been noticing a growing trend- the novella series.

The novella series can go one of two ways- the series follows the same hero and heroine, or it follows different ones (think J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood.) Something like a novella trilogy doesn't bug me. With those, I assume the author wrote out the first part, didn't have much of an idea to go beyond that until randomly inspiration hit and she/he was on the roll. It happens to the best of us. Stephen King's The Green Mile was purposely written in short books and released one for every month until the series was finished. He said having those 'episodes' out reminded him of his childhood- dime store novels; but afterwards when the last one hit the shelves for a month he put them in a box set. Dime store novels- for the younger generations- were just that, short stories or novellas sold at stores for a dime. This was a trend before comic books made it big, and the worth of a dollar changed.
But let's also keep in mind that not everyone is Stephen King, so not every novella series is done for that purpose.

My immediate reaction to seeing a long novel series (anything over three books) is 'what a lazy author! They couldn't just come out with a novel?!' Now I know this is unfair. Writing can be difficult and it takes a lot of time to accomplish. But seeing something stretched so far with simple novellas, especially when they follow the same two characters, just appears... Seriously lacking, to me.
To calm this sort of snobbish attitude, I then check the prices of each book. Something that is 40 pages but priced at $2.99 almost insults me. I could have more fun at an arcade for that much. Though I am a bookworm, books are NOT a necessity. It's a calming form of entertainment that I prefer to turn to instead of television. With the economy, we all struggle to pay the bills and make ends meet while treating ourselves to a little something every now and then. In these times, I need a cheap route to find literary pleasure. Not everyone is in my position, and I understand that, but at the same time I am not a rare case.
I feel like this should be taken into consideration when going choosing how much to put your book up for. Nobody wants to feel cheated out of their money.

Something that eases my conscience in buying a novella series for a jacked up price- box sets. With box sets I feel like I am getting more for my money, even if it's not true. "Five short stories for $6.99?! Okay!" True story. Infact, I am almost in love with box sets! One box set that I really adored was $7.99 and included two novellas and two full length novels. It was well written, I felt satisfied with my purchase, and it took awhile to read.