The e-novella.

There is a new(ish) trend in the book world lately... the e-novella.  Now that e-readers are so widespread and popular, many publishers and authors take full advantage of the fact that a short story or novella can be published quickly and a lot cheaper than when everything was physically printed.  Therefore, many authors are publishing novellas between books, before a new book release, or simply because they have a short story they'd like to share :)  This is a great way to make the wait for a new book in your favorite series or a new novel from a favorite author a little more bearable.  (Well I suppose perhaps this is a matter of opinion... if the short story is amazing and you still have to wait a few months for the book... perhaps it makes the wait feel even longer... but there's still new reading material... so no complaints!)

I actually really love this new trend, especially when the e-novella is a prequel for an upcoming novel.  Typically these novellas give you a glimpse into the characters and world of the novel and lets you see if the novel is really something you'll like.  Plus, novellas are typically inexpensive (some are even free!) and short (usually 200 pages or less), so if I'm hesitant on whether or not I'll like an upcoming book or author, I download a novella to see how I feel about the story/writing.  

I asked some of the authors I've met recently how they felt about publishing these works and if it's something publishers are pushing.  They mostly responded that it is kind of the "in thing," and many publishers ask if the author would be willing to put something out prior to a release to build excitement for an upcoming title.  Other authors said they take it as an opportunity to tell a different perspective of a story or share a related story that might not fit into their final novel.  All-in-all I think these e-novellas are a win-win-win for authors, readers, and publishers.

Some novellas that I've scooped up and enjoyed lately are:

Little Lies by Heather Gudenkauf -- This was the prequel to Heather's latest novel Little Mercies.  It's a short mystery/suspense novel in which social worker Ellen Moore is brought in to help with a four-year-old boy who is found next to the body of his murdered mother.  An excellent stand alone story as well as a great introduction to the characters from Little Mercies.



The Other Girl by Pam Jenoff -- A short companion novella to Pam's latest novel The Winter Guest about a newly married, pregnant young woman name Maria during WWII who finds a Jewish girl, Hannah, hiding in the barn.  This short story definitely makes you want to read more about the characters and their lives... luckily The Winter Guest is out already, so there's plenty more of Pam's wonderful writing ready to be read!

The Undertaking of Tess by Lesley Kagen -- A prequel to Lesley's upcoming novel The Resurrection of Tess Blessing this novella tells the story of 11-year-old Tess and her 10-year-old sister Birdie.  The story takes place right after their father accidentally drowns and Tess now must navigate the world, and look after her sister, without his help.  Equal parts heartwarming and funny, I loved this short story and can't wait to get a copy of the novel!




Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't, The Mummy That Was, and the Cat in the Jar by Gail Carriger -- A short story set in the world of Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series which gives a bit more background on Alessandro Tarabotti's character.  Carriger's writing is so humorous and fun... for anyone who likes science-fiction with a dash of British humor... I recommend checking out this series (and you can start with the novella to get a sampling of her writing style!).




The Wanderer in Unknown Realms by John Connolly -- A stand alone novella written by the author of one of my favorite books of all time (The Book of Lost Things... if you haven't read this novel... do it!) about madness, obsession, and books.  This story would actually be a good one to check out with Halloween on the way... it's definitely got a horror vibe to it!



So, if you're looking for a way to see how much you may or may not enjoy a new author, or for new works from an author you adore... see if they have any e-novellas available... you just might discover something new!

Happy reading! :)