word count for short stories

The average word count for short novels can vary widely, but generally it can be around 10,000 to 40,000 words.

Word count is important for short stories as it can help with submission guidelines. Many literary magazines or writing contests have specific word count limits for short stories. For example, if a magazine asks for short stories between 1000 - 3000 words, you need to know the word count of your story to see if it fits.

Word count is important for short stories as it helps in meeting submission requirements. Many literary magazines or contests have specific word limits, so knowing the word count ensures your story can be considered.

Typically, for a very short fantasy short story, it could be as few as 500 - 1,000 words. This allows for a quick and concise narrative that can still convey a unique fantasy concept, like a brief encounter with a magical creature. A more common length is around 1,500 - 3,000 words. In this range, there's enough space to develop a simple plot, introduce a couple of characters, and build a small but engaging fantasy world. Some markets may accept fantasy short stories up to 5,000 words, which gives more room for complex sub - plots and in - depth character development.

The average word count for a book of short stories can vary greatly. Generally, it could be around 20,000 to 40,000 words. However, some collections might be shorter, say 10,000 words if the stories are very short and there are not too many of them. Others could be longer, up to 50,000 or 60,000 words if the stories are on the longer side or there are a large number of stories in the collection.

The word count of famous short novels can vary greatly. For example, 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is relatively short, usually around 2,000 words. Another well - known short novel, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, is about 25,000 words. And 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens is around 30,000 words. However, there are also very short masterpieces that might be just a few hundred words long.

A short novel typically ranges from around 20,000 to 50,000 words. But it can vary depending on different definitions and genres.

Typically, headings are excluded from the word count of a short story. The focus is usually on the main text. However, some contests or editors might have their own rules, so it's always best to double-check.

The word count for short stories in The New Yorker can vary. Generally, they often aim for a concise yet impactful length. Some short stories might be around 1,500 - 5,000 words, but this isn't a strict rule. It depends on the nature of the story, the writing style of the author, and what the editors are looking for at a given time. For example, if it's a very character - driven piece, it might be on the longer side to fully develop the characters, while a more plot - focused short story could be shorter.

Another option is to use online tools. There are many free online word count tools available. You simply copy and paste the text of the short story into the tool's input area, and it will instantly show you the word count. Some popular ones are WordCounter.net and CharacterCountOnline.com. These are convenient especially if you don't have access to a word processing software at the moment.