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Novelette

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A novelette (or, rarely, novelet)[1] is a piece of short prose fiction. The distinction between a novelette and other literary forms is usually based upon word count, with a novelette being longer than a short story, but shorter than a novella. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula awards for science fiction define the novelette as having a word count of between 7,500 and 17,499, inclusive.[2]

The terms novelette and novelettish have also been used in a derogatory manner, suggesting fiction which is "trite, feeble or sentimental".[3]

'Novelette' in music

The word was used by the composer Robert Schumann as a title for some piano pieces, a choice that reflected his literary background and interests. The music in question (op. 21, and op. 99 no. 9) is episodic, however, and does not especially resemble a narrative. He was followed by Niels Gade, Theodor Kirchner, Stephen Heller and much later by Poulenc, Lutosławski ("Novelette for Orchestra"), Chaminade, Tcherepnin, and George Gershwin ("Novelette in Fourths").



See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, as per current usage 17 August 2009.
  2. ^ Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Awards FAQ, accessed 16 May 2009.
  3. ^ Chambers Dictionary