Tor Looks to bring back the Novella Market with ‘The Imprint’

There was a time when short stories and novellas were the preferred format for Fantasy and Science-Fiction stories. However, as years have gone by, the physical versions of SFF stories have got larger and larger; so much so that it is now rare to see a published novel in either genre under about 500 pages. Part of this is because the deeper story lines and more complex plots that are trending right now demand this to be the case, but there is also an argument, surely, that this has become a kind of ‘expectation’ of readers, that if a novel is below 500 pages the reader feels a little cheated or that they aren’t getting their monies worth.

This movement to longer work killed off the short story markets and scuppered the demand for novellas. Talented authors producing short stories and novellas are now almost unheard of unless you really go out and look for them. Even those being nominated for awards – such as the Hugo, Locus or Aurealis – are likely unfamiliar to most readers.

Well, Tor.com is looking to change all this with the announcement that they will be expanding their original fiction program via a new imprint dedicated to publishing novellas, shorter novels, serialisations, and any other pieces of fiction that exceeds the traditional novelette length (17,499 words).

On announcing the new imprint, Tor explained that: ‘Ebooks offer greater flexibility than print publishing in terms of story length and publication schedule, greatly increasing the options that both new and experienced authors have in getting their fiction to the market. In the past six years we have had the great fortune to work with literally hundreds of authors and illustrators in the publication and promotion of their short fiction. Transitioning to an author-centric digital imprint, with the aim of fostering and reviving novella and short novel-length commercial science fiction and fantasy, is the next logical step in Tor.com’s evolution.’

In terms of the kind of titles Tor will be offering, it seems in-line with their longer fiction. Here’s the submission guidelines:

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: Tor.com: The Imprint is looking for complete, original science fiction and fantasy stories of 17,500 words or more, with a preference for novellas and shorter novels. We are seeking stories with commercial appeal that take advantage of the particular strengths of the novella and short novel formats. We are aiming to publish titles in the adult marketplace, but will consider young adult submissions. Ideal submissions will benefit from the careful and interesting world-creation that is the domain of the novel and the concise focus on language and emotion that the novella demands. We do not accept works that have been previously published elsewhere, works that fall below the specified word length, or works that are not identifiable as fantasy or science fiction. We encourage submissions by writers from underrepresented populations. This includes but is not limited to writers of any race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, class, and ability, as well as characters and settings that reflect these experiences.

Each DRM-free title will be available exclusively for purchase, unlike the current fiction that is offered for free on their site, and will have full publisher support behind it. I’m interested to see what ‘full publisher support’ will mean. Tor has been a PR monster in recent years, their blog has become so active that it is almost impossible to keep up with and their advertisements are splashed around just about every genre blog and fansite (that accepts advertisements) out there. I think back to Jay Kristoff’s Stormdancer and the incredible buzz they created around that title – could they really do the same with Novellas? I’d like to think so, because they are very marketable. One example that springs to mind is Sarah Pinborough’s The Language of Dying that was released last year. I believe it was around 30,000 words; but it turned out to be one of the deepest and most powerful things I read in 2013. However, because the hardback is so small on a bookshelf (about 90 pages), I imagine many SFF fans would – understandably – glance over it when it costs the same as a George R.R. Martin title.

All that said, it is interesting that it’s not just digitally that these stories will be available; well, not all of them at least. Tor have said that they will make all titles available via Print On Demand and Audio, but also that they will consider traditionally publishing a select number of titles throughout the year – worldwide too. What I was pleased to read was that the contracts are designed to be simple and author-friendly. The problem with Short Stories and Novellas in the past has been that because there is so little money in it, the contracts have been worth a pittance.  Tor promise that: ‘Authors will be offered the option of receiving a traditional advance against net earnings or higher rates with no advance. Royalties for all formats will be based on net publisher receipts with no hidden deductions and will be paid quarterly.’

Telling is Tor’s choice of name, ‘The Imprint’, and the statement that: ‘we are using this opportunity to reevaluate every step of the publishing process and are looking forward to creating a program with a fresh, start-up mentality, but with the rich legacy of Tor Books and Tor.com behind us.’ It implies that Tor look to set themselves up as ‘the’ digital retailer for SFF titles. Certainly, I think that Tor is leading the way in terms of getting ready for the future of publishing. I honestly don’t know if book shops will exist as they do today in ten years time. I hate to say it, but Amazon is making books cheaper, Digital Readers are making them easier to get hold of and smaller homes are meaning that storing books is getting more inconvenient too.

A number of publishing houses have been struggling, some have cut their SFF labels or reduced them greatly; so there is a real importance for publishers to stay ahead as opposed to fall behind. This seems like a great way for Tor to differentiate themselves, promote the fact they are truly digital and begin playing with ideas on a smaller scale, before applying the working ones to their larger imprint. What I do wonder is whether readers will bite. What do you think? If short stories / novellas were given better backing, publicised better, made more widely available and edited professionally would you be more interested in reading them? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

For those writers interested in submitting, you can read the Tor.com Imprint Submissions Guidelines here. For the next 3 months Tor will be accepting unsolicited, unagented submissions (closing submissions at the end of August). If you send something in: GOOD LUCK!

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