Can a sci-fi novel be shorter than 100,000 words?

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Magali

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Hi,


I have a sci-fi novel that's currently a little over 85,000 words and the sequel to it is around 79,000 words. Would that be too short? Do I have to add a few chapters to get it to the 100,000-word mark? I have read that an acceptable word count for sci-fi is 100,000 to 120,000 words. Are my novels too short? Should I add a little more?


Thanks
Magali.
 
add a sci fi twist that's two words. something involving getting smacked in the face with a sanfdwic h because there is nothing more insulting.
 
Do NOT add chapters just to get to the 100,000 word mark- that seldom, if ever, works.
Just for reference, most books are at least 90,000 words, and sci-fis are generally a bit longer than that. Are you sure that your plot is complex enough? Have you fleshed it out?
Also, have you revised it? For many people, their word count increases by quite a few thousand words after they've revised their novel- though for other people, it shrinks quite a bit. If you haven't done this, I recommend it. You may find that your novel is the perfect length- or you may find that it would be better suited as a short story or novella. If you don't want to do that, you could always make the plot more complex by adding a plot arc. However, you should not add chapters onto the end just because it seems too short.
Hope this helps!
 
It would probably be classified as a "novella" (which I think is a really stupid word, by the way. ;) ). There are lots of sci-fi novellas that have made quite an impact on history. Have you ever heard of "Anthem" by Ayn Rand? I'm not sure if that's exactly a sci-fi type book per se. But it's REALLY good and short. I read it in about two sittings.

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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100502162933AAfbt42
 
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