Writing creative writing, story writing and other writings by Rob Hopcott

End of the road for short stories?

The demise of the short story market has been widely publicised but the reasons behind this self evident fact are intriguing.

Comparing short stories to novels is like comparing a song to a symphony. They have a different purpose. Radio stations play short pop songs all the time.

Is a small picture in an art gallery any less important than one that takes up the whole wall?

Certainly, a compilation of short stories can leave the reader feeling fragmented as they are plunged into a series of different mindscapes.

And, of course, one short story can’t be published for money as a paper or hard back.

But, perhaps the apparent demise of the short story is just about wealth. In a world where so many are driving SUVs instead of the smaller cars of yesteryear, perhaps they have cast aside the short story for a more expensive model … The novel.

What do you think?

Rob

(Rob Hopcott - online writer and lover of a good short story)