Sonya Larson wrote a funny short entry on Grub Street's blog entitled Toilets and Literature, on why short stories aren't more popular in America despite our ever-shrinking attention spans.
Since visiting other uncultured toilets, with many sighs of disappointment, I’ve wondered why not every household toilet has a Best American Short Stories propped up on the tank. Why don’t people read stories on the subway, or in line at the bank, instead of the novel they complain to have been reading since 1998? In short, why aren’t short stories more popular?
Indeed, it does seem that we prefer our other literature to be shorter and shorter. A recent Slate article estimates that the average Washington Post story is 25% shorter today than 30 years ago. Many glossy magazines nowadays are so photo-centric that words themselves are merely decorative (ironic, no?) An editor at a magazine where I had interned said articles slated for a feature can become shortened to a well article if the photos aren't good enough, and a mediocre tiny blurb can become bigger features if the photos are amazing.
Then why aren't short stories more popular? One reason Larson points out is that short stories aren't short enough, that people still have to put in the time and effort to digest something that's 15, 20, or 30 pages long, much longer than the average magazine or newspaper article. (Unless, of course, you're a New Yorker devotee.)
Another reason, relating to the above, is that fiction reading on the whole is getting less popular. And if people (avid readers and occasional readers alike) put in the effort to read fiction, they are more likely to choose a longer story that will allow them to escape for a while. My friend Amy, who devours books faster than I do, once said she "hated" short stories because once you get into the characters and the situation, the story ends.
Publishing houses, PR, and book clubs, however, can be critical in cultivating short story readership. Witness The Interpreter of Maladies: A first time author comes out with a short story collection. Short story collection wins Pulitzer Prize. Short story collection becomes the darling of book clubs and chain bookstores and indie bookstores alike.
If Oprah starts promoting more collections, America will have a short story renaissance.
Hey there, and thanks for picking up on my post! It's a puzzling question, isn't it? And how interesting/frightening that editors feel such liberty to slash words...I feel like this is a subject to return to.
Thanks, and I love your blog!
~Sonya
