A novella is a book of narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than most novels, but longer than most novelettes and short stories. The English word "novella" derives from the Italian novella
The 1982 collection Different Seasons by Stephen King consists of four novellas.
Matteo Bandello was an Italian writer, soldier, Dominican friar and bishop, best known for his novellas. His collection of 214 novellas made him the most popular short-story writer of his day.