“Obviously, we ask too much of a hyphen when we ask it to cast its spell over words that do not adjoin.”

- E.B. White, The Elements of Style

Short

List

Short list

Short-list

Shortlist

Hmm. Has anyone out there a strong opinion on the proper setup of these two particular words?

I ask because Harbour View has been selected for a list that’s short to do with anAtlantic Book Award.

I’d hate to write an announcement with, you know, a typo in it.

Harbour View has been put on the short list/short-list/shortlist for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award.

There, now. How’s that look?