Module manager: Dr Jess Richards
Email: j.richards3@leeds.ac.u
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as an Elective
Many contemporary professional writers engage creatively with short form writing - flash fiction and nonfiction, prose poetry, creative nonfiction, hybrid texts (which cross literary boundaries and genres by exploring form and content in innovative new ways). In this digital age, writers often need to consider a variety of contexts and methods of publication, and how much attention and time online readers are able to devote to creative texts. There are many online literary magazines, forums, resources, and repositories publishing short form creative texts – we will explore some of these as well as collections/compilations of these texts which have since been published in print form. In this module we will aim to understand some of the specialist skills required in writing short form texts by exploring their presence in online publications, and developing short form texts within our own creative writing practice. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
We will examine a range of key examples of contemporary short form texts: fiction, nonfiction and hybrid (which often cross literary boundaries and genres by exploring form and content in innovative new ways) from digital sources. These will be analysed and discussed in terms of their literary elements, publication context, audience, socio-political contexts and intertextual references. We will also explore our own writing techniques and motivations via creative practice. In workshops and through private study, students will be equipped to produce their own short form fiction / nonfiction / hybrid texts, and will submit a portfolio of short form creative writing aimed at digital audiences, and a short reflective essay for summative assessment
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Appraise digital publications of short form creative writing: fiction, nonfiction and hybrid texts
2. Critically evaluate conventions and publication contexts of contemporary short form creative writing 3. Reflectively consider short form creative writing within a personal writing practice
4. Develop a range of creative writing skills to use within short form creative writing (including voice, style, structure, tone, content, form, working to a publication brief) from a practitioner’s perspective (work ready, technical)
5. Engage creatively in the practice of creative writing for digital audiences, and in working to a brief (work ready, technical, digital) Sustainability, Enterprise).
6. Demonstrate effective decision making within an independent project, and synthesise critical feedback (work ready, academic)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 280 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
There will be short extracts of writing-in-progress submitted for peer and tutor feedback. Students will have the opportunity to create and respond to a publication brief which will involve gaining peer and tutor feedback on an informal presentation.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Portfolio | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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