Short-Form Creative Writing
A Writer's Guide and Anthology
2nd Edition
Published on 5. February 2026
336 pages
978-1-350-45931-1 (ISBN)
Description
A complete introduction to the art and craft of extremely compressed works of imaginative literature, this book, now in its 2nd edition, introduces both traditional and innovative approaches to the short form and demonstrates how it possesses structure, logic, and coherence while simultaneously resisting expectations.
With discussion questions, writing prompts, flash interviews, and illustrated key concepts, the book covers prose poetry, flash fiction, micro memoir, lyric essay, cross-genre/hybrid writing and much more. Two new chapters explore how to spark inspiration and innovation, and how to take the next steps by collaborating with partners and preparing work for publication. In this revised and expanded edition, H. K. Hummel and Stephanie Lenox present the ultimate companion to writing short fiction, featuring microplays, new short-form tactics, and a dozen fresh anthology pieces by Eve L. Ewing, Ross Gay, Jayne Anne Phillips, Gertrude Stein, and Jean Toomer, along with one-sentence student workshops that spotlight small but powerful moves in the short form.
The extensive anthology showcases sixty short-form works including microplays and pieces by writers from Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Canada, France, Greece, Bosnia, and the U.S., offering a vibrant mix of styles, forms, themes, and voices.
With discussion questions, writing prompts, flash interviews, and illustrated key concepts, the book covers prose poetry, flash fiction, micro memoir, lyric essay, cross-genre/hybrid writing and much more. Two new chapters explore how to spark inspiration and innovation, and how to take the next steps by collaborating with partners and preparing work for publication. In this revised and expanded edition, H. K. Hummel and Stephanie Lenox present the ultimate companion to writing short fiction, featuring microplays, new short-form tactics, and a dozen fresh anthology pieces by Eve L. Ewing, Ross Gay, Jayne Anne Phillips, Gertrude Stein, and Jean Toomer, along with one-sentence student workshops that spotlight small but powerful moves in the short form.
The extensive anthology showcases sixty short-form works including microplays and pieces by writers from Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Canada, France, Greece, Bosnia, and the U.S., offering a vibrant mix of styles, forms, themes, and voices.
More details
Series
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
15 bw illus
ISBN-13
978-1-350-45931-1 (9781350459311)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 03/2026
2nd Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€30.00
Not yet published
Persons
H. K. Hummel is Associate Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA. She is the author of the poetry collections, Lessons in Breathing Underwater (2019), Boytreebird (2013), and Handmade Boats (2010).
Stephanie Lenox is an instructional editor for Chemeketa Press at Chemeketa Community College, USA. She is the author of the poetry collections, The Business (2016), Congress of Strange People (2012), and The Heart That Lies Outside the Body (2007).
Stephanie Lenox is an instructional editor for Chemeketa Press at Chemeketa Community College, USA. She is the author of the poetry collections, The Business (2016), Congress of Strange People (2012), and The Heart That Lies Outside the Body (2007).
Content
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface for the Second Edition
Part I: an Introduction to Short-form Creative Writing
Chapter 1: Revolutionary Short Forms
Chapter 2: Inspiration and Innovation
Part II: the Craft of Short-form Creative Writing
Chapter 3: Making Sense
Chapter 4: Deep Conversations
Chapter 5: Moving Through Time and Space
Chapter 6: Microcosmic Design
Chapter 7: How to Leap: Aha Moments and Symbolic Logic
Chapter 8: Finding Your Funny
Chapter 9: Misfit Pleasures
Part III: Strategies for Short-form Creative Writing
Chapter 10: Beg, Borrow, and Steal
Chapter 11: Not So Fast! Strategic Revision
Chapter 12: What's Next?
Part IV: Short-form Anthology
Appendix A: Student Work
Appendix B: Genre Index
End Notes
Contributor Bios
Bibliography
Index
List of Tables
Preface for the Second Edition
Part I: an Introduction to Short-form Creative Writing
Chapter 1: Revolutionary Short Forms
Chapter 2: Inspiration and Innovation
Part II: the Craft of Short-form Creative Writing
Chapter 3: Making Sense
Chapter 4: Deep Conversations
Chapter 5: Moving Through Time and Space
Chapter 6: Microcosmic Design
Chapter 7: How to Leap: Aha Moments and Symbolic Logic
Chapter 8: Finding Your Funny
Chapter 9: Misfit Pleasures
Part III: Strategies for Short-form Creative Writing
Chapter 10: Beg, Borrow, and Steal
Chapter 11: Not So Fast! Strategic Revision
Chapter 12: What's Next?
Part IV: Short-form Anthology
Appendix A: Student Work
Appendix B: Genre Index
End Notes
Contributor Bios
Bibliography
Index
