This module introduces you to the world of contemporary publishing in all its variety, and to the processes by which publishers work with authors and designers to shape text and image for specific audiences. You'll cover issues, principles and practices related to the commissioning, concept development and packaging of a wide range of publications across digital and print platforms: from academic to children’s books, illustrated nonfiction to social media content marketing. The module stresses the importance of determining the strategic direction of a publisher's list, the publisher's relationship with content creators, an understanding of the zeitgeist or cultural context, and the need for quality control in managing editorial projects. Workshops enable you to experiment and develop the practical skills that you'll need when working in a publishing environment, such as copywriting, blurb writing, digital marketing, proposal development and project management, communicating with different audiences and pitching. Visiting industry specialists will contribute specialist insights and case studies.
View the full module definitionThis module will help you gain a broad understanding of the complexity of the contemporary publishing landscape in a national and international context. At the heart of the publishing business is the acquisition and creative exploitation of copyrights. We'll examine the importance of contracts and rights, and diversity and inclusivity in underpinning successful businesses, as well as the role of the literary agent in managing fiction and nonfiction authors' careers. You'll explore the variety of strategies employed by publishers to successfully find an audience for their products in a competitive and fast-moving media environment. This module will introduce you to marketing, literary festivals, sales, bookselling, production, distribution, audio books and translation. Visiting industry specialists will contribute specialist insights and case studies.
View the full module definitionThis module covers issues, principles and practices related to the design, production and distribution of publishing products and services in a variety of formats and on various platforms. It will introduce you to the processes and technologies used to transform a manuscript or data file into a print or digital publication suitable for audiences in local and international markets. It will also give you an understanding of the project management tools and methods that can be applied to ensure that the process is effected in a timely and cost-effective manner. You'll learn how to plan, organise and coordinate the development and production of a publishing project, applying the transferable skills of scheduling and budgeting. Seminars are used to communicate and analyse aspects of the production process. Workshops enable you to learn practical skills that you will need to understand when working in a publishing environment. Using industry-standard practices, you'll learn how to take a project from initial briefing through to its distribution. Workshops will cover specific production requirements for print and digital products and services. There may be an opportunity to visit a printing works or publishing house.
View the full module definitionIn this industry-focused module you'll have the opportunity to be supported in an individual or collaborative publishing project. This might be a self-initiated project which enables you to explore questions around the industry (e.g. relating to innovation, diversity, reaching audiences, bestsellers, company archives e.g. CUP) or where you propose and create an original creative brief (e.g. for developing a publication/social media content strategy to promote awareness of a specific Sustainable Development Goal for a third-sector/NPO organisation) or a project working directly with an organisation (e.g. a publishing house, other creative industries) on a live brief (e.g. analysing book sales data and published materials as R&D for a new book series). It might be a cross-school/course project with or without an external organisation. The aim is for you to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around you and your interests and consider how your publishing skills might be applied in real world contexts. After a series of informative workshops, you'll work independently on your project with the support of your module tutor. Workshops will cover project management and the presentation of your work in various formats and working with external organisations. You'll also learn how to present yourself professionally through a targeted short CV and industry bio.
View the full module definitionThis module gives you the opportunity to carry out a significant in-depth investigation in your final trimester. This can take the form of either a dissertation about a contemporary or historical industry issue or topic, or a creative publishing project about digital innovation or involving working with a publisher. These options are deliberately flexible to enable you to focus on a project which brings together your learning on the course, your creative and professional interests, and engages with your future career goals. The module supports you through teaching sessions and resources in research skills and proposal development. You'll be allocated a specialist tutor to support you through the research, development, planning, and writing up of your project. This project will usually start in May and be submitted in September, but discussions about possible topics can happen earlier in the year to give you time to think your ideas through carefully. Additionally, there will be specialist publishing careers support for CVs and a personal branding workshop.
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