Publishing

This module allows you to apply the skills acquired in your taught modules in a major supervised independent investigation of an aspect of publishing, or the development of a business case and strategy for your own publishing project, in collaboration with an external partner organisation.

This taught module will serve as an introduction to the world of publishing. It will examine the history and business context of publishing industries and give an overview of publishing roles, processes, formats and platforms. You will examine the journey of a publication, while demonstrating a critical understanding of current developments, future opportunities, and legal and ethical issues in publishing. 

This taught module will give an overview of strategies employed by publishers to sell and market their products.  
 
You will develop the key skills necessary for the sales and marketing of new books, including audience research, market assessment, consumer behaviour, targeted marketing and negotiating with buyers in order to maximise sales and profit. It will also examine the key legal and ethical issues in print and digital publishing, introducing the relevant aspects of intellectual property (IP) and the acquisition and exploitation of IP rights across multiple platforms. You will become familiar with publishing contracts and the importance of subsidiary rights, and you'll consider legal questions as they relate to the publishing industry. 

This taught module will provide an in-depth understanding of the publishing journey, from commissioning and editorial to design and production. It will give you insights into the operations of book, magazine and digital publishers, enabling you to plan, produce and evaluate content for a variety of platforms.

This module will examine contemporary magazine publishing as a creative process, from idea to distribution. You will work in teams to create a pilot issue of a magazine title, considering legal and ethical, as well as creative aspects of magazine publishing.

This module will examine the creative, ethical and business aspects of publishing literature in translation. You will work collaboratively in small teams to develop an idea for a new translated book project and produce a number of publishing materials to form a small portfolio of work. 

This taught module will give an overview of the design and editorial history and practices of poetry publication. Students will collaborate in small teams to write, edit, produce and publish a chapbook of poetry, applying principles of book design, layout and marketing.

You will work collaboratively in small teams to develop an idea for a new children’s book and produce a number of publishing materials to form a small portfolio of work. The module will explore the creative, editorial and business aspects of writing, illustrating and publishing for children. 

The module will start with the background in children’s books including a short historical and critical survey of children’s writing and publishing to the present. The module will then focus on the current state of children’s publishing including contexts such as educational structures, age ranges, series fiction, crossover fiction, niche markets, gatekeepers and the importance of ‘pester power.’ You will take on a range of roles including that of illustrator and writer in order to experience all aspects of the creative process.