Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminars / Tutorials | 5 x 2-hour seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | A study of one particular aspect of the publishing industry. This could cover any of the topics examined in the seminars, or might be a case study of one particular press or specialist area - e.g. childrens book publishing, science fiction publishing or lesbian/gay publishing. Other appropriate topics may be addressed subject to the approval of the module tutor. Length: 5,000 words. Student involvement in discussion will be monitored and guided, but not formally assessed. | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmit any failed elements and/or make good any missing elements. Where this involves re-submission of work, a new topic must be selected. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. demonstrate their understanding of matters relating to the publishing process. An indicative list of topics might include the role of agent and editor; the responsibilities of the author, particularly with regard to the preparation and presentation of material; and the role of specialist and small press publishing;
2. demonstrate an ability to undertake relevant factual research;
3. engage in discussion, at an appropriate level, with representatives of the world of publishing.
Aims
This module is designed to ensure that those involved in the Creative Writing MA receive relevant and potentially useful information on the practice and processes of publishing.
Brief description
The aim of this module is to enhance students' awareness of the mechanics of publishing - the opportunities and constraints of the profession, the role of agent and editor in the publishing process and the responsibilities of the author, particularly with regard to the preparation and presentation of material. Visiting speakers from the publishing industry will contribute to the module and each session will be conducted as a seminar, with significant input from each speaker, but with students also participating in discussion. The module will cover important issues relating to the submission and editing of manuscripts, marketing, foreign rights, copyright and the role of booksellers.
Content
_Session 1: Getting published: the novelist's view
A successful literary novelist gives an account of his/her experience of the publishing process.
_Session 2: Getting published: the agent's view
A London agent explains the publishing process from his/her own viewpoint.
_Session 3: Getting published: the editor's view d
A literary fiction editor gives an account of the publishing process from his/her own viewpoint.
_Session 4: Small press poetry publishing
The editor of a small poetry press explains the workings of small press publishing.
_Session 5: Commercial poetry publishing
The editor of a commercial poetry press discusses the process of commercial poetry publishing and his own role in that process.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Yes: development of awareness of the role of IT in publishing Assessment: possibly, depending on subject of written work |
| Communication | Yes: the assessment will require extensive research |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Yes: interaction in group discussion and with convenor and specialist lecturers |
| Information Technology | Yes: see 3 |
| Personal Development and Career planning | No |
| Research skills | Yes: the assessment will require attention to practical issues of a broadly problematic nature |
| Team work | Yes: development of understanding both of the subject itself and the means of acquiring essential information |
Reading List
No specific set texts, but MA students receive a substantial advisory reading list at the beginning of the year. This includes reference works relevant to this module.
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7