Module Information
Module Identifier
WRM6620
Module Title
Writer as Professional
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Submission Portfolio 5000 Words | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Submission Portfolio 5000 Words | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the public-facing aspects of a writer's career
Work as part of a group to share ideas and provide peer-to-peer feedback.
Develop their writing in a professional and commercial context through submitting to literary agents and demonstrate an understanding of new markets.
Identify and deploy successful strategies for pitching and presenting work to a variety of audiences.
Brief description
This module equips students with a variety of skills to develop their work in a professional context. It addresses strategies for presenting work in public readings and events, while offering an introduction to the role of the creative writer as teacher and workshop leader. The module also explores opportunities for publication. An invited industry professional will offer an insight into the role of the agent and publisher, while workshops will examine a variety of markets and readerships. This module ensures students develop and can articulate practical transferable skills situated in a professional context.
Content
1. The Professional Writer
How can writers make the transition from student to professional? How do writers make a living? What kind of portfolio can writers develop? This introductory session will allow students to begin thinking of themselves as professionals in a creative writing context. It will discuss what it means to be a professional writer.
2. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world and the challenges of being a writer. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
3. The Literary Marketplace (The Pitch)
This session will examine the frameworks for submitting work to publishing professionals. Students will be given guidance on how to identify appropriate publishing opportunities, how to pitch to agents and publishers, and how to prepare a successful draft and synopsis of their work.
4. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
5. Creating an Anthology
This session will introduce students to the well-established MA Anthology. Students will have the opportunity to examine past anthologies before brainstorming ideas for the new edition. Discussion will focus on the submissions process, selection and editing, promotion and marketing, public events. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer for roles and a timetable for delivery will be agreed.
6. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
7. Public Readings
This session will examine the role of the public reading in the writer's career. It will look at the opportunities provided by literary festivals, libraries and bookshops. It will suggest potential promotion strategies for the emerging writer. This session will usually include a visit from a mental health professional. Students will start working, in pairs, on their mock-interviews in Week 10.
8. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
9. Creating a Portfolio
This session will explore a variety of opportunities for creating a professional portfolio, including journalism, reviewing, critical essays, ghost writing, broadcasting, copyediting and proofreading. Students will consider the ways they can adapt their writing styles for different audiences. This session will usually include a visit from a Careers Service professional.
10. Presentations
Students will get the chance to be interviewed about their work by their own peers. Having benefited from attending the public speaking session, and having watched writers being interviewed throughout the term, students will have the opportunity to practice their skills. The mock-interviews will not be assessed.
How can writers make the transition from student to professional? How do writers make a living? What kind of portfolio can writers develop? This introductory session will allow students to begin thinking of themselves as professionals in a creative writing context. It will discuss what it means to be a professional writer.
2. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world and the challenges of being a writer. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
3. The Literary Marketplace (The Pitch)
This session will examine the frameworks for submitting work to publishing professionals. Students will be given guidance on how to identify appropriate publishing opportunities, how to pitch to agents and publishers, and how to prepare a successful draft and synopsis of their work.
4. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
5. Creating an Anthology
This session will introduce students to the well-established MA Anthology. Students will have the opportunity to examine past anthologies before brainstorming ideas for the new edition. Discussion will focus on the submissions process, selection and editing, promotion and marketing, public events. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer for roles and a timetable for delivery will be agreed.
6. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
7. Public Readings
This session will examine the role of the public reading in the writer's career. It will look at the opportunities provided by literary festivals, libraries and bookshops. It will suggest potential promotion strategies for the emerging writer. This session will usually include a visit from a mental health professional. Students will start working, in pairs, on their mock-interviews in Week 10.
8. Interview with a Writer (or industry professional)
These sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn more about the different pathways to becoming a writer or a professional in the field. Guest speakers will be interviewed about their professional journey through the publishing world. Students will then have the opportunity to ask the writers/ professionals/ publishers various questions about their experiences.
9. Creating a Portfolio
This session will explore a variety of opportunities for creating a professional portfolio, including journalism, reviewing, critical essays, ghost writing, broadcasting, copyediting and proofreading. Students will consider the ways they can adapt their writing styles for different audiences. This session will usually include a visit from a Careers Service professional.
10. Presentations
Students will get the chance to be interviewed about their work by their own peers. Having benefited from attending the public speaking session, and having watched writers being interviewed throughout the term, students will have the opportunity to practice their skills. The mock-interviews will not be assessed.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinating with others | Students will be required to give feedback to their peers on work produced for class. |
| Digital capability | Word-processing and digital presentation tools will be required for workshop tasks and assignments, as well as digital resources for research. |
| Professional communication | Ability to work in teams and to give feedback to the class. Ability to understand how to communicate with the public, and to provide constructive feedback. Students will engage in class discussion with peers/tutor and with the professional visitor. |
| Real world sense | Understanding and practising public engagement, as well as being able to situate themselves as writers in a professional environment. |
| Reflection | Responding to the feedback of peers and to work successfully in a group. Demonstrating the ability to undertake independent research into different areas of professional writing. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Practical proficiency in creative writing; Ability to reflect on their professional development. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7