Module Information

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

Estimated Student Workload
Contact time: 16 .5 hours
Preparation for workshops and seminars: 64 hours
Preparation of essay: 120 hours

The structure of this module will depend on the number of students registered and the nature of the assignments chosen by the students. The following structure is typical.
Weeks 1-5. Five invited lecturers, all industry professionals, will discuss their roles with the students and, where appropriate, carry out workshop exercises with them. These lecturers may include
• A novelist
• A literary agent
• An editor at a major publishing house
• A small-press publisher
• The editor of a literary journal
• A blogger or online editor
• A radio playwright or producer.
Weeks 6-8. Students will be formed into groups based on the affinities of their proposed projects, and will give joint presentations on aspects of the publishing industry connected with the projects. These will be discussed by the class as whole.
Week 9. Students will receive one-to-one tutorials on their projects (30 minutes each) with the module tutor or an additional tutor engaged for the purpose.