The Publishing World

Learning Outcomes

The syllabus is in five parts: In part one, we will address some basic questions: What is trade publishing? Who is who in the world of trade publishing: the author, the agent, the editor, the publisher? This first part of the module will give you a practical understanding of the different kinds of jobs available in the world of trade publishing, and the responsibilities attached to those jobs. This will involve an opportunity to scrutinize a standard publishing contract. In part two, we will turn to some more aesthetic questions: How is interest generated through design and branding? As well as learning about best practice, this part of the module involves the opportunity to choose and discuss individual case studies. You will consider some of the great successes (and failures!) in the history of book design and publisher brand recognition. In part three, we will address some more strategic matters: How are buyers attracted through marketing, publicity, and price setting? In this section of the module, you will learn about the economy of the trade publishing. Readings will allow you to understand the book publishing industry in different places, at different times: but the primary focus of this section of the module will be on book publishing in the current global economy. In part four, we turn to the law: What is intellectual property? What is copyright? Who owns what, where and when? In this section of the module, you will learn about global, regional and national laws and conventions that formally regulate who can publish what, where, and when. In part five, we broaden our terms of debate to ask: What else "regulates" the publishing world? In this final section of the module, you will have the chance to consider some broad ethical, moral and political debates that bear upon the publishing world, including the impact of "cancel culture"; of fan fiction; of artificial intelligence; and of online open access platforms on traditional ideas of authorship, and on the book industry more broadly.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, and individual consultations. Learning methods include independent study, group discussion, and formative presentations.