52694 Publishing Cultures
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10051 Creative Writing Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09477 48cp Writing and Publishing Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09489 48cp Writing and Publishing Major
Anti-requisite(s): 54074 Writing Laboratory AND 58313 Writing Laboratory
Description
This subject offers an overview of the contemporary Australian publishing market. Students learn how to identify different genres and subgenres – such as literary fiction, speculative fiction, memoir – and approach editing in accordance with expectations of various readerships. Students engage with conventional and reimagined forms of written texts as cultural and commercial objects, including the book, the literary journal and online and digital publications. Theory is put into practice through student-initiated publishing projects that enable students to develop skills in areas including commissioning, editing, text design, curation, project management, marketing, social media strategy, cross-platform and transmedia promotion, distribution and the economics of publishing.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Identify the roles of author and editor in the editorial relationship |
|---|---|
| b. | Complete production and publication processes |
| c. | Apply structural and line editing skills |
| d. | Demonstrate cultural competence when working with Indigenous authors and texts |
| e. | Develop awareness of the significance of anthologies and literary journals in Australian literary culture |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
- Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- Apply knowledge of Indigenous issues in professional practices and engage responsibly in communicating with and about Indigenous people and communities (4.1)
- Analyse and act ethically in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society (5.1)
- Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
This is a hands-on learning subject in a simulated work environment. Students work in groups in face-to-face classes, supported by online learning materials, to create a literary journal. Students take on production, editorial and marketing roles within their groups to help achieve timely completion of their group’s literary journal over the session. Each student experiences the editing process from the perspective of the editor and the author. The journal is published online and becomes a folio artifact for students to demonstrate their writing, editing and publishing skills. On completion, students will have developed their knowledge of stages of the publishing process including commissioning, editing, design, marketing, publicity, and distribution. Formative feedback is available before week 4 through an online quiz, testing skills and comprehension.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Commissioning task
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 500 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Structural and line edit
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Edited manuscript 2–3 pages and author query 500 words | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Digital anthology and reflective statement
| Objective(s): | b, c and e | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Journal PDF + 250 word statement The extent of the journal will depend on class sizes, but in a class of 28 students, split into two groups, journals will total approximately 21,750 words (14x1500 word creative pieces plus a 500 word foreword and a 250 word blurb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Readings will be available via UTS Library, through Canvas
References
Australia Council for the Arts (2019) Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts (retrieved 4 July 2021 from https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/workspace/uploads/files/protocols-for-using-first-nati-5f72716d09f01.pdf)
Brown, R. King, D., (2004). Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Harper Collins.
Commonwealth of Australia (2021) Style Manual (retrieved 4 July 2021 from https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/)
Flann, E. Hill, B. Wang, L., (2014). The Australian Editing Handbook. Wiley.
Indyk, I. (2020). ‘Publishing from the Provinces.’ Sydney Review of Books.
Macquarie Dictionary Seventh Edition
Manion, A., Weber, M. (2019) Book Publishing in Australia. Monash University Press.
Martire, J. (2021). ‘Amplifying Silenced Voices Through Micro- and Small-Press Publishing’. Publishing Research Quarterly 37(2). DOI:10.1007/s12109-021-09797-7
Menzies-Pike, C. (2015) ‘Writing, Editing: An Interview with Ellen van Neerven’. Sydney Review of Books.
White, E.B, Strunk, W., (1999). The Elements of Style. Pearson Education.
Wood, C. (2015). ‘I’ve had my Vision.’ Sydney Review of Books.