52696 Professional Pathways in Writing and Publishing
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): 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10051 Creative Writing Major OR 30 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09477 48cp Writing and Publishing Major OR 30 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 explores the job market in the publishing industry and the economies of creative writing. Critical insights are developed into contemporary issues in the global labour market in publishing, and students’ own future working lives. Opportunities are provided for students to develop an independent project with academic supervisors and industry partners, applying the knowledge and insights gained through their course to approach and address real-world problems. Students engage with current issues in writing and publishing such as creative and affective labour; innovative publishing models; digital vs traditional publishing; the book as commodity vs cultural artifact; alternate economies; entrepreneurship, and sustainable creative practice. Through structured activities, students also develop practical insights into their own transferable workplace skills.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Situate the activities of writing and publishing within professional, social, cultural and creative contexts |
|---|---|
| b. | Synthesise material from a range of sources including scholarly material, literary and cultural commentary, interviews, surveys, and social media |
| c. | Critically reflect on writing and publishing careers within broader political and cultural contexts of writing and publishing |
| d. | Identify and connect skills acquired across the Writing & Publishing major with professional practice in the writing and publishing industries |
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)
- Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
- Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- 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 professionally focused subject allows students to build their independent research skills. Students work on projects facilitated by the subject coordinator and by their tutors, driven by questions related to current issues in writing and publishing. Online content scaffolds the project design process and provides further resources. Some projects may require students to spend time in workplaces conducting field work. Students receive formative feedback from academic advisers on their topic before week 4. Regular classes and brief student presentations on their progress allow students to engage in peer review, meet milestones, and complete their projects.
Content (topics)
Students are introduced to contemporary debates and issues in local and global creative writing and publishing labour markets. Students build on their knowledge of the writing and publishing industries accrued throughout their Major in Writing & Publishing and apply this knowledge to real-world problems raised by industry experts. Students are introduced to current research in writing and publishing to support their own projects, and to develop their understanding of design in writing and publishing across the arts, cultural, creative, and publishing sectors. In presenting on their progress, students have the opportunity to develop their own creative leadership, while broadening their insights through exposure to others’ findings. Students develop skills in professional communication, preparing a report that will be submitted as their final assignment. Students build on their knowledge of the publishing industry and deepen insights into how their personal goals and interests intersect with the broader industry, and what their contribution as writing and publishing graduates might be to the Australian and international literary, arts, and publishing communities.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Project Brief
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1000 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Presentation on progress
| Objective(s): | b and d | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||
| Length: | 5 minutes (with accompanying one page handout or 3 panel PowerPoint) | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Industry Project
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2500 words or negotiated equivalent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Readings will be provided via the UTS library through Canvas
References
Australian Society of Authors, (2020). Inquiry into Creative and Cultural Industries and Institutions. https://www.asauthors.org/documents/item/719
Bowden, J. (2011) Writing A Report, 9th Edition. Little Brown.
Forge, S. (2018). Australian Publishing’s Pay Problem. Kill Your Darlings. https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/australian-publishings-pay-problem/
Leane, J., (2020). No Longer Malleable Stuff. Overland. https://overland.org.au/previous-issues/issue-241/feature-no-longer-malleable-stuff/
Manion, A., Weber, M., Day, K., (2017). Publishing Means Business: Australian Perspectives. Monash University Publishing.
Moorhouse, F. (2007). Is Writing a Way of Life. Meanjin. https://meanjin.com.au/essays/is-writing-a-way-of-life/
Reid, M. (2018) Report Writing 2nd Edition. Red Globe Press.
Stinson, E. (2013). By the Book?: Contemporary Publishing in Australia. Monash University Publishing.
Throsby, D., Zwar, J., Longden, T. (2015). Book Authors and their Changing Circumstances: Survey Method and Results. Macquarie Economics Research Papers.
Van Loone, J. (2021). On Value and Australian Books and Writing. Sydney Review of Books. https://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/essay/on-value-australian-books-writing/
Wheeler Centre. (2020) State of the (Writing) Nation: Maria Tumarkin. The Wheeler Centre https://www.wheelercentre.com/broadcasts/state-of-the-writing-nation-maria-tumarkin
Wood, C. (2016, Aug 13). ‘The writer’s epiphany: I can pinpoint precise lessons from other authors and their work’ The Guardian: Australian Edition https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/13/the-writers-epiphany-i-can-pinpoint-precise-lessons-from-other-authors-and-their-work?CMP=soc_568
Wood, C. (2016). The Writer’s Room. Allen & Unwin.
Zinsser, W. (2019) On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Non-Fiction 30th Anniversary Edition. HarperCollins US.
Zwar, J., (2016). Disruption and innovation in the Australian book industry: Case studies of trade and education publishers. Macquarie Economics Research Papers.