57683 Publishing Workshop
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 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 57053 Book Publishing and Marketing AND 57603 Publishing Workshop
Description
Recent technologies and digital practices are blurring traditional industry roles and transforming the ways publishers commission and position books in the marketplace. Through collaborative activities that simulate publishing processes, students gain a critical and practical understanding of publishing culture, key concepts and practices driving change, and new opportunities to reach audiences. This subject equips students to adapt to changing industry roles, evolve their own entrepreneurial projects, and negotiate a professional career as an editor, publisher or writer.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Produce high-quality publishing materials that demonstrate professionalism, creativity and market awareness. |
|---|---|
| b. | Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify and address issues related to publishing in a complex and changing industry context. |
| c. | Engage in critical reflection on the social, cultural and ethical implications of publishing decisions. |
| d. | Collaborate effectively within a team to develop and communicate publishing strategies. |
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:
- Deploy flexible creative practices, tools and dispositions to confidently navigate dynamic professional contexts (1.1)
- Approach creative practice through deep engagement with a range of forms, traditions, processes, and generic possibilities (2.1)
- Apply critical understanding of the intercultural possibilities of creative and professional practice in local, national and global contexts (3.1)
- Contribute in a confident and informed manner to conversations about cultural and creative practice and industry and identify opportunities for cultural/creative leadership (5.1)
- Convey complex ideas clearly and effectively in professional contexts and to specialist and general audiences across a range of media formats (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Publishing Workshop runs like an internship as students undertake real-world publishing activities, working to an industry brief to produce authentic materials under the supervision of academic staff with industry experience.
In face-to-face classes, students participate in active learning through group discussions and in individual and collaborative exercises that are authentic, embodying professional publishing standards and practices. Face-to-face learning is supplemented by asynchronous lectures and readings provided via the subject site in Canvas. Students engage with this material in preparation for classes. Students are able to continue to work collaboratively via Teams and online discussion boards.
Students receive summative feedback on authentic assignments that simulate publishing activities, which are presented in class and submitted to Canvas. Our industry partners assure activities and learnings are relevant and realistic, while the academic staff member assures subject?learning?outcomes are met, including diversity and equity outcomes. Policies and procedures are informed by the FASS WIL (Work Integrated Learning) team, who assist us in drawing up an agreement to ensure roles and responsibilities for industry partners, academic staff and students are clear.
Content (topics)
Students experience all stages of the pre-production processes of book?publishing, such as manuscript assessment,?publishing?plans, production schedules, book costing, marketing plans and relationship building. Course learning covers the structure of the Australian publishing industry and changing roles within it, design, digital publishing, and international rights. Students develop their knowledge in the context of further learning about contemporary issues in publishing such as sustainability, accessibility and representation, the future of the book, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Minimum requirements
Students must pass all assessment tasks to pass this subject, as each task assesses unique subject learning objectives.
Required texts
E-readings will be provided via the Canvas subject site.
References
Australia Council. (2002, updated 2017 & 2019). Protocols for Using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts. https://australiacouncil.gov.au/investment-and-development/protocols-and-resources/protocols-for-using-first-nations-cultural-and-intellectual-property-in-the-arts/
Baverstock, A. and Bowen, S. (2019). How to Market Books (6th edition). Routledge.
Bookpeople.org.au (2022). Bookpeople Papers: Towards a Sustainable Bookselling Future. https://www.bookpeople.org.au/images/BookPeople_Papers_Sustainability.pdf
Chowdhury, R. (2020). Hard to Be What You Can't See: Diversity within Australian Publishing (2019-2020 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship Report). Australian Publishers Association. https://www.publishers.asn.au/common/Uploaded%20files/APA%20Resources/Research/BDEF/BDEF%202019-2020%20Report%20-%20Radhiah%20Chowdhury.pdf
Clark, G. and Phillips, A. (2020). Inside Book Publishing. Routledge.
Institute of Professional Editors (IPED) (2023) Books Beyond Barriers: a practical guide to inclusive publishing https://www.iped-editors.org/resources-for-editors/books-without-barriers/
Dane, A. and Weber, M. (Eds.) (2021). Post-Digital Book Cultures: Australian Perspectives. Monash University Publishing.
Hall, F. (2022). The Business of Digital Publishing (2nd edition). Routledge.
Ratcliffe, J. (2019). Instinct, Input and Insight: Reader-centricity in publishing (Copyright Agency Publisher Fellowship Report). Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Sadokierski, Z. (2019). Chapter 10: 'Beyond the Codex: Book Design in the Digital Age'. In Baker, D.J., Brien D. L. and Webb J. (Eds), Publishing and Culture. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Shafer, L. (2019). The Short Sweet Art of Blurb Writing. In Patti, L. (Ed.) Writing About Screen Media (1st Edition). Routledge.
Stinson, E. (Ed.) (2013). By the Book? Contemporary Publishing in Australia. Monash University Publishing.