Publishing Media

This module explores the strategic role of the editor within the publishing process and the knowledge and skills required for the development of new projects, whether in print or digital form.

This module follows the workflow of a publishing product in the digital environment. This is a practical and technical module and also covers the basics of delivering print and digital outputs for multi-platform delivery. Students will learn how to communicate information in a responsive platform further developing software and digital asset management skills.

This module provides a systematic examination of the key concepts and disciplines of marketing and their relationship and relevance to the products of publishing. It includes coverage of the marketing mix, consumer behaviour, segmentation, targeting and positioning, and elements of market research including SEO.

The Dissertation or Major Project is the defining and essential component for the award of the MA degree. It is a major in-depth investigation of a subject, theme or issue significant to the study of journalism through research and extended written work (15,000 words or equivalent for major projects).

The Major Project is a practical application of technologies, commerce or enterprise and results in a defined artefact and an analytical report (5,000 words) that places the work in the context of contemporary journalism. For example, your work may be a project with a focus on the practical elements of either a printed or electronic publication. Alternatively, your artefact might be a business proposal for a new web platform or media start-up.

This module explores the development of the market sector and the current shape and business practices of publishing for children and young adults. Topics include picture books, co-editions and translatability; the sector's links to other leisure industries, merchandising and content reuse; editing and censorship; age ranging and gatekeeping; literacy and reading campaigns; and promotion.

Fiction and non-fiction publishing are perennially popular business models within the publishing world, and the globalisation and digitisation of the consumer book landscape have only enhanced one of the most dynamic and creative sectors of the industry. Within this module, you will explore the range and depth of pitfalls and possibilities intrinsic to this ever-changing aspect of publishing. You will gain an understanding of the importance of verticals in consumer publishing and as well as the elasticity of the role of the author.

This module provides you with an understanding of the nature of scholarly communication and the current debates surrounding topics such as research funding, open access and peer review. The convergence of books and journals in this area and the emergence of new publishing and business models to suit the market are investigated along with the development of digital solutions.

In this module, you'll hone your skills in the craft and technical processes of developing audio narratives into podcasting, radio and audiobooks. You will investigate the ongoing processes and developments of media technologies and crucially, evaluate how they intersect; how audiences and readers connect with stories across developing and emerging channels of communication. By the end of this module you will be fully developed as a future-proof practitioner.

Topics covered in this module include:

• Evaluating the influence multimedia has had on broadcast journalism and book publishing
• Evaluating the differences between audiobooks, radio, and podcasting
• Mass audiences and the commercialisation of the political
• Copyright and production editing
• Producing output for different audiences
• Developing and applying audio storytelling skills
• How to record and edit compelling scenes for audio storytelling platform needs and delivery.

This module offers you the opportunity to formulate a programme of study with assessment criteria that is based on work experience in the publishing or closely related industries. This enables you to devise, negotiate, organise and carry out reflective analysis of a period of work or a specific project according to a set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria in collaboration with the module leader and a supervisor. The programme of study is aimed at practical industry-based experiences and may include, for example, reporting on practical exploration of an issue of relevance to the publishing industry; or developing a practical project (eg website, newsletter, promotion materials). Critical reflection on your own work and on that of others is an integral aspect of the module.

This module introduces the management of rights in the fast-moving world of global publishing. As well as looking at the acquisition of rights from the author, and the different rights contracted, the module covers the rights function within the publishing house and its responsibility for licensing a range of products.

In this module, you'll discover that crafting and telling a story are central to all forms of publishing, and increasingly key in all industries worldwide. You do not need any prior writing experience; as an aspiring editor or writer, you'll hone your skills. You'll examine and practise the techniques involved in writing and shaping narratives across all forms of fiction and non-fiction. You'll uncover the craft of storytelling within the publishing industry and the process of publishing. You'll also explore written stories within the broader world of IP and the entertainment business.

Topics covered in this module include:

• The writer’s toolkit
• Writing from theme to character and plot
• Writing genre and non-fiction
• Story structure, adaptation, self editing
• Working with an editor
• Fiction and non-fiction submission packages
• Understanding your changing audience

This module examines the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the publishing industry. It begins by adopting a wide remit of both ‘CSR’ and ‘publishing’ and seeks to understand and critique how the industry incorporates CSR into their remits and how this is reflected in their practice. Grouped thematically, the topics on this module explore the relationship between the growing value of CSR more widely in society and the way that the publishing industry is responding.