Advanced Book Publishing (PUBL90020)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- Have developed a knowledge of the structure of the markets for published books and the broad strategies involved in building a list
- Be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of the major parties involved in the manuscript acquisition process
- Understand the contractual basis of publishing and the management of subsidiary rights
- Have developed an analytical and critical understanding of contemporary publishing management practice
- Have developed their publishing production skills in a project-centred, flexible and collaborative environment.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- High-level written and oral communication skills through contribution to class discussions, the completion of exercises and assignments, wide reading on issues of contemporary publishing processes, and exposure to the protocols of industry practice
- A capacity for effective teamwork through group discussions and collaborative exercises
- Skills in information technology literacy and understanding of information management through completion of exercises and assignments
- Skills in research, including the use of online as well as print-based materials in the course of exercises and assignments
- Skills in time management and planning through managing workloads for recommended reading, tutorial presentations and assessment requirements
- A capacity for critical analysis through engagement and critique of a range of publishing strategies.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUBL90002 | Editorial English |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUBL90003 | The Contemporary Publishing Industry | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Appraisal of a book proposal
| Early in the teaching period | 25% |
A book proposal with full costing
| Mid semester | 25% |
A group proposal for developing a publishing list
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Katherine Day Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 48 hours: 2x2-hour seminars, taught weekly Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
340 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 31 January 2024