Edinburgh Napier University

The module comprises a taught programme in trimester 2, which covers advanced literature reviewing, framing and generating research questions, methodological issues (including reflexivity), qualitative research methods, critical analysis, scholarly writing and presentation. Students undertake independent study under supervision to produce a 15 000-word dissertation on a topic appropriate to the student's programme of study (Trimester 2).

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You will develop an understanding of the creative and business aspects of the fiction market. The growth and current prominence of fiction publishing in the global publishing industry and the significance of copyright, rights sales and legal relationships will be explored. You will be taken through the different stages in the publishing process for fiction and analyse the principles and practices involved. Derivative works, for example, translations, will represent a key element in understanding the use of rights. You will critically examine the development of editorial policy, budgeting, marketing, author development, and design and illustration. You will undertake marketing research, publicity and promotional campaign appraisal and market analysis. You will explore commercial marketing strategies of modern fiction publishers. A unique focus of this module is its consideration of the ethical vis a vis the commercial realities of fiction publishing.

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Many companies expect students to have experience of working within the publishing industry before applying for their first position. The aim of this module therefore, is to enable students to consolidate and apply the academic study which they have undertaken in the first trimester of this programme and provide the opportunity to experience the commercial realities of industry. The module also aims to introduce and prepare students to experience some of those elements in professional life and employment which cannot be taught in an academic environment.

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You will critically explore the way in which publishing has developed as an industry from the time of the creation of the first printing press until the present day to contextualise the business and management structures of the industry. You will examine the size, structure, and organisation of different contemporary publishing sectors. You will learn about different publishing business models and other management theories to examine the internal structures of large and small publishing companies as well as their position in the wider media sector. Further, you will reflect on the impact of digitisation on the publishing industry and how these disruptions together with different business models affect the dynamics between publishers, authors, retailers, and various other stakeholders. Lastly, you will examine the broader societal, political, ethical, and regulatory contexts of the publishing industry and learn about the importance of intellectual property rights in an evolving multinational and multimedia context.

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You will learn how to identify and evaluate markets, publishing priorities and resources; develop and maintain a publishing list; collaborate with authors, contributors, developers and providers of material for publication; manage editorial projects; control editorial quality; edit texts and images; proofread text and collate corrections; estimate and control production costs; assess the value of production and publication schedules. You will learn about page layout, typography, image reproduction, and saving and transferring documents according to a specified brief, ready for publication and presentation.

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