106-212 Principles of Editing and Publishing

A quota of 160 students applies to this subject. Students must consult the Department of English for application forms.

Usually 25 points of first year English, including completion of the first year creative writing prerequisites of 106-186 Creative Writing: Autofictions (or its equivalent) and/or 760-101 Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice. This subject is available at second year level to Bachelor of Creative Arts students who have completed all first year BCA Creative Writing requirements.

Through seminar-workshops and lectures from industry specialists such as publishers, designers, authors, editors, students will gain a basic knowledge of the range of skills involved in professional writing, editing, book design and production. The subject has six major components: copyright, contracts and libel; structural and stylistic editing; the 'nuts and bolts' of line editing, covering 'house style' and aspects of grammar and punctuation; proofreading; design, production and marketing; and ethics - misrepresentation, plagiarism and broader questions of author responsibility.

• be able to critically analyse a text with reference to its particular aims;

• be able to negotiate productively with a variety of authors;

• develop an understanding of the cultural and ethical contexts in which book publishing occurs;

• be able to contribute to class discussions.

Written work totalling 4000 words including an analysis of a publication 25% (due early in semester), a letter to an author 40% (due mid-semester) and a reflective essay 35% (due at the end of semester). Students must attend a minimum of 75% of scheduled classes to receive credit for this subject.