HUM7113 - Writing as a Profession

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

demonstrate a professional knowledge of markets for creative writing;
demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the publishing industry, including the ability to present work in an appropriate form for publication;
demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the working practices and processes of professional, published writers;
display an advanced level of writing proficiency.

Content:

This module will be built upon a series of talks by visiting writers and professionals from the book industry as well as sessions led by the programme tutors. Through a series of lectures, discussions, seminars, practical exercises and directed private study, students will gain an insight into aspects of publishing, markets for writing, and presentation of work, which they will be able to put into practice with their own work. Throughout the module, students will be expected to write a portfolio containing a creative element and work on at least two aspects of the writing profession pertinent to their own interests and ambitions, the topics to be decided in conjunction with the Module Co-ordinator.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Weekly talks by visiting speakers followed by discussion, and seminars led by the programme tutors. The visiting speakers will include published writers, literary agents and editors from medium to large publishers and small independent presses. Their sessions will provide students with an insight into the publishing industry, the working relationship between writers and those in the book trade, and the processes by which a writer’s manuscript ends up in book (or e-book) form in the hands of a reader. Supplementing and complementing these visitor sessions will be a series of seminars led by the programme tutors, focusing in detail on key practical aspects of the writing profession. Topics will include: the public reading and performance of work; producing ‘pitch’ packages (eg. synopsis, writing sample and covering letter/CV) for agents and editors; use of the internet and social media as a tool for self-promotion and marketing of work; and the presentation of manuscripts to professional standards. Other topics will include historic and contemporary issues and developments in publishing and bookselling. Seminar information and discussion will be augmented by practical exercises and assignments where appropriate.

Lectures and seminars x (12)
Contact hours: 24
Intended Group size: 24

Guided independent study
Hours: 276

Further details relating to assessment
The portfolio will comprise creative writing on a given theme and at least two other written elements, to include, for example, a report on an aspect of the publishing industry and a component relating to the student’s preparation for writing professionally. The content of the portfolio will be agreed in consultation with the module co-ordinator.

Assessment: