Course of Study
Fall 2014
WR510 Editorial Theory: A
The role of the author in relation to the text has been much debated in literary theory and criticism However, this course asks the less-often considered, but equally crucial question, “What is the role of the editor in relation to the text?” In its variety of possible answers to this question, editorial theory affects every text you have ever read. This is especially true when the editor is confronted with the practical problem of preserving or transmitting past texts to contemporary readers, often in media or languages different than those in which the text was originally composed. But it is also relevant to contemporary texts and their living authors, as editorial theory helps us think about tricky situations involving Western editors of non-Western texts, male editors of female texts, and so forth.
WR561 Book Editing: A-
Provides a comprehensive course in professional book editing, including editorial management, acquisitions editing, substantive/developmental editing, and copyediting. Issues specific to both fiction and nonfiction books will be covered.
WR575 Publishing Lab: A
Perform the work of a real publishing house, from acquiring manuscripts to selling books. Gain publishing experience by participating in the various departments of a student-staffed publishing house, Ooligan Press.
Winter 2015
WR560 Introduction to Book Publishing: A
Provides a detailed overview of the publishing process, organized around the division of labor, including introductions to contemporary American publishing, issues of intellectual commerce, copyright law, publishing contracts, book editing, book design and production, book marketing and distribution, and bookselling. Based on work in mock publishing companies, students prepare portfolios of written documents, i.e., book proposals, editorial guidelines, design and production standards, and marketing plans. Guest speakers from the publishing industry and field trips provide exposure to the industry.
WR571 Publishing Software: A-
Provides a strong base in the software used in the book publishing industry, focusing on Adobe InDesign. Also explores Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat, as well as XHTML and e-book design. The class considers audience expectations through a range of hands-on design projects.
WR575 Publishing Lab: B+
Spring 2015
WR510 Skills in Digital Publishing: A
Skills in Digital Publishing teaches the hands-on skills of digital publishing. The course will build on an established understanding of basic text-based languages like HTML, CSS, and XML. Students will be introduced to new tools like iBooks Author, oXygen, and Sigil.
WR562 Book Design & Production: B+
Comprehensive course in professional book design and production. Issues specific to the design of fiction and nonfiction books in a variety of genres and markets will be covered, including the applications of both old and new technologies in design and production.
WR575 Publishing Lab: A
Fall 2015
WR510 Transmedia Marketing for Publishing: A
Media is ever-changing, and that evolution only seems to be accelerating. Traditional media, new media, social media—these paradigms are now an amalgam of multi-platform media consumption referred to as “transmedia.” Transmedia is storytelling across multiple forms of media with each element making distinctive contributions to a viewer/user/player’s understanding of the story world. By using different media formats, it attempts to create entry-points through which consumers can become immersed in a story world. This class looks at how these transmedia methodologies can be applied to market and extend stories for the book publishing industry.
WR563 Book Marketing: A
Comprehensive course in professional book marketing. Issues specific to the marketing of fiction and nonfiction books in a variety of genres and markets will be covered. Students will do market research, produce marketing plans, write press releases, write advertising copy, and develop related marketing materials.
WR574 Publishing Studio: A
Perform the work of a real publishing house, from acquiring manuscripts to selling books. Gain publishing experience by participating in the various departments of a student-staffed publishing house, Ooligan Press.
Winter 2016
WR573 Developmental Editing: A
Explores the relationship between an editor, a writer, and the work in the process of developmental editing—also known as global, substantive, or comprehensive editing. Examines historically significant editor/author relations, how the editorial process and relationships have changed over time, and how editorial expectations shift based on the expectations of the publisher, the constantly changing global marketplace, and the introduction of new technologies.
WR575 Publishing Lab: A
Spring 2016: Courses in Progress
WR564 Business of Book Publishing A
Comprehensive course in the business of book publishing. Topics covered include publications management, accounting, book production, distribution, and bookselling. Students learn how a variety of agents, including publishers, publishing services companies, distributors, wholesalers, bookstores, etc., are organized and function in the marketplace.