PUB201 - Foundations of Publishing

Course description

The Foundations of Publishing course covers the following topics:

The Business of Publishing
Instructor: David Pallai
The Business of Publishing addresses the range of business practices in the publishing industry. Students are provided with an understanding of: the underlying business structures governing the book and magazine publishing industries; changes in publishing as a result of the mergers, and international markets; online publishing, and new technologies including e-books, e-publishing models, and the future of electronic delivery of intellectual property; copyright law, libel, and media ethics; the relationship and tension between the creative processes of publishing and the generation of sales revenue; the management structure of publishing companies; and publishing decision-making processes. The course discusses the revenues, costs and financial practices of book and magazine publishers.

Publication Design & Print Production Strategies
Instructor: Stephanie Torta
This module introduces graphic design in the context of the book and magazine publishing industry. Topics include the principles of design and typography, the process of design, choosing a format, obtaining quotes from printers, building and using grids, producing mockups, making design presentations, the effective use of illustrations and photographs, and working with a printer and costing a design project. Students will learn to work with popular desktop publishing software such as QuarkXpress, InDesign, and Photoshop.

Editorial Principles & Practices
Instructors: Janice O'Leary & Tania Hannan
A comprehensive overview of the skills and uses of editing. The module includes acquiring the skills of copyediting, followed by an application of those principles to actual editing projects. A strong foundation in copy editing, grammar and usage, punctuation, and proofreading is emphasized. Students will also focus on comprehensive editing: readable style, clear organization, editorial planning and management, and effective visual design. Students also learn how to formulate an editorial mission for magazines or books, and to work with writers to help reach editorial objectives.

Publishing Law, Copyright & Literary Agents
Instructor: Evan Kaplan
This module covers basic principles of publishing law and contracts that permeate so many aspects of the publishing industry, including intellectual property law, and standard publishing agreements between authors and publishing companies. In addition, the course will cover the role and practice of literary agents. There will be an overriding emphasis on the legal issues arising in electronic and on-line publishing. Students will be provided with an understanding of the real-world copyright and trademark issues that arise on a daily basis in the publishing industry; of the publishing contracts and licenses used by editors, authors, and agents; and of the importance of libel, privacy and publicity review, and other preventative “vetting” measures used in the editorial process to avoid liability. While the course is particularly appropriate for students interested in developing their skills in the rights, contracts, copyright and permissions functions of a publishing company or a literary agency, the legal and deal-making skills covered in this course will be useful for almost any role in the industry.