Every time I visit bookstores, every moment I see readers pick up the books I edited, and that is the energy to refuel me to keep walking on the challenging editorial path.

I am Ellen Cheng, a commissioning editor from Taiwan, I have edited children’s books and non-fiction titles, such as healthy, beauty, handicraft and self-help. Inspired by the rapid changes of the digital evolution within publishing industry, I have decided to be a part of MLitt in Publishing Studies in order to become a more professional, trained member of the industry.

The programme provides the newest and the most professional knowledge to efficiently realize the publishing market in the UK. The modules not only focus on the practical editorial training but also offer lots of opportunities to make good connections with the actual workplace. I believe the 2011/2012 will be a precious year for me that to brainstorm project ideas with international students and to communicate with the worldwide publishing partners exchanging views toward publishing art and business.

After four years of set reading lists structured around eight academic semesters and nearly twenty modules, I finally surfaced from my undergraduate existence with a BA Honours in English Studies, in June 2011. I had hoped my hunger for reading would have been satisfied (exhausted even), but this was not the case. Some may argue however, that having reached for a Stephanie Meyer title hours after submitting my dissertation, I had exhausted a hunger for a certain type of literature (I was simply relieved to read something not laced with hidden metaphorical or contextual meaning). Following a brainstorming session with a careers counsellor I found myself staring at a list of apparent skills and interests, a disorientating list from which I found no vocational direction. A number of peers had mentioned post-graduate courses at the University of Stirling, I reluctantly laid my Meyer hardback aside and ‘googled’ my future. Amidst a dull and overwhelming list of degrees I found my way onto the familiar and safe ‘English Studies’ tab. Despite my background in writing (creative writing has been part of my life from an early age and my dissertation, under guidance of novelist Paula Morris, was comprised of two personal essays) I bypassed the creative writing degree summary and found myself emailing Claire Squires, I was applying for the Publishing Studies Masters course.

Everything from that moment fell into place; it was as if the course requirement and summary had been based on my characteristics brainstorm sheet.

I have been on the course for nearly a term now and have long forgotten the idle ways of an undergraduate student; I am exhausted, balancing a million and twelve things in my head (an extensive ‘to do list’ is crucial) and am no longer able to stroll around a shop without analysing its marketing strategy. I have also never been so motivated and excited to be involved in such an unpredictable and innovative society. With such a diverse but united group of equally driven classmates and tutors to work alongside, I am eager to get stuck into what has already proven to be a stimulating and rewarding course. With each class I find myself unexpectedly fascinated by the many sectors within the industry, whether it’s copyright laws, product design or editorial management. Along with my studies I hope to fit in my favourite past-time; running up hills.

I’m a postgraduate student majoring in publishing studies at the University of Stirling in Scotland. I am from Tianjin, China.  After graduating from university, I set up my mind to study a postgraduate degree. Then I come to the most beautiful campus at the University of Stirling.  Then I chose publishing studies as my major, as I do believe this major may help me a lot. This is my first time to go abroad for studying.  When I first came to Scotland in July,  people in Scotland are so helpful and warm-hearted. I treat Scotland as my hometown.  I like the architecture here,  I like the people here, I like everything here! I am interested in football. My favourite football club is Chelsea.

I absolutely argue that with the help of our teachers, we learn a lot about Scotland’s culture and publishing.

Hello World, My name is Amy and I am originally from Birmingham in England but have uprooted myself to become a post-graduate Publishing studies student at Stirling University.  I have a Law degree and although on the surface this does not appear to harmonise with the idea of publishing, the two underpin each other in many ways. For both Law and Publishing you need ambition, enthusiasm, a broad mind, imagination, logical and perceptive thinking.

A professor of mine commented in my undergraduate degree that he wished I showed the passion I hold for books, ideas and imagination as I did for writing legal speeches and researching cases. But unfortunately my heart lies within literature, I am completely in love with the idea of somebody reading a piece of work whether it be a journal, a diary, a magazine or a book and that person connects with that work in a unique way. I think that is pretty incredible.  I’m excited to continue the publishing studies course, and to learn about the business, marketing, editorial and sales side of publishing. The course itself is by far the best thing I’ve ever done.

Stirling University is a fantastic place to start my journey into this fascinating Publishing globe!

When I graduated with a degree in English Language from The University of Edinburgh this summer, it was with very little idea of what I wanted to do.  Whenever I told people what my degree was in they would say “Oh, so are you going to be a teacher then?” and for a while that was my plan.  However, I wasn’t sure that it was really the right path for me.  It was not until almost the end of my final year that the idea of a career in publishing occurred to me, and at that point in time doing a Masters was the last thing on my mind (one dissertation seemed more than enough)!  I then began to do more research about Publishing and the more I looked into the course at Stirling University, the more I realised that it was an opportunity not to be missed.  Books have always appealed to me and reading is one of my favourite pastimes, so progressing in to a career in publishing seems natural.

We are now a few weeks in to the course and I’m already thoroughly enjoying it, even though the work is never ending!  The department and everyone in it is great, as are my fellow classmates and I can see that it is going to be a great year.  You can follow my exploits on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn.