MLitt Publishing Studies

Recipient of first Gaelic publishing scholarship announced

July 10th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Recipient of first Gaelic publishing scholarship announced
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The recipient of the first Gaelic publishing scholarship established by the Gaelic Books Council and the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication at the University of Stirling has been announced.

Liam Crouse, a recent graduate of the University of Edinburgh, is the first recipient of the fully-funded scholarship for the MLitt in Publishing Studies for session 2013-14.

Rosemary Ward, Director of the Gaelic Books Council said: “The Gaelic Books Council is very pleased with the level of interest that has been shown in the Gaelic publishing scholarship and we are delighted to be offering the first scholarship to Liam Crouse. Liam has illustrated that he is an exemplary student having gained a First Class Master of Arts with Honours degree from the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. The Gaelic Books Council is satisfied that he will apply the same commitment, creativity and diligence to his MLitt studies and we anticipate that he will make a valuable contribution to Gaelic publishing in the future.”

She added: “This scholarship was established in the first instance to attract new talent into the sector and to begin the process of increasing capacity. Liam is certainly a talented young man with a strong commitment to the Gaelic language and a secure knowledge of Gaelic literature and publishing and we wish him every success with his studies.”

When the scholarship was offered to him, Liam said: “I am absolutely delighted to be offered this important Gaelic scholarship. It is a wonderful opportunity. In the last ten years, Gaelic literature and publishing has made remarkable progress through various initiatives to support new Gaelic writers. The focus must now be on strengthening the Gaelic publishing infrastructure. The revitalisation of the Gaelic language and the development of Gaelic publishing presents many challenges, and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to become involved in this important work.”

Professor Claire Squires, Director of the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication said: “We’re very pleased to be working with the Gaelic Books Council to provide this opportunity for a Gaelic-language student on the MLitt in Publishing Studies at Stirling. We are delighted to welcome an outstanding student who brings a passion for the Gaelic language and an international perspective both to the Publishing Studies course and to the Gaelic-speaking community.”

Liam will study at the University’s Stirling campus in session 2013-14 and the Gaelic Books Council will secure appropriate placements for him with Gaelic publisher(s).

More information about the Scholarship is available here.

 

Kate McNamara, MLitt in Publishing Studies 2011-12

July 10th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Alumni | Comments Off on Kate McNamara, MLitt in Publishing Studies 2011-12
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One of the things that really drew me to the MLitt in Publishing Studies course was how practical the modules were. The classes and lecturers offered a myriad of practical skills through the publishing project, dissertation, and through the way the course was taught. Right from the start we were given group exercises, like making pitches as international companies at rights fairs, and creating marketing materials in a team in a short space of time and presenting them to the class. We were also encouraged to keep on top of what was happening in the publishing world outside of our classroom. All of this also gave me lots to talk about in interviews. We were also exposed to many different aspects of publishing, which was invaluable. When I began the course I was set on becoming an editor but I found myself becoming increasingly interested in marketing as well.

Now I am working as a Sales and Marketing Assistant with McGraw-Hill Education, a thoroughly enjoyable role where I can utilize the software, marketing, communication and design skills which Stirling gave me. It has also really helped in my understanding of how publishing in general works, and my role within the company in particular, and especially in choosing where I wanted to go. The course helped me get the job by giving me the needed skills, allowing me to articulate them in interviews and detail my professional development, and enabling me to prepare the interview tasks, but it also puts me at ease in my work. I can’t recommend it enough.

 

Carnegie-Cameron Taught Postgraduate Bursaries

June 13th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Carnegie-Cameron Taught Postgraduate Bursaries
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In addition to the Merit Scholarships for Taught Postgraduate students, the University is also advertising four Carnegie-Cameron Taught Bursaries for 2013-14.

Students of Scottish birth, of Scottish extraction (with at least one parent being born in Scotland), or having been resident in Scotland for a period of at least three years for the purposes of secondary or tertiary education, are eligible to apply for the Carnegie-Cameron Taught Postgraduate Bursary. The Bursary aims to support: ‘taught postgraduate Masters that will enhance students’ employability in their chosen field, develop their specialist skills, or supplement existing ones, thus bettering their career prospects. The Bursaries should not be considered as a stepping stone for further study at PhD level and preference will be given to candidates with a clear career plan outside academia.’ – and hence are very applicable to the MLitt in Publishing Studies. The criteria are based upon a combination of merit, promise and financial need. The bursaries cover tuition fees of up to £3750 per student.

Further details available here. The deadline is 28 June 2013.

 

 

Publishing Showcase 2013

April 24th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Publishing Showcase 2013
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It’s already the end of another year!

Only a moment ago, our 2012-13 cohort of students were fresh-faced and eager to embark on their publishing studies.

Now, they may be a little more tired, and both excited and intimidated by the job search ahead, but more than anything they’re much more publishing savvy.

We’re celebrating their achievements on Thursday 2 May by showcasing their work from the Publishing Project. There also be invited guests from our Industry Advisory Board speaking on a panel on the state of the publishing industry.

You are welcome to join us – please let us know if you’d like to come so we have an idea of numbers.

3.15-4.45 Industry Advisory Board panel discussion (including Katy Lockwood-Holmes of Floris, Adrian Searle of Freight Books, Marion Sinclair of Publishing Scotland, Christoph Chesher of Taylor & Francis). Pathfoot B2

5pm onwards Publishing Showcase and Drinks Reception. Pathfoot Crush Hall.

 

 

Revised Curriculum for the MLitt in Publishing Studies

April 1st, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Revised Curriculum for the MLitt in Publishing Studies
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BEFORE READING THIS POST, PLEASE CHECK THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. (The REAL curriculum is here. At least for now…)

 

The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication has been at the vanguard of publishing education for over thirty years. It has a forward-thinking approach to publishing studies, and has continually delivered cutting-edge, professionally-oriented degrees which have prepared alumni to work in publishing and publishing-related companies around the world.

The publishing industry is now undergoing an extremely rapid rate of change. Digital technologies have meant that new business models and structures are radically reshaping the industry. As such, we have entirely revised the curriculum for our industry-leading MLitt in Publishing Studies. The new curriculum will be delivered from 2013-14, and we are proud to announce it here.

The revised programme will be structured as follows:

Semester 1

Amazon 1: This compulsory module investigates different market sectors, introduces concepts of publishing business, finance and intellectual property, and analyses current publishing trends and issues. It also explores job roles and publishing processes, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in an Amazon career.

Amazon 2: This compulsory module examines the processes by which publishing projects (including books, magazines, journals, and digital products) are conceptualised and created at Amazon. It explores the management of authors, intellectual property resources, and editorial workflow, including practical skills of project management and text preparation (copyediting and proofreading).

Amazon 3: This compulsory module introduces marketing theory and practical publishing examples in order to develop a range of strategies for effective promotion of publishing products, through traditional and digital media. The module also explores Amazon’s supply chain, distribution and sales management.

Arts Research Training: This compulsory module enhances students’ employability skills, professional social media, online writing and editing skills, and research methods and research project development. All elements of the module are specifically tailored towards or focused on Amazon.

Semester 2

Amazon 4: This compulsory module enables students to develop skills, understanding and aptitudes for digital (aka Amazon) publishing, its processes and products, including in compiling digital briefs, reviewing and evaluating digital products, management of social media and digital rights, understanding of e-business models and the digital economy, and deployment of analytics, keywords, SEO, metadata and XML.

Amazon 5: This compulsory module enables students to develop management and entrepreneurial skills crucial to publishing. Areas covered include strategic, operational, risk, financial and HR management. It also explores the global business of publishing, including growth strategies, murders and executions, legal tax avoidance, and inventing business models that at first glance make no sense whatsoever.

Internship at Amazon: This compulsory module enables students to undertake a work placement or internship at one of Amazon’s worldwide distribution centres, to incorporate their workplace learning through critical reflection on their and Amazon’s activities and processes.

Publishing, Literature and Society: This optional module explores the interactions between contemporary and historical publishing and society, approaching topics including authorship, readership and the literary marketplace, censorship, wartime publishing, and publishing and diversity (e.g. “not Amazon”). It enables students to develop a critical distance from Amazon.

Publishers’ Lunch (or, The Frankfurt School): This optional module will introduce students to the traditional, or legacy, model of publishing. It involves copious consumption of alcohol, face-to-face meetings and ‘gatekeeping’. Male students are in the majority on this module.

Summer

Dissertation: This is an intensive piece of research on a topic of Amazon’s choice, which is notionally approved by the Programme Director and student. Work extends over both semesters and into the summer.

Given our excellent industry contacts, we are confident that all students will, on successful completion of their programme, be placed at one of Amazon’s many international distribution centres (probably Dunfermline). In the very unlikely event that they are not immediately placed with Amazon or a sub-contracted company, less successful alumni still have ample opportunity to become authors via Amazon’s Kindle Direct programme, or act as highly valued unpaid prosumers in Amazon’s Kindle Directed scheme. Entrepreneurial alumni have the opportunity to develop Amazon-associated businesses and franchises which, should they survive the Kindle Dragon, will be examined by Amazon as acquisition targets.

Ms A. P. Rilfoule, the University’s Amazon Liaison Officer, commented that, ‘We’re very excited about delivering this new programme, which has been developed in close cooperation with our Industry Advisory Borg. Share the bold new future of publishing, writing, reading, and pretty much everything else: with Amazon, with us.’

Merit Scholarships to study publishing at Stirling

February 16th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Merit Scholarships to study publishing at Stirling
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The University of Stirling is offering Merit Scholarships of £2000 to Home/EU students who have graduated with a first-class honours degree for postgraduate study in 2013-14.

Full details of the scheme are available here. To apply for a place on the MLitt in Publishing Studies at the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication, please apply for a place on the programme.

Details of other scholarships for Home/EU students are available here (AHRC) and for students from developing C0mmonwealth countries here (Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme).

 

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for study at Stirling

February 16th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for study at Stirling
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The University of Stirling is inviting applications from students for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.

The University is offering three scholarships, and Publishing is one of the areas in which applications are being accepted. If you are from a Commonwealth country and wish to be considered for a scholarship to study for the MLitt in Publishing Studies at the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication, please apply for a place on the programme and indicate in your personal statement that you wish to be considered for a scholarship.

The deadline for initial applications is 30 March 2013. For further details of the scheme and eligibility, please see the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.

Iceland – country of fire, ice, and books.

January 28th, 2013 by Kristin Funk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Iceland – country of fire, ice, and books.
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Not only does Iceland have the most stunning landscape, its literary culture is truly fascinating as well. Kristján Jónasson, head of the Association of Icelandic Book Publishers, once said “Iceland is an island far up North, it is hard to get away – except through reading and writing”. Literature seems to indeed be a passion on the island in the North Atlantic. 93 percent of the population read at least one book a year, 40 percent read more than five. Even though only 340,000 people live in the European country, approximately 2.5 million books are sold annually. In recent years, Iceland has been struggling with a severe financial crisis. However, book sales have not suffered.

Crime novels, especially those of Icelandic and Scandinavian authors, are among the favourites of Icelandic readers. The Christmas season is the most beneficial time for book sales. Giving books as a Christmas present has been a tradition in Iceland since the 1950s when import articles were rare. Today, nearly every Icelander will find a book under the tree come Christmas Eve.

The most famous Icelandic literature are the over 600 years old Sagas of Icelanders. Written in the 13th and 14th century, the sagas tell stories of survival, honour and love. To this day, the authors of the sagas, and how much the stories represent the truth, remain a mystery. The sagas are part of the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, and they are still a presence in the mind of Icelandic people. One can find the names of the saga heroes in product names, and some of the old saga phrases are still being used in today’s Icelandic language.

The Nobel laureate in literature, Halldór Laxness has a very special place among the Icelandic citizens. The house that he resided in until his death in 1998 is a museum now, and a very popular destination for excursions. Another greatly interesting museum is the Þórbergur Center. Its exhibition is dedicated to the author Þórbergur Þórðarson (1888–1974). One side of the building is shaped as a row of two-metre-high book spines – making it a piece of striking architecture.

No other country on earth has as many authors as Iceland percentage-wise. The rise of the internet encouraged the Icelandic passion for writing even further – nearly every Icelander has their own blog today. In times of great uncertainty in many other parts of the world, Iceland seems to be an example of a great literary culture that cannot be disturbed by technology or economical difficulties.

– Kristin Funk

AHRC Studentship Grant – Perspectives of a Current Holder

January 13th, 2013 by Joanne Marjoribanks | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on AHRC Studentship Grant – Perspectives of a Current Holder
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If you’re planning on studying in the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and COmmunication in 2013-14 and are a Home or EU student, you may be eligible for an AHRC studentship. Joanne Marjoribanks, a current studentship holder, writes about her award:

The award of the AHRC studentship grant has been of enormous benefit to me as I have progressed with the MLitt Publishing Studies course.

I have often thought of scholarships as being very competitive with complex and demanding application requirements, therefore I was initially reluctant to apply. However, after further consideration I decided to pursue it. Thankfully, the application process was not as complicated as I thought it would be, and both my course director Claire Squires and Sheilah Greig in the Graduate Office were very helpful. I was absolutely delighted when I found out that I had been selected to receive grant funding. Considering that I almost didn’t apply and that I wasn’t at all confident in my chances, I was even more grateful that I had been chosen. It just goes to show that you should try for things even if you don’t think you’ll be successful.

I was very pleasantly surprised at the level of funding which has been allocated to me. It has paid my tuition fees in full, which, without the grant I would have had to drain my personal savings account to pay for. Being able to retain my savings is obviously a great advantage for my future, especially in this economic climate. Payment of my tuition fees alone would have been a huge help; however, the addition of a quarterly stipend is proving to be an even greater benefit to my studies.

Throughout my academic career, I have found that I work best when I have peace and quiet in my own space. The grant money is enabling me to rent a very comfortable flat by myself in Bridge of Allan, which has provided me with a productive environment for my studies. Furthermore, the grant funding has meant that it is not necessary for me to have a part-time job to pay for my living costs. This has obviously been very beneficial, as I have more time to focus on my studies. The extra time also allows me to get involved in other activities related to publishing, such as attending events run by the Society of Young Publishers, which serve to enhance my experience of the publishing industry while at university.

The grant continues to be a great help to me in pursuing the completion of my degree, and I’m sure it will be a great asset to my CV as well. I would strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to apply for it. You never know, you might have a better chance than you think

Student article in Publishing Research Quarterly

January 12th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Student article in Publishing Research Quarterly
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Rachel Noorda (nee Chase) has recently published an article in leading international journal Publishing Research Quarterly.

Her article, ‘International Success: Selling Niche Titles Beyond the Prime Home Market’, is based on her MLitt in Publishing Studies dissertation, which she completed last year. Within a specifically Scottish context, but with relevance to small and niche publishers around the world, Rachel’s article assesses how niche titles can find global success. She uses examples drawn from her research with Scottish publishers including Edinburgh University Press, Floris, and Freight Books.

Rachel’s article is available from Publishing Research Quarterly (2012) 28: 359–36.

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