An introduction to publishing
An introduction to publishing provides a comprehensive look into the world of book and journal publishing. This module gives an overview of the publishing world today and uncovers the variety of roles and responsibilities that come together to create published materials.
Course content
- The publishing industry: an overview
- Companies and brands
- Market research
- Acquiring and commissioning
- Sales and marketing
- Finance and costings
- Publishing career avenues
e-Learning modules are optimised for desktop and laptop devices and not tablets and smartphones.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will:
- understand the context and structure of the broad book and journal publishing world
- understand the key publishing processes and typical departmental functions of a publishing company
- understand the life cycle of a typical book and journal publication
How does the course work?
An introduction to publishing has six modules, plus a bonus unit. Each module has detailed explanations of the relevant areas of publishing, and quizzes for self-assessment. Finishing all sections of each module leads to your completion certificate being issued.
About the authors
Peter McKay has had a distinguished career in publishing sales, culminating in his appointment as sales and marketing director of Chapman & Hall and then Harcourt Brace. Peter then joined The Thomson Corporation (now Thomson Reuters). Here he directed operations for several divisions before becoming chief operating officer of Thomson Scientific in 2002.
Since leaving Thomson Reuters, Peter has held a number of top-level roles including publishing director for the British Standards Institution and director of tertiary publishing for Hodder Education.
Peter was The Publishing Training Centre's Chief Executive until June 2018.
Brenda Stones' current portfolio combines lecturing, training, editing and writing. She devises modules and lectures for the Publishing Studies MA at City University. Brenda runs many training courses for the Publishing Training Centre, often customised for in-company use. She edits at every level, from self-publishing to academic texts. She wrote twenty home-learning titles for WHS own-brand, and also primary school textbooks for the Bangladesh government. This range of freelance work derives from years of full-time publishing, starting as graduate trainee at Cambridge University Press and finishing as Publishing Director at Oxford University Press, including smaller trade and independent presses in between.
Emma House is Managing Consultant at Oreham Publishing. She previously worked as Deputy Director and Director for Publisher Relations for the Publishers Association, heading up the international anti-piracy campaigns on behalf of PA members, as well as monitoring and lobbying for secure market conditions in key export territories.
Emma is also a Trustee of the Publishing Training Centre.
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Eight to ten hours with eight months access to the module.
PTC e-Learning Modules are concentrated, online courses that focus on specialist topics relevant to publishing working life. They are designed to build on a foundation of existing skills and experience.