PUB5008 - The Professional Editor

Leader: Nick Walker and David Dunstan

Offered

City First semester 2007 (Evening)

Synopsis

The professional editor plays a central role in the productive and creative operations of a publishing house. He, or she, sets or maintains editorial and production standards and is largely responsible for the day-to-day management of major publishing projects (including complex electronic publications), the publishing program and the editorial and production team. The professional editor will already have trained as a copy-editor. This advanced unit will concentrate on developing a sound understanding of the broader responsibilities and professional concerns of the editorial manager.

Objectives

On completion of this subject students will be able to demonstrate:

1. Understanding of the role of the senior or managing editor in a publishing house.
2. Understanding of the responsibilities of the professional editor in the management of major publishing projects and, for this purpose, in-house or freelance editors, designers, illustrators and book production staff.
3. The ability to scrutinise and consider codes of publishing practice and newly evolving formal statements of editorial standards.
4. The ability to critically review standard editorial style guides and production manuals.
5. Understanding of the role of the professional editor in the development of complex electronic publications.
6. A critical understanding of the changing context of the professional editor in the workforce.

Assessment

Essay (2000 words) : 45%
Essay (2000 words) : 45%
Practical Exercise (500 words) : 10%

Contact hours

Two hours per week plus site visitations and guest lecturers.