PEGGY HUGHES, PROGRAMME MANAGER | NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING

'We were very pleased to be able to welcome the MA Publishing cohort to the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall for the first time. As writers, publishers, editors and curators at the beginning their careers, it felt valuable for them to have the opportunity to see and feel connected to the greater ecosystem in which their aspirations sit. A unique resource in England, the work of NCW and environment of Dragon Hall present a place for practical questions and increased understanding of how their MA will land in the world, and how the fruits of their labours and imaginations will have an impact. It certainly seemed from this visit with us that we were able to plug some gaps and clarify some of the mysteries that can obscure paths through the publishing industry.'

 

JUSTINE MANN, BACW | ARCHIVIST

'I didn't experience the whole module but I did see the teaching in action at the Archives and Agents visit and in the preparation prior to this. It redeveloped an inherited session from a fairly passive visit into something much more dynamic and relevant and therefore more valuable for the students. If this is the approach taken with the module as a whole then I imagine it was transformational for the students. They need to be aware of the publishing industry in all of its guises. If delivered in the right way it need not inhibit their work (i.e. the market intruding before the creative idea has taken flight, which I know some fear might be an issue).'

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SARAH BRAYBROOKE, MANAGING DIRECTOR | SCRIBE

'It was fantastic to meet the UEA students studying a more practical, industry-focused publishing MA. They were unusually confident, equipped to challenge how 'we' do things in the industry. Memorably, the group were offered the opportunity to pitch their fledgling publications to me (it was week four!) and grasped the chance. Much of their assurance seemed to be built on the course structure which encouraged students to identify their own convictions and ally them to what they learnt about the industry, updating ideas weekly. They were able to locate their pitches in both the artistic and logistical landscape of the industry. A rare and welcome thing!'

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ANDREW KENRICK, CO-FOUNDER & CO-EDITOR | HINTERLAND

'The MA students were engaged in my talk about creating a quarterly publication, asking questions throughout and eager to learn more about the real-world applications. They couldn't wait to get stuck in to the practical elements of the class too, clamouring to use the tools and resources I'd brought along to see how they could bring them to bear on their own projects. A number of them followed up by email after the seminar to ask how to set up a publication of their own, hear my experience of accessing funding, and locate free online templates to professionalise their writing ready for submitting to journals, prizes, and agents.'