U N D E R G R A D U A T E O P P O R T U N I T I E S
The BFA Certificate in Publishing is open to BFA majors in Creative Writing. For students interested in pursuing a career in book or journal publishing, or graduate school in a related field, the certificate enhances professional credentials.
Completion of three or more courses below, for a minimum of 12 credit hours, with or without practicum, fulfills requirements for the Certificate in Publishing.
CRW 321 3cr Books and Book Publishing
An introduction to the culture and commerce of books. This course examines the life cycle of a book, the people and processes involved in book publishing, and the business, economics, and ethics of the publishing industry. Students have an opportunity to engage in a variety of publishing activities.
CRW 322 3cr Editing for Publication BFA MAJORS ONLY,
Prerequisite: CRW 207, 208, 209, or consent of instructorEditing for Publication offers students of creative writing intensive training in developing and applying skills in writing structure, copyediting, grammar, mechanics, spelling, formatting, style, and other fundamentals crucial to effective, polished writing. Students will complete exercises and larger projects as they explore the intellectual and practical issues involved in editorial decision-making.
CRW 323 3cr Bookbuilding
Prerequisite: CRW 207, 208, 209, or consent of instructor
This course offers intensive hands-on training in book design and production using desktop publishing technologies. Students develop skills through a progressively complex series of projects, culminating in a finished chapbook of their own work, in a small edition. Students should gain from this course basic software skills, a heightened design aesthetic, and an understanding of how books are built and produced, manuscript to bookshelf.
CRW 324 3cr Special Topics in Publishing Offered occasionally
This course allows for an occasional special emphasis in a narrower topic such as the history of books and publishing, book arts, or for a course taught by a guest instructor.
CRW 460 3 cr Publishing Practicum
A select group of students support the work of the Publishing Laboratory, with responsibility for editing, designing, and producing books and other publications. Undergraduate practicum students work 9 hours weekly in the Lab (including 1.5 hours from 3:30 to 5 Tuesday), under faculty supervision. Completion of two of the above courses is a preprequisite for the Practicum. Participants are selected by permission of instructor; a brief application is required. Working hours are scheduled at each student’s convenience during standard Pub Lab hours. May be repeated once for credit.
G R A D U A T E O P P O R T U N I T I E S
MFA students study concurrently with undergraduates in many of the Publishing Laboratory classes, where they have the added opportunity to enhance their experience by leading class sessions and undertaking additional research and creative projects. While most graduate students in UNCW’s program are writing with the aim of commercial publication, and the knowledge they gain in the Pub Lab will no doubt help them in that regard, we hope that participation in any of the following experiences will broaden and inform their understanding of books and communication in general.
For graduate students hoping to pursue careers in publishing or teaching, including management of literary publications and promotion of writers’ events, the Pub Lab provides an excellent training ground. Students completing any of the following special topics courses are eligible for assistantship opportunities in the Department of Creative Writing and elsewhere; practicum staff members (chosen each semester by application) gain valuable editorial, design, and business management skills as well.
CRW 523 3cr Bookbuilding
This course offers intensive hands-on training in book design and production using desktop publishing technologies. Students develop skills through a progressively more complex series of projects, culminating in a finished chapbook of their own work, in a small edition (which they take with them, along with completed digital files of their work for later reprinting). Students should gain from this course basic software skills, a heightened design aesthetic, and an understanding of how books are built and produced, manuscript to bookshelf.
CRW 524 3cr Literary MagazineThis course comprises the team that selects, edits, designs, markets, and manages the department’s biannual literary journal Ecotone.
CRW 525 3cr Special Topics in PublishingThis course allows for an occasional special emphasis in a narrower topic such as the history of books and publishing, book arts, or for a course taught by a guest instructor.
CRW 560 3cr Publishing Practicum: Editorial
Usually offered fall semester
Designed for students interested in a career in book editing—as well as for writers who want to be better informed about working with editors—this course offers intensive hands-on training in developmental editing and copyediting. A maximum of six selected students form the nucleus of the Publishing Laboratory editorial staff, with responsibility for editing viable book projects with the aim of publication. Participants are selected by permission of the instructor, based on previous participation or relevant experience in publishing.The course also surveys editorial/publishing practice and explores the intellectual and practical issues involved in editorial decision-making.
CRW 560 3 cr Publishing Practicum: Design and Production
Usually offered spring semester
For students interested in a career in book design or publishing—as well as for writers who want to be better informed about working with publishers—this course offers intensive hands-on training in book design and typography. A maximum of six selected students form the nucleus of the Publishing Laboratory staff, with responsibility for executing concepts and accompanying marketing materials for the Pub Lab and Lookout Books. Participants are selected by permission of the instructor, based on previous participation in bookbuilding or relevant experience. The imprint staff meets for 1.5 hours weekly and works independently in and outside the Lab for approximately 8 hours weekly.
