Publishing Masters (PUBB1-GC)

This course provides an introduction to all aspects of book publishing, print and digital. Students will learn the fundamentals of editorial acquisitions and editing, marketing, publicity, sales, design, and production, as well as the central importance of digital formats. Book publishing financial models will be discussed, as well as how budgets are determined. Students will be required to think like publishers, evaluating editorial projects and seeking creative sales and marketing strategies to position titles in a shifting retail marketplace, as other media competes for consumers’ time and attention.

After learning the fundamentals of the book industry in PUBB1-GC 1005 Introduction to Book Publishing, students now examine the editorial, business, and digital operations of media brands, including magazines, content-rich e-commerce companies, and digital-only brands. In this seven-week course, students are given a broad understanding of the changing face of media in an era of digital formats and AI. The basics of editorial positioning, consumer marketing and audience development, art and production, advertising, sales, and marketing are thoroughly examined, not only for magazines, but for a variety of digital and multimedia sites and brands. In addition, students learn about visual storytelling, the role of social media in promoting media brands, and shifting business models across platforms. For their final project, students work in teams to create or redesign a new media brand with multiple formats and revenue streams.

Understanding how media organizations function is essential for any future publishing manager. In this course, students explore the inner workings and corporate structure of media companies and the role of the manager within this context. They also examine how corporations adapt to digital media from both an organizational and strategic viewpoint. Students gain an understanding of the fundamentals of management theory and develop essential management skills including self-awareness, communication, motivation, leadership, negotiation, and conflict management. The course discusses the various theories and styles of management and supervision employed in the publication of books and magazines, and in digital media. In addition, students will explore the process of self-management in terms of strategic planning of career pathways, exploring different approaches to resume building, and progression in the workplace.

This course provides students with a basic grounding in the essential business concepts and financial skills relevant to careers in book publishing and digital media. Students will become familiar with common business models, understand revenue streams, develop budgeting skills, comprehend financial statements, and learn how to analyze publishing decisions with a financial mindset. Through practical projects, case studies, and spreadsheet-based exercises, students will gain confidence in applying financial concepts to real-world publishing scenarios. This course will serve as an introduction to PUBB1-GC 1155 Finance in Publishing II, which is taken in conjunction with the Capstone course.

Building upon the concepts in Principles of Finance in Publishing, this course focuses on the interpretation and understanding of the financial results of book and magazine/digital media, as well as how this information is used in decision-making and business plan development. The course is designed to supplement the Capstone course and refresh and expand financial assumptions learned in PUBB1-GC 1150, Principles of Finance in Publishing. Topics emphasized during the course include: The preparation and control of budgets as a management tool and the importance of cost accounting in pricing and determining profitability. Students learn the basics of financial modeling in book and magazine/digital media companies, and work toward a final project in which they work in a team to develop a financial model, including a presentation of assumptions using tools learned over the course of the semester. Preparation of this model supplements similar work done on an individual basis in the Capstone course.

The fundamental building blocks of Introduction to Marketing and Branding are understanding the customer and finding the best ways to reach and expand your audience. Students learn the principles of successful book and digital/magazine media marketing as well as the fundamentals of product development and branding across multiple platforms. Students will become familiar with the research tools available to marketers, and study how to determine brand equity, apply pricing strategies, and use comparisons and competition to gain insight into the market. Through case studies of effective marketing campaigns, students evaluate winning strategies and prepare for the final course project: a written and oral presentation of a marketing plan for a brand extension of an existing media company, incorporating a wide range of digital and print components. This course serves as a foundation for all Media Marketing and Distribution Specialization courses.

Intellectual property is the foundation of publishing. In any medium, such property is protected and regulated by copyrights, trademarks, and other laws and regulations, as well as licenses and other contractual arrangements. This course examines the primary legal issues that authors, editors, publishers, marketers, agents, lawyers, and other media professionals deal with in the business of publishing books, magazines, and other print and digital content. This course will survey the foundations of current media law, including the First Amendment, libel, privacy, the right of publicity, fair use, and advertising. Students will be introduced to the key terms of publishing agreements and the art of contract negotiation. Throughout the course, legal precedents will be studied, particularly how they apply to today’s rapidly evolving media landscape. Students will gain an understanding of key aspects of media and publishing law in order to identify potential legal issues and apply practical solutions in the real-life media world. Students will examine real-world hypotheticals in class discussions and written assignments during the course of the semester. In our in-class Career Speaker Series, students will hear from seasoned industry insiders throughout the semester who will visit our classroom to share their wisdom about how to have a successful career in publishing.

The Capstone Thesis Course seeks to give students a 360-degree view of the business of publishing, incorporating and utilizing all previous coursework in the program. It is a professional workshop that requires students to complete a business plan for a media company; this could be a multi-platform magazine brand; a book publishing imprint or company (including digital extensions); or a digital-only property with rich publishing content. Students may also create new media-related businesses. Students learn to create a full business plan and enhance their knowledge through class discussion and presentations by the faculty and guest speakers. Case studies of successful businesses help students refine their own plans through the progression of the course. Students also study research methods, funding sources, financial modeling, and competitive analysis. Classroom discussion will be supplemented by one-on-one sessions with the professor and guest speakers. By the end of the course, students are equipped to present a summary of their plans to a panel of industry leaders, reflecting their greater understanding of how the pieces of a business work together and inform decision-making and success. All Capstone ideas must be approved by the program and faculty member before a student will be registered for this course.

In this course we will examine the various business models in digital media and what it takes to build a successful business. How do publishing executives evaluate potential strategies in order to further their business model? Through close examination of financial considerations, we will explore how to make decisions by evaluating revenue opportunity against cost, and furthermore, create organizational structures that can greatly influence the profitability and sustainability of a digital media business. This course will look at websites, apps, and emerging platforms, and how each specific platform impacts business models and the ways in which successful digital publishers leverage content types, advertising formats and new revenue offerings. This course provides important preparation for students interested in developing a digital plan for their Capstones as well as for those seeking jobs in digital; it also provides the analytics to understand the financial and business implications of editorial and creative decisions.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in book publishing, including an exploration of new business practices, skill sets, and the transformation from print to digital. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in magazine media, including an exploration of new business practices, functions, and the digital transformation of magazine media functions. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in the management of media companies, including an exploration of new business models and practices and the impact of disruptive technologies on traditional publishing companies. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in the media industry, including an exploration of new business practices, new and expanded digital platforms, and the intersection of different forms of media to support publishing businesses. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in digital media, including an exploration of new business practices, new and expanded digital platforms, and the intersection of different media platforms to support publishing businesses. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in publishing law, including an exploration of new business practices, changes in the law, application of legal principles to publishing businesses, and legal shifts brought about by digital transformation. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

This course provides in-depth study of special topics in book and media marketing, including an exploration of new business practices to discover and expand audiences and promote publishing products; shifting attitudes about the intersection of marketing and content creation will also potential topics of discussion. Topics will change based upon current trends and industry-specific needs.

Editorial, marketing, publicity and management all rely upon an expert Sales division. In this course, students will learn the interconnectivity of the sales team with all major divisions of a publishing house, and the key role of the sales department in determining the marketplace viability of a potential acquisition. Students will also learn how to evaluate a book by reviewing every aspect of the Title Information Sheet. We will explore how Sales influences the timing, pricing, format and positioning of every book. Students will learn to evaluate effective sales campaigns across multiple markets including major retail chains, online retailers, independent bookstores, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, mail order catalogues, price clubs, and international customers, as well as accompanying merchandising plans. Students will act as publishers, pitching the book to a sales team, as well as acting as a major house sales rep, pitching the book to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

In this course, students examine the multiple revenue streams magazine and digital media companies employ to grow a healthy brand. The first half of the course will examine how magazine media brands build their audiences and target new ones through consumer marketing and audience development programs. The class will cover tactics in executing successful 360° consumer marketing campaigns – from ideation and execution to analysis and CRM. The second half of the course will explore how advertising, partnerships, sponsorships, and other integrated campaigns build revenue and brand awareness. Students will explore the evolving business models for video, mobile and social, looking at both traditional advertising and branded content/native advertising. Understanding the tools and technologies used by marketers today will be an important part of the class curriculum throughout. Additionally, students will be challenged to uncover new models that both new and traditional media companies are experimenting with to attract larger audiences and diversify revenue.

This course prepares students to navigate the complex financial and operational challenges of modern media enterprises. Students will gain essential skills for strategic leadership in digital-first media organizations while understanding the interplay between traditional and emerging revenue streams. Through real-world case studies and hands-on projects, students will develop comprehensive P&L strategies for multi-platform media brands, create data-driven budgets spanning content, audience development, and marketing initiatives, and design sustainable revenue models incorporating advertising, subscriptions, events, and brand extensions. The curriculum covers analysis of key performance metrics and optimization strategies for maximum ROI across different business units and platforms. Special emphasis will be placed on emerging monetization opportunities, including podcasts and creator partnerships, and evolving industry trends like AI integration, first-party data strategies, and direct-to-consumer revenue models.

Understanding the key financial components of all book publishing formats is critical for those in the industry. In this course, students examine the practical application of business principles for managing each function in a book publishing company (both small and large). Based upon the knowledge gained from Introduction to Book Publishing and Multimedia Financial Analysis, this class uses the income statement as a point of departure for showing how the daily application of editorial, production, marketing, sales, and fulfillment impact the financial statements of the publishing company. Students learn how companies can maximize revenues and profitability using these strategies and principles and similarly, how to use the financial statements as strategic management tools. Students also explore the financials of Print-on-Demand, self-publishing and other formats.

Through a unique combination of lecture, case studies, guest speakers, and hands-on experience working with a start-up media company, this course examines the enormous structural change in publishing and provides a strategic road map for how entrepreneurs turn concepts into a fully funded business. The course also examines how mature companies change and pivot. While the course is not a prerequisite for the Capstone, it is designed for students to use the concepts taught here to develop their ideas for that course. Throughout the course, students discuss competitive analyses for new ventures, startup costs, and effective business models. They learn to sell their idea to investors and potential customers. They also learn how to identify business opportunities and explore sources of venture capital, partnerships, and business arrangements for books, magazines, and digital platforms. This course will explore how large and growing media companies create new ventures and expand into new business segments, as well as how individual entrepreneurs launch media businesses. To better understand the process, students will be asked to work with a selected media company analyzing real issues and challenges, and suggesting solutions as a practical learning exercise.

Globalization of media has meant that international publishing is the largest opportunity for future growth for American publishers. Stemming from the thesis that “the world is flat,” the ability for American publishers to translate and disseminate their content on a global basis has created both the newest and largest opportunity for media companies. Publishers are increasingly looking to the international market for new sources of revenue. This course will focus on practical elements of international publishing. It will provide background in legal, ethical, marketing, production, financial, and organizational elements of international content businesses. It will discuss key aspects of evaluating market opportunities and initiating new business launches, as well as local partnerships and joint ventures in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Whether or not students plan careers specifically in the global market, an understanding of key principles of international publishing is important for all in the industry.

Editing has never been a bigger, more challenging job than it is now, when creating and shepherding content across all platforms is a critical skill. Today's successful editor is someone who sees media’s ever-evolving range of formats as an opportunity, not a limitation. At the same time, they are driven by the two fundamental, persistent goals of all editorial: to captivate and to inform the reader. In this course, students will learn how to do both, and practice applying those skills across print, digital, social media, branded content, video, and emerging platforms and formats. Students will edit various types of content, generate story ideas, learn how to work with writers, develop visual treatments, and use real-world metrics to strategize for success. Amid a media landscape that changes every day, this course will help students build a strong editorial foundation for nimble, creative coverage.

The editor acquires and develops the books that are essential to the success of a publishing venture. This class examines the publishing process from the inception of an idea to bound book, and studies the working dynamics of the publishing environment. Focusing on the adult trade marketplace, students will learn how to determine the best sources for the acquisition of both fiction and nonfiction, how to identify new ideas for books, and how to bring them to market. Students will study the agent-editor relationship, as well as the author-editor relationship, with a special emphasis on working with creative personalities in a business environment. Students will hone their critical faculties, develop editing skills, acquire effective communication strategies, learn to write jacket and web copy, and examine how an editor influences major marketing and sales functions for print, ebooks, and audiobooks.

Powerful web publishing tools are within affordable–and sometimes free–reach of anyone with connection to the Internet. In this publishing workshop, students will develop web destinations while including examples of integrated technologies and awareness methods/techniques discussed in class. The workshop lessons will teach students basic HTML and CSS; consideration of Search Engine Optimization (SEO); incorporation of images, audio, and video in a site; selection and use of student’s content management system (CMS) or blogging platform; usability considerations, construction and distribution of RSS content feeds; utilization of reader/viewer feedback, sharing mechanisms and social networks from a marketing perspective; installation of a web analytics tools to the student's site and learning a basic understanding of what various metrics mean relative to the stated goal(s), and monetization programs, methods and related ideas. Such wide-ranging and specific goals may include the trafficking of reader/viewership, to the number of social networking connections made, to selling an item online. In this workshop, students will learn to apply and leverage various popular technology and marketing applications to work towards achieving their stated goal. By the end of the 14-week class, students will create web projects using blogging software, social networking and video sites. They will demonstrate quantitative cause and effect relationships between the strategies they implemented in reaching their stated goal.

This lab-based course introduces students to the fundamentals of creating effective digital and print designs for publishing and media. Students will learn core principles of visual design while developing book and magazine covers, page layouts, social media content, posters, promotional materials, and basic website designs. Through hands-on projects, students will gain practical experience with industry-standard software—including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma—to produce professional designs for print, web, and interactive applications. Basic typography and design principles will be covered as well as introductory computer-based illustration and image processing. Students will learn how to combine photographs, illustrations and type into professional quality files ready for multichannel output. Through hands-on projects, inspired by real-world art department design challenges, students will explore the tools that give creative expression to specific editorial concepts across both digital and printed content. The course will also introduce the ever-growing impact artificial intelligence (AI) is having in the creative field, as well as the evolving tools that designers are using. We will explore the wide range of opportunities that AI presents for designers, on both a practical and a strategic level. AI tools are not only helping designers optimize processes but also opening new doors to creative thinking and problem-solving. When relevant, AI will be incorporated into our class lessons and projects to best position students for success in this new and exciting era. By understanding the fundamentals of publishing design, from layout composition to grids, color theory and typography, students will learn how to communicate clearly with a design team and create inspiring printed and digital work that stands out. This is a beginner-level desktop publishing course intended for those with little or no prior experience with the Adobe Creative Suite.

This course is intended for students who have already completed PUBB1-GC 3370, or who can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the skills covered in that course and receive instructor approval. Take your design skills to the next level by building on foundational principles of typography, layout, and visual design. This course explores advanced techniques using industry-standard tools, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma. Throughout the course, students will tackle real-world, in-depth creative projects such as developing social media campaigns, designing digital book covers, producing printed magazines and posters, and creating promotional materials for marketing initiatives. Additional projects include website design, logo design, & blog/e-newsletters design. Students will learn how organizations use the latest design technologies to integrate print and digital media, tell compelling stories, engage audiences, and drive measurable results through effective visual communication. By the end of the course, students will have developed a professional portfolio that demonstrates their mastery of publishing design. Welcome to the next level of visual design.

While many of the principles of general trade book publishing also apply to the children’s and young adult market, there are numerous points of differentiation as well. This 14-week course will explore all the facets of this 3-4 billion dollar industry from acquisition and editing to marketing and distribution. Through special attention to both the creative and business aspects of core industry categories (picture books for young readers, middle grade and YA, among others), students gain an in-depth understanding of the writing and illustrating of these books, the production challenges of illustrated and enhanced books, the wide variety of sales channels, the ingenuity required for successful marketing to consumers, libraries, and retail outlets, the need and value of increased diversity of content, and the importance of a solid profit and loss statement.

An intensive study of the editing process and the role of the editor in book publishing, this course will build upon the editing skills learned in Book Acquisition and Editing and provide the student with hands-on experience both in commercial and literary fiction and non-fiction. The course will provide a far deeper look at specific literary genres such as mysteries and thrillers, literary fiction, pop culture and platform-focused non-fiction, and narrative non-fiction with a historical emphasis, and help the student understand publishing trends and how the editor addresses them. The student will gain insight into the entire editorial process, and learn what goes into managing a book project, from the moment a manuscript is turned in to the editor, to the day it goes into production.

In this course, students will work closely with a specified publishing company to experience practical, hands-on learning. Generally, the companies will be smaller presses with unique business challenges. This semester, the company will be The New Press, an independent social justice publisher. The New Press publishes approximately 40 books a year, in the areas of sociology, education, law, history, political science, and some international fiction. Students will be asked to read actual proposals, help with the review process, and work on current marketing and sales plans. Each week, a different topic will be introduced. Students will be encouraged to approach specific TNP publishing tasks as if they were employees of the company. Students will be invited to visit The New Press offices and attend meetings. There will also be a comparative look at the similarities and differences between independent and academic presses.

In this course, we will examine in depth how to edit a successful children's book. Students will do several hands-on exercises to learn the nuances of editing everything from a picture book text to a novel length work. We will discuss how to collaborate with an author and the delicate line editors walk between pushing the right amount and knowing when to stop. Students will also learn how to edit children’s book illustrations. This course is designed for those interested in a possible career in children’s book editing.

Copy editors and proofreaders aid authors and writers—from ad copy to a nonfiction piece in The New Yorker to a literary novel and beyond—in the pursuit of clear, error-free, publishable text. The best editors have a deep knowledge of and appreciation for the value that the copyediting and proofreading processes bring to a manuscript. Whether you are editing an existing manuscript or creating/preparing new documents for publication in print or on the web, you need a strong grasp of grammar and punctuation as well as an understanding of fact-checking and research to determine the accuracy of the content at hand. Editors, agents, and future freelancers need to know how these functions fit into the editorial process in a print and/or digital environment. In this course, students will learn the different processes in editorial production, with an emphasis on books. This course will cover the mechanics, tools, and workflow of copyediting and proofreading, and explain how editorial and production processes incorporate these functions. We’ll learn the dos and don’ts of copyediting and proofreading both short- and long-form manuscripts, and the responsibilities that editors (no matter the outlet) have with regard to the understanding and review of copyediting and proofreading. We’ll also discuss the role and practice of fact-checking as it relates to copy editors and proofreaders and what steps editors can take to ensure an author’s manuscript has been properly verified. In addition, the coursework will emphasize the understanding, creation, and use of style sheets, and we’ll review and practice a number of classic grammar points. Students will develop basic copyediting and proofreading skills that will allow them to study these roles more thoughtfully in other courses or develop their skills further on the job.

Over the past decade the graphic novel market has grown consistently and rapidly, bringing comic art into the publishing mainstream across all age categories, with a particularly strong growth in the children’s graphic novel space. This course examines the history of the comics format and its fascinating evolution from throw-away newspaper strips into an unignorable force on the publishing landscape. Students will learn about current trends, be able to identify the hallmarks of successful visual storytelling, understand the bookmaking processes unique to graphic novels, and explore the many ways these books are marketed and sold. Though graphic novels are the focus, this course will be useful for anyone interested in learning about the power of niche markets and genres and their transformative impact on the overall publishing marketplace.

With large audiences of targeted, devoted readers, the mystery, science fiction, and horror genres typically generate healthy sales, both print and digital, and steady growth. In this course, students will explore the unique genesis of these genres through mythology, existentialism, experimental science, Gothicism, fantasy and more, and why they strike a chord with readers. Through an exploration of themes and effective content creation, students will learn the acquisition and editing process for these genres. They will also gain an understanding of the unique challenges of working with highly creative authors who often eschew traditional writing methods. Marketing and sales strategies for mystery, science fiction, and horror books are also distinctive. Often, books in these categories are directed at specialty markets and sold not only through traditional print and online outlets, but through enthusiast conferences and events. This course will address questions such as: how does one build a career in publishing mystery, science fiction, and horror books and what are the skills one must master? What is the unique value proposition of these genres, and how can publishers best integrate them into both a traditional and niche publishing model?

From the direct-to-consumer marketing of Harlequin to the very top levels of sales and bestseller lists, romance is one of the most vibrant and commercially viable areas of publishing. In this course, we will explore the history and growth of the genre and its many formats, including category and single title romance and subgenres such as paranormal, contemporary, historical, romantic suspense, erotica and new adult. We will look at the editorial components of a successful romance novel; at the leading authors in the field; at the devoted romance audience and how to best reach it; at the emerging formats and digital-only focus of many romance publishers; at the marketing strategies; and at the shifting business models. Students will complete the course with a broad knowledge of how a sometimes controversial genre has helped the bottom-line of major publishing companies and launched successful careers for a wide range of authors. While the literary elements of the genre will be examined, the primary focus of this course will be on successful publishing of romance fiction.

The publication life-cycle of a book can be a long, many-layered series of events. From the germination of an idea in a writer’s head through a book’s final appearance on the shelves (physical or digital) and beyond, an extraordinary number of things need to fall into place in order for a book’s publication to be a success. From the first time a literary agent reads a query through signing the author, to working on first revisions, submitting the final manuscript to a well thought-out list of editors, and on to offers, contracts, subsidiary rights, and intellectual property decisions, through analyses of royalty statements— the literary agent plays a vital role in an author’s success. This course provides a complete introduction for those students considering a career as a literary agent, as well as insights for those who will be working with agents from inside a publishing house or in an organization adjacent to a literary agency (scouts, book-to-film agencies, production companies, packagers). Where and how do agents find clients and how do they nurture them and their proposals or manuscripts? How do agents cultivate relationships with editors and match clients with those editors? How do they negotiate the best deals possible for their clients while understanding the needs of the publisher? How do they serve as the author’s advocate with various stakeholders and divisions within the publishing company? As the publishing landscape continues to evolve, students will learn about the agent’s role in a wide variety of publishing models (indie publishing, straight-to-ebook deals, subscription models, profit shares, collaborations, and the greater roles production and audio have taken in the past several years) as well as the traditional route; and how an agent may retain and build worth in this ever-changing industry We will also discuss the need for improving the numbers of BIPOC authors, editors, and agents in the publishing community.

Translation underpins the circulation of literature globally and offers growing opportunities for publishers to diversify their lists and appeal to new audiences. From popular TV and film adaptations of translated books to the #namethetranslator campaign to Women in Translation month to the inauguration of a National Book Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award for Translated Literature, translated literature is on a growth trajectory in U.S. publishing. This course teaches the core skills required to be a successful editor and publisher of books in translation: read broadly, communicate concisely, with data, and build an extensive network. It addresses both the global and domestic marketplaces for literature in translation; the practicalities of reader reports; working with scouts, agents, and publishers; researching international publishing landscapes; and identifying and engaging with trends. Using real world examples and processes, students learn financial planning (profit & loss analysis, sales forecasting, budgeting); contract negotiation with agents, rights holders, and translators; and best practices in acquiring and promoting literature from another language. Students will gain a foundation in intercultural communication while learning to assess which works will make the greatest impact in translation, practice identifying potential titles, positioning them in the U.S. marketplace, and present a book for consideration at a publisher’s editorial board, complete with publishing vision and business plan. Class content will include case studies, translator perspectives, bestseller lists, sample proposal materials and contracts, and other realia.

This course provides a road map for students who want to work at a literary Agency. How do you handle a submission? What is your role in the writing process? In the publication process? What are the difficult decisions and situations you may be confronted with and how do you handle them? How do you help your client balance their creative desires and the long-term health of their career? How do you negotiate a collaboration between two writers? What do you do when an author's editor leaves the publishing house before the book has been published? What do you need to know when a book doesn't take off and what do you need to know when it does? Using real-world case studies, students will be walked through the many situations and decisions agents have to navigate with and for their clients over the course of their careers.

Ensuring that magazines meet important production and financial deadlines is the role of the managing editor. In this course, we explore the overall structure and schedule of magazine production from the viewpoint of the managing editor. Students review editorial calendars and scheduling issues; they learn the importance of streamlined copy flow and the interrelationship between the copyediting, production and managing editorial departments. They review the general editorial support provided by the managing editor as well as the role of the managing editor in legal, human resources, brand management and IT. This course also provides a thorough understanding of magazine production and print and digital workflow.

This is a time of extreme change in the industry, which means it’s a time when fortunes will be made, enduring brands will be established or maintained, and media’s next biggest stars will step into their roles. In other words, there is plenty of opportunity. Managing a digital brand in this environment requires a mix of diverse skills, from assessing return on investment to translating consumer behavior to predicting upcoming trends. It also requires keeping a calm head. This course will cover key elements of content strategy, from project management, product building, and content creation to audience development, brand marketing, and editorial workflow. Students will learn not only what it takes to manage a day-to-day digital publishing business, but how to grow an existing digital brand, including the business requirements of creating, maintaining, and broadening content-based sites. Other topics include a study of the complexities of weighing business needs with brand values; staying true to core audiences while attracting new ones; how to turn ideas into actionable product launches; and how to plan a year-long editorial calendar and product roadmap to ensure future growth. Site infrastructure, revenue models, content creation systems (CMS), and building relationships with key stakeholders, including social media teams, will also be examined.

Understanding how to produce powerful visuals is an essential part of creating books, magazines, and digital media. This course is designed for all those interested in learning the basics of how art, photography, graphics, illustrations, typography, color choice and other design elements can improve the marketing of a media product, brand, or author. Students will learn how the right book cover can make a major impact on sales, as well as how strong magazine covers and digital platforms can increase audience response. Design of covers, interiors, and marketing materials will be examined, for both print and the range of digital platforms. Through an exploration of the principal elements of art, design, and an explanation of the purpose and structure of art departments, students will be better equipped to work with art directors and sales and marketing teams on creating successful visuals that enhance the editorial content and extend a brand. The legalities of art licensing and the growing impact of AI on the art and publishing world will be Discussed. The purpose of this class is not to turn the student into a designer, but more as a guide for working successfully with Art Departments in the future of your career. Those interested in a career involving art and design will find this an important introduction to the key concepts. Assignments scale to the student’s design experience, but all students will be required to design and participate in art exercises in class and assignments to the best of their ability.

Authors, agents, and publishers are increasingly expanding their reach into multiple formats and potential revenue streams. This course will examine how books and authors move beyond the book, both creatively and in marketing, across various forms of media, with a specific focus on book to screen, large and small. Through case studies and examples, we will analyze the rationale behind brand extensions and expansion into multimedia. How does this process work, creatively? We will examine the recent rise of long form journalism and podcasts as vehicles for adaptation, and we will also assess the power of trends in publishing, and the shifting perception of literary genre. What is the interplay between books and movies and books and TV? How has the marketplace shifted as streaming media companies take a larger market share? How does all this affect the job of the agent or literary scout in terms of placing properties? Who are the new content creators and how is the audience shifting allegiances and viewing practices? These and other issues will be probed in detail from multiple viewpoints. By the end of the course, students will understand the shifting face of media and the need to think creatively and expansively about different source material as they engage with the creative process of adaptation.

In this course, students examine the digital landscape in terms of formats such as audio, podcasts, and eBooks. Students will explore the strategies for creating, distributing, and monetizing content. They will learn about audiobooks (currently one of the fastest growing segments in the industry) and podcasts, which are of major importance to book publishers. Students will study eBook formats, business models, and pricing, as well as challenges of marketing and discovery. We will explore how these digital products are conceived and learn to answer questions such as: how publishers decide whether to create, buy, or acquire technology; and how they allocate the necessary resources for digital projects. We will also explore how digital teams interact with other divisions of the company, including sales and marketing, and how a digital product is brought to market.

Creating a framework for digital content that appeals to the consumer on many levels and also serves business goals and benchmarks is a challenge and a necessity in this competitive media environment. In this course, building upon the elements learned in Web Design: From HTML to Web Destinations and, in some cases, Design Skills for Publishing: Introduction to Photoshop and InDesign, we will explore the latest trends and strategies in interactive design for web and mobile. We will study how to develop a concept and working plan for a digital property; the relationship between the digital designer and the engineering team; the factors to be considered in terms of audience, usage, function, inclusive design and much more. By examining successful (and unsuccessful) digital properties, students will have a stronger understanding of the current needs and standards for top-line digital products and design. While this course may be helpful for those interested in entering the field of User Interface Design, it is designed primarily for those who want a basic understanding of the concepts needed to work in the digital space, initiate startups and work with design and engineering teams doing so.

Success for every publisher depends on the ability to understand, build meaningful relationships, and continuously connect with their audiences. Publishers make significant investments in tools that record the content discovery and consumption habits of those audiences, and digital analysts synthesize this information to drive business decisions across editorial, product, and audience development teams. This lab-based workshop will provide a practical overview of the digital analytics process. Students will learn how to capture data in key web analytics tools, translate that data into audience insights, and make effective, data-driven recommendations to improve content creation, distribution strategy, and user experience. Students will have access to live publisher data and will learn to use industry-leading analytics tools including Google Analytics, Google Trends, Data Visualization Software, SemRush, and Facebook Pixel.

Success in publishing increasingly means knowing how to create strong digital content, whether for mobile, social media, or apps, as well as learning how to effectively migrate content from print to online and vice versa at legacy publishers. This course explores the theory and practice behind creating digital content, whether for owned and operated sites, search, or distributed platforms. Students will learn the tricks of digital editing, assigning, writing, and packaging to maximize social media and platform success and search engine optimization. They will learn about the interaction between the digital and print editor, what makes for a strong content management system and digital user experience, and how to create a site that draws eyeballs and engages loyal readers. Students will also understand how to evaluate the effectiveness of digital content through metrics and user behavior.

This is a practical, hands-on examination of the expanding role of video in the book, magazine/ digital content businesses, with a special emphasis on content creation. Students will learn the basics of video marketing strategy, production logistics, rights and clearances, release forms, shooting on location, as well as editing with professional video editing software in a computer lab. In addition to hands-on experience, students will also be required to examine an existing publishing organization (either a digital content provider, magazine, or book publisher) and identify their overall strategy as well as any innovative approaches that differentiate them from competitors. As a final project, students will work in small teams to develop, produce, edit, and deliver a promotional video that emulates those used in the publishing industry today.

This course will extend and expand the introductory concepts studied in PUBB1 GC 3455 001, The Role of Video in Publishing. In this advanced, hands-on course, students will conduct an in-depth exploration of video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro, with a specific focus on content creation for online publishing. In a laboratory workshop setting, students will practice video editing features and workflow in Premiere. Topics to be explored include preparing workflow, adding music, subtitles and key frames, audio mixing and color grading, multi-camera editing, collaborative review and quality control. Lab-based, hands-on assignments give students valuable opportunities to practice their new skills in a workshop setting.

For the publishing professional, learning to craft key messaging for specific audiences is an essential skill. No matter what position you hold, you need to sell your ideas and write dynamic, effective copy. How do you write fact sheets, catalogue and flap copy, sell sheets and other materials in the book industry, always paying close attention to keywords and metadata to improve discoverability? How do you write online product descriptions that convert to sales? In this course, students will explore the elements of strong professional writing in the publishing industry for internal use (to editors, publicists, and sales representatives, for example) as well as to bloggers, reviewers, and consumers. While the focus of the course will be on book publishing, students will also examine what makes an effective pitch letter to magazine and online editors and the art of writing press releases and general promotional copy. Crafting professional emails that elicit responses will also be discussed. While many of these skills are introduced in other courses in the program, the course will be a concentrated workshop in these important tasks.

This course provides an in-depth, practical application of the concepts that students learned in Introduction to Marketing and Branding. We will look at the development of a book-marketing plan in chronological fashion, beginning long before the publication of the book. The role of the marketing department will be examined from acquisition to backlist. We will emphasize the lessons that everyone in a publishing company has a marketing role, and that marketing professionals must constantly educate themselves about new trends and opportunities. Students will focus on opportunities in digital media including social media, virtual tours and marketing and relationship marketing to get a picture of the current landscape in book marketing. By the conclusion of the course, students will be able to create a complete book-marketing plan (including multiple components) and will have experience analyzing the effectiveness of author, brand, and corporate marketing.

Branded content is an increasingly popular marketing tactic for reaching audiences online, on social media, via podcasts and through other emerging platforms. Because branded content is also an increasingly important revenue stream within the media and publishing industry, content studios are quickly growing, giving creative thinkers new opportunities to work as content strategists, branded editors, producers and much more. In this course, you will learn the strategies for creating impactful branded content across a variety of mediums, while managing budgets, monitoring results, and adhering to the “church and state” divisions between newsrooms and studios. We’ll discuss key factors currently changing the industry landscape — including influencer promotions, cause or purpose-driven marketing, legal regulations, and emerging client categories — while also exploring the 100-year-plus history of branded content in the media, agency, and publisher worlds.

In this course students examine how media executives market publishing brands in the digital age, and in light of a highly disrupted and rapidly changing consumer marketplace. This course will explore strategies leveraged by media brands to exploit new channels, find new audiences, and maximize product/brand extensions. Marketing will cover several key areas including advertising and sponsorships; audience growth and development; consumer marketing and subscriptions. Through the study and exploration of the value of consumer insights, branded content, video and audio, events, and customer engagement, students will learn how magazine brands remain relevant and the role brand extensions play in the marketing of the core product. The goal of this class is to provide students with practical, real-world strategies on how brands can reinvent themselves; and ultimately how savvy media marketers are leveraging integrated tactics to engage new audiences and drive new sources of revenue. At the conclusion of the course, students are expected to have detailed, realistic action plans for maximizing brand media transformations.

Book, magazine, and digital media companies rely upon their public relations and corporate communications departments to disseminate their messages about new products, partnerships, corporate initiatives and news-making content across all formats. In this course, students will learn the tools of the public relations team in getting the message out as well as the best strategies for an effective PR and corporate communications campaign for books, magazines and digital media. Students will learn how to write effective press releases, how to pitch specific stories and products to the media, and how to create a PR strategy that leans heavily on social media and drives ROI. They will also learn when and how to control media coverage in cases where publicity is negative or damaging.

Utilizing research is essential for any publishing manager to determine the viability and ROI of publishing innovations. In this course, we will examine the tools and resources available in publishing books, magazines, and pure digital media, and how to manage and apply research to best accomplish business goals. We will look at research methods, both theoretical and applied, as well as primary (focus groups, surveys, and online testing) and secondary (analyzing existing data); we will also study quantitative and qualitative as well as custom and syndicated research. After a thorough review of the research tools available to the publishing community (including Nielsen, Google, Facebook, and others), we will focus on the management and application of compiled data to publishing projects. This course will serve as a valuable resource to the Capstone course.

For those students adept in the basic tools of social media, this course is designed to present a more advanced perspective and targeted marketing strategies. In this course, we will take a deep dive into real-life social media presences on each of the major social platforms. We will examine the role of social media in creating online content communities and discuss user experience and messaging. We'll also discuss the role of social media data, examine how platforms experiment with algorithms and curation, and investigate how established platforms pivot and new platforms grow in popularity. We’ll spotlight the role of the author in publishers’ social efforts versus the role of the reader/influencer, and look ahead to the platforms on publishers’ and authors’ radars, discussing how embedded company strategies support new social efforts and corporate best practices can engender social media innovation. Major components of this course include the business side of social media – analytics, corporate guidelines and strategies, best practices, customer service, crisis management, and social media planning

The expansion of digital media has opened many new doors for publishing entrepreneurs interested in creating start-up media businesses. What does it take to build a successful start-up? What are the review processes, the unique value proposition, funding options and chances of survival? In this course, we will take a close look at some recent start-ups. While the primary focus will be on book startups, we will also look at ventures in the fields of social media and technology. There will be numerous guest speakers about their experiences founding companies. This course will provide an in-depth look at start-ups as well as present the context for starting your own company.

The MS in Publishing program offers credit for unpaid internships in a publishing organization OR both academic credit and payment if an employer chooses to provide both. We offer opportunities where the intern takes on specific responsibilities that both contribute to the organization and also support the student’s academic interests. In selecting internships, we highly recommend that our students be placed in reasonably-sized companies where you will be able to observe multiple business practices, sit in on meetings, and use your internship as an important learning experience. For our part, we urge companies seeking interns to provide as rich and varied an experience as possible and to involve interns in meaningful department work. In general, internships may take place in virtually any area of a publishing company including editorial, marketing, production, advertising, business development, and online. Students may register for only two internships while pursuing a degree in publishing. The second internship must be significantly different from the first. Students will not be allowed to intern for the same imprint or magazine as their first internship. You will need the approval of the Director before pursuing a second internship. Students must commit at least 14-16 hours per week during the semester to the publishing organization to earn 1.5 elective credits.