Welcome to Wednesday Writer's Wisdom
Everyone knows that self-publishing is the fastest growing branch of the industry. Its' become a global phenomenon, with the commercial success of stories, such as 50 Shades of Gray. But despite all the negative light in which self-publishing has been viewed, the DIY-ers are taking over the publishing world.
Self-publishing has stopped being that 'Dirty Word,' used by publishing companies for those who don't have the goods to go the traditional route. Especially now that more legitimate authors have started to opt out and self-publish.
But a Degree in Self-Publishing?
The idea of launching a self-publishing MA spring from the mind of course, leader Debbie Williams at The University of Central Lancashire. "Everyone has a book in them –said Williams. "Our new MA will help guide these individuals through the process to help them realise the dream of seeing their book in print."
Is this just a creative course with a different name?
According to Williams, it's a completely different animal. The course will consist of a mix of lectures, seminars and workshops, featuring expert industry speakers, with modules to include production, marketing and the creation of ebooks.
I wonder why no one has thought of this before? I mean, what a platform to tap into. Here are some Stats on Self-Publishing according to Bowker’s latest self-publishing report. The amount of self-published book titles available in the marketplace went up 59% between 2011 and 2012 and a massive 422% in 2007. Digital self-publishing also continues to boom, accounting for 40% of self-published titles in the US in 2012, up from just 11% in 2007, according to Bowker.
UCLAN is the first self-publishing MA in the world. Williams hope is that students will go on to publish future bestsellers, like the university's former student Kerry Wilkinson, who self-published his Jessica Daniel crime series and hit Amazon's bestseller charts.
So a degree in Self-publishing, why not?
Copyright © 2013 Glynis Rankin
A degree in self publishing...I think that's great...and along with that a good course in spelling and grammar.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's included Laz, because without the basic, what's the point !
DeleteTime to change my major, I think.
ReplyDeleteMe too Steve! :)
DeleteHmmmm ... they offer degrees in most everything else; why not tap into a fast growing field? But I would also agree that they need to include spelling, grammar and punctuation "lectures, seminars and workshops" in conjunction with their MA degree course in self publishing.
ReplyDeleteI agree too John! I took those courses many years ago, and now that I'm taking this creative course. I find that I need more classes in simple grammar.
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