PUBLISHING FUTURES LAB
presents
PUBLISHINGFUTURESLAB.com
PUBLISHING GRADUATE SHOWCASE
Inspiring the Next Generation of Publishers in the South West Bath Spa University’s Publishing team initiated and supported the Society of Young Publishers (SYP) in developing the first South West branch of this prestigious and influential organisation.
S
YP South West Chair and Publishing Lecturer, Jo de Vries, is joined by our BA and MA students in forming the new regional committee along with publishers and university students from across the region.
The December launch was held in the Commons atrium with Barry Cunningham, Publisher at Chicken House and J.K. Rowling’s first editor, speaking about the power of books and the importance of the SYP network in encouraging the next
New Publishing & Journalism Courses In September 2018, Bath Spa University launched a new BA Journalism & Publishing (JPU) course to create the digital storytellers of the future. The Times featured our world’s first MA Children’s Publishing course. This year, the JPU students have worked with a BBC producer in storytelling workshops and created digital campaigns on environmental and social
issues. MA students made pop-up books, developed publishing strategies and prototypes, and enjoyed work experience at HarperCollins, Book Island and The Bookseller.
Networking Publishing student Honey Debney-Succoia interviewing Fromebased publisher, Barry Cunningham
generation. In March, the SYP invited Publishing Subject Leader Katharine Reeve and Jo de Vries to speak about careers in publishing at a sell-out London Book Fair seminar. Students are encouraged to join the SYP SW and take
part in a wide range of events such as the highly popular ‘Making Magazines’ evening, held this April. Our courses, along with the new regional SYP, will boost diversity in the industry and create opportunities for young people.
100% Employability Although it’s always sad to see graduating students leave us, it’s also exciting to watch as individual careers develop. Our specialist employability strategy has seen astonishing results this year with 100% of our graduates employed and 77% in managerial or professional jobs, or postgraduate study (HESA, 2018). We believe it’s important to embed work experience and industry briefs into module design, supported by industry collaboration,
our Publishing Futures Lab and advice from current employers and recruitment agents. We encourage students to be ambitious and to tailor assignments to their interests. This helps create stunning and relevant portfolios demonstrating not only the experience that they have gained in live industry briefs but also their proficiency with publishing tools and content management systems, and their ability to create impressive content in a range of print and digital formats.
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Publishing Graduates 2019
Chloe Anderson
Rhiannan Bastin
Caitlin Beaumont
While studying English Literature and Publishing, I have developed numerous skills that I am confident using to further my chosen career as a primary school teacher. I have gained extensive experience in how to thoroughly research a particular topic and how to reflect in an academic and critical way. I have gained experience presenting, in both a traditional academic setting and also a professional business atmosphere; preparing and giving these presentations has taught me how to condense information and engage the audience with succinct points. Over the next couple of years I am planning to become a qualified teacher; with my joint honours degree I feel confident using all of the skills that I have developed.
Majoring in Business and Management with a minor in Publishing, I have developed a variety of skills in areas useful to both fields, including digital publishing strategy and content creation. In addition, I can now competently use software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office. While at Bath Spa University, I undertook work experience within a marketing department, which confirmed my career ambitions within the business sector.
As a student at Bath Spa University studying Publishing and English Literature I have been able to tailor my learning experience to my interests: creating and learning about publications with an emphasis on travel, art, writing and education. In 2015, my classmates and I went to the nationals of Young Enterprise with our trilogy of children’s books designed to teach dyslexic children language and reading skills. The experience inspired me to pursue a career in education or children’s publishing; since then I have been working on independent writing projects and gaining experience in the education sector, including teaching internationally in hospitals and in prisons. I hope this will enable me to find my publishing niche.
rhiannanmichelle@hotmail.co.uk
chloeanderson453@gmail.com caitlin.beaumont16@bathspa.ac.uk
New Creators
Joseph Buchan Studying Creative Writing and Publishing has been a valuable experience that has enabled me to develop the skills I need for my plans after university. My goal is to become a self-published author, and the publishing course has given me great insights into the market, while teaching me the technical skills I need to create eBooks and design covers. During the course, I have acquired WordPress proficiency and am now able to create websites; I already maintain my own film website, which I hope to use as a marketing tool for my books. I’m looking forward to attaining my goals using everything I’ve learned during my time here.
Emily ChappellHolland
Peter Clark
My love of reading – and subsequent desire to be a part of the process of creating books – has increased significantly during my time as an undergraduate at Bath Spa University and I have discovered that my passion lies in the editing side of publishing. Majoring in English Literature and minoring in Publishing has enabled me to acquire skills that can be applied to a fast-paced work environment, honing my ability to write concisely and eloquently, perfecting my proofreading, and increasing my proficiency in industry-specific software, including InDesign, Photoshop and Sigil.
I studied Criminology and Publishing at Bath Spa University, a combination that reflects my interest in investigative journalism, what makes crime occur and how it is reported. In 2018, I was the commissioning editor for the news section of Milk magazine and during my time at university I have also written several articles for the magazine. As well as journalism, I also have a keen interest in history, geopolitics and design, as well as football and gaming. Following on from university, I plan to further develop my web design skills with the intention of creating my own business using the lessons, skills and techniques that I have gained during my time here.
emilychappellholland@hotmail.co.uk
peter.clark62@gmx.com
joseph.buchan16@bathspa.ac.uk
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Charlotte Cooper
Rebekah Crook
Emma Curtis
Completing a Publishing and Heritage degree at Bath Spa University has enabled me to develop my skills in both the digital and working world. I have benefitted from work placements at the Roman Baths, during which I created a website for the new Victorian Spa project, and at Chawton House, where I created an exhibition on Jane Austen’s reading. I am a keen traveller and my work has often focused on this, with websites and book designs based on my love for the slow travel movement and a more natural way of life. I have begun my career at Gilbert White and The Oates Collections as a wedding and events manager and look forward to using what I have learnt at Bath Spa University.
Having majored in Publishing with Creative Writing as a minor, I have developed an appreciation of the time, effort and ingenuity that go into producing print and digital media. I have immeasurably improved my proofreading and editorial skills, become proficient with InDesign and WordPress, and – thanks to Create Lab and the Independent Magazines project – I also have design experience. I have discovered a passion for the aesthetics of small, independent publications, and nurtured my interest in poetry in particular.
I have developed a keen interest in editorial and design work during three years studying Publishing and Media Communications as a joint honours degree at Bath Spa University. Making the most of my passion for photography and background in art, I have amassed a strong portfolio, showcasing my skills in industry-relevant software including InDesign and Photoshop, which I use to design magazines and edit photographs. Time as an intern at The SelfPublishing Partnership in Bath has given me a deeper understanding of how the publishing industry functions, an experience I will continue to build upon to achieve the best I can in the future.
bekacrook@gmail.com
emma.curtis16@bathspa.ac.uk lottie_cooper@hotmail.co.uk
New Creators
Alysha Dahlgren Usually found with a cup of tea in one hand and a plan in the other, I have flourished as a creative individual during my three years as a Publishing student and continued to explore and hone new skills. After joining from a textile art and humanities background, I found publishing afforded new uses for my art skills, transforming them from physical to digital. Throughout my degree and personal projects, I’ve applied these skills to social media marketing, producing engaging copy and vibrant photography. I’ve created content and campaigns for charities, businesses and personal projects. My degree has given me the skills and experience to excel in a creative publishing role. alysha.j.dahlgren@gmail.com
Honey DebneySuccoia As a Publishing student, I’ve had the opportunity to finesse my editorial design skills and hone my writing abilities. I have secured a number of different work experience opportunities with companies such as the BBC and FilmBath. My favourite was an internship with the Art Director of Oh Comely magazine which led to multiple commissions with the magazine after my internship ended. I have also acted as the Secretary of the Bath Spa Illustration Society during my second and third year at Bath Spa. Following university, I am looking to work in a design-based role within content creation and to continue my independent magazine, Comme Il Faut, which I developed and produced in my second and third year. honeydebneysuccoia@gmail.com
Charlotte Ewing By combining Business and Management with Publishing I have been able to explore a diverse range of subjects from the fields of politics, business and culture, while developing the skills needed to express these ideas creatively. My dream job would be on the marketing team of a publishing house that specialises in women’s fiction, which would enable me to combine the best of both my degree subjects in an interesting and fulfilling career. charlotteewing7@gmail.com
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Lucy Fleming
Holly Gibbs
Edward Glasscote
I have nurtured my passion for writing, art and design, and social innovation while studying for a joint Creative Writing and Publishing degree. Concentrating on book publishing and enterprise, I have gained knowledge and skills that have enabled me to take on projects that have both tested and inspired me. These include work for the art and design department of the University of Parma; Creativity & Curiosity: Moons, an art/science collaboration exhibition; and my current project, The Ethical Issue – a website offering ethical city guides across the UK, a project I plan to continue after graduation.
Originally applying to Bath Spa to study English Literature, I enjoyed the optional publishing module so much that I decided to take a combined degree. Being able to work a creative subject into my degree was amazing because it gave me a break from the heavy reading and essay writing of English Lit! Being an avid bookworm, I was intrigued by the process of book publishing, with copyediting and proofreading particularly attracting my attention. Creating blog posts and websites using WordPress has also been a highlight of my time here. As I work towards a teaching qualification, I hope that I can use all these new skills to create fun activities and designs for the classroom.
Studying for a joint degree in History and Publishing has enabled me to indulge my diverse interests – not only history, but also science, geography and technology – and cultivate a broad range of skills. I am keen to use my publishing experience to create magazine content about the subjects I love, and have been honing my editorial abilities, grabbing every opportunity to practise them throughout the course of my degree. As the editor of Milk magazine I have learnt an incredible amount about the planning and production of magazines, project management and working as part of a larger collective.
lucyflem@live.com
holly.gibbs@btinternet.com
edwardglasscote@gmail.com
New Creators
Katie Goss-Jones
Chloe Higgins
Miriam Irwin
A joint honours degree in Media Communications and Publishing at Bath Spa University has given me a range of valuable skills that will equip me for a career in the creative industries. I have developed a keen interest in publishing, particularly social media, marketing and design. My publishing modules included creating a magazine, a sample for a children’s book, an app prototype, and a website re-design – all using InDesign, Photoshop and WordPress. In my final year, the course provided me with invaluable industry experience, arranging for me to work on live projects including Bath Festival and The Prophet ERP Food Convention.
While completing a combined degree in English Literature and Publishing I worked as a lifeguard to support myself while living away from home. Standout projects from my publishing modules include a marketing plan for an independent magazine, an app and a new book proposal. I travel frequently, and hope to combine this passion with my newfound skills to pursue a career in marketing for a travel company.
After really enjoying the wide range of assignments in my first year of a joint Publishing and English Literature degree I decided to major in Publishing, realising the freedom and creativity it allows. The idea of being able to make a book is what initially inspired me, and I have found the editorial aspects of the degree some of the most interesting. Creating layouts and books in InDesign has also been particularly engaging since it is entirely new to me. After finishing my degree, I hope to be able to take the new skills I have developed into an editorial role in a publishing house.
ktgossjones@gmail.com
chloealicia96@gmail.com
miriam.irwin@hotmail.co.uk
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Paige Mackie
Laura Mason
Jessica Monksfield
My Publishing degree has helped me realise where my strengths and passions lie. Through the course I have worked on some incredible projects that have allowed me to create brands, manage campaigns, and manage marketing teams on real-life productions such as Milk magazine. I immediately knew that I loved building strong brands and following their journey. This year, as President of the Pole Society I succeeded in this by helping us to rebrand and build a large community, for which we received the Most Improved Society award. This was an amazing, eye-opening experience. As I begin to pursue my dream career in campaign management in London, I hope it is just the first award of many to come.
While studying English Literature and Publishing I have learned and honed important skills such as writing concise copy for publication and marketing products to a target audience. Throughout the three years of my degree I have created multiple innovative brands and publications to be proud of. In my final year, I had the opportunity to work with Crimson Publishing, re-designing and updating the covers of their Pocket Bible series. Working on numerous different projects, both independent and collaborative, I have become proficient in industry-standard software including InDesign, Photoshop, WordPress, and Twixl. I have gained specific experience in editorial, marketing, and social media roles which will equip me for a future in children’s book publishing.
Studying Publishing has given me extensive industry insight, and driven me to seek out opportunities that increase my employability. Consequently, I’ve realised that I can be an asset to any company and have the opportunity to pursue a career of my choice. This year, I’ve worked on my poetry collection, For My Mother, maintained my blog Retro Remedy and written for external projects. I have worked on a social media project for Bath Festivals, for whom I also worked in 2018. I have also written for Simply Crochet (Immediate Media) which has been a valuable addition to my portfolio and has given me confidence in my unique voice and ability to write.
paige.mackie16@bathspa.ac.uk lauraimason2008@gmail.com
jessicamonksfield1@gmail.com
New Creators
Rhiannon Morris
Gemma Nicholls
Emma Oliver
I combined Creative Writing with Publishing because I wanted to learn more about the industry. As a devoted bookworm, my heart lies within the pages of fiction books, and my time at Bath Spa University has only encouraged this further. Studying publishing has allowed me to gain inside knowledge of the book trade and keep up with the trends, both digitally and in print. The skills this course instills have influenced how I edit my own fiction, how I edit for other writers, and opened options for getting our own writing out into the market by teaching us the importance of digital platforms. I hope to continue to improve my fiction writing and editing.
Studying both Publishing and Creative Writing has enabled me to explore not only the business of publishing, but also the art of creating original material. Each year my chosen subjects complemented each other, therefore I believe my joint degree will prove beneficial in the future and give me an extra edge. Over the past three years, I found a passion for editing and proofreading – I’m a born perfectionist and have a keen eye for errors. Creative writing covered both fiction and writing for magazines, so I feel confident that I can go into either the book or magazine publishing industries. I’ve worked as a commissioning editor on the student magazine, Milk, as well as a freelance proofreader for an advertisement agency.
During my degree in Publishing with Media Communications I have not only enhanced my editorial and design skills, but also gained three years’ experience working with InDesign, Photoshop and WordPress. I’ve undertaken a variety of roles, including lifestyle commissioning editor for Milk magazine and social media manager for SpaLife magazine. I’ve also produced marketing campaigns for Visit Bath and Crimson Publishing, as well as designing an award-winning prototype for a new app called Amplified. Accumulating these skills allowed me to confidently create my own independent lifestyle magazine, Switch. I intend to pursue a career in marketing and have just got a job in PR.
rhihollymorris@gmail.com
gemmanicholls98@hotmail.co.uk
emmaeloliver@gmail.com
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Rosie Pankhurst
Jessie Parker
Kevin Peake
My interest in publishing developed when I worked as a bookseller – I loved getting an insight into the book trade and getting to talk about books all day, every day. During my degree I developed an interest in the visual and physical aspects of publishing, and am keen to pursue a career in production to enhance that. For the last two years, I have acted as publicist for the Publishing & Journalism Society at Bath Spa University, and have really enjoyed organising events and working alongside other students. I will be starting an MA in American Literature in September, but am currently looking for internships or work experience for the summer months.
My time at Bath Spa University has seen me explore visual design and editorial content in more ways than I had anticipated. I’ve gained insight into how publishing can be relevant to a multitude of industries, and how it can enact social change when our skills are put to good use. During my time on the course I worked on several projects that highlighted widespread issues, including sustainability, homelessness and tackling stereotypes. I’m seeking relevant work in nearby Bristol, but can imagine coming back to Bath some day to continue some of the projects I’ve started on my degree.
As an author who has struggled to find a publisher, the best way to get my books out there was to self-publish them – which is what led me to study Creative Writing and Publishing. My publishing career began the moment I formed Crystal Peake Publisher Ltd in 2018, and I have now published five books worldwide. My favourite part of running a publishing company is seeing my authors’ books go from a rough manuscript to their final perfected prints. I am passionate about what I do, and I strive to continually improve as a writer and a publisher.
rosiepankhurst@aol.com
jessieroseparker@hotmail.co.uk
kevin@crystalpeake.co.uk
New Creators
Lucy Potts
Hope Richardson
Victoria Roe
Completing a joint honours degree in Media Communications and Publishing enabled me to develop new skills (including becoming proficient in WordPress and InDesign) that I might not necessarily have picked up on a single-subject degree. I was lucky enough to further my media communications studies with a semester in Brisbane, Australia, where I gained a new understanding of how the media industry differs around the world. In my final year, I was the newsletter editor and designer for Milk magazine. It was in this module that I realised my skill-set is best suited to a career within magazine marketing.
During my three years studying at Bath Spa University, I have been lucky enough to explore the many sides of the publishing industry. My passion continues to be the marketing and PR side of the publishing world and in my final year has culminated in event coordination. I hope to pursue this passion further and am looking to get any experience I can within the events and brand marketing industry. I will also be working with the Society of Young Publishers, volunteering on their events team.
Majoring in English with a minor in Publishing, I have been able to explore a wide range of topics including philosophy, cultural issues and literature. During my time at Bath Spa University, I have realised how these passions can be applied practically and lead to a fulfilling career. With a particular interest in how books can educate, inspire and comfort readers, I aspire to work for a publishing company that does all of the above while keeping pace with the modern world. I want to create change and impact, one reader at a time, through powerful marketing campaigns. Writing reviews, press releases and copywriting, along with Photoshop and InDesign skills, have helped me gain relevant work experience.
lucybpotts@gmail.com
hope.richardson52@gmail.com
toria.roe@gmail.com
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Maya Swift
Matt Thorpe-Coles
Emily Trench
My interest in publishing began in my first year of a degree in English Literature and Publishing at Bath Spa University. I most enjoyed learning how to come up with innovative ideas and create content for projects ranging from book marketing to the magazine and digital publishing industries. My favourite aspects of the course have been book marketing and advertising because this is the area where my content creation skills developed the most. As I come to the end of my time at university I will be looking for internships or work experience over the summer to engage more with the publishing industry in a professional environment.
The last three years studying publishing at Bath Spa University have taught me critical skills that will help me secure both work and personal publication opportunities. I am moving onto a Master’s in creative writing, but plan to pursue work in the publishing industry alongside it. I will continue with the freelance editorial and marketing work that I picked up while studying for my degree. I’m also keen to continue producing my small literary journal, flash & cinder; eventually I want to turn this into an app, which I prototyped during my third year of study. My degree opened many doors for me and I’m excited to see where the next one might lead.
Having come to Bath Spa University to study English Literature, I was delighted to change to Publishing as a major because it offered a better fit with my interests and future career plans. I have picked up valuable skills and am now confident using InDesign and Photoshop, as well as other digital platforms including WordPress and Twixl. The modules that I found the most rewarding were those that included aspects of marketing and social media – as someone who would like to go into public relations in the beauty industry, I found them very useful. I also gained practical experience by managing Milk magazine’s social media, and loved working as part of a team to produce engaging content.
maya.swift16@bathspa.ac.uk matthew.coles16@bathspa.ac.uk
emilytrench@icloud.com
New Creators
Peri Trott
Lauren True
Jemima Ung
Studying for a joint degree in Heritage and Publishing provided the rare opportunity to utilise my publishing skills in a different sector; for example, developing a digital interpretation of the Victorian spa and laundry building on Swallow Street for the Roman Baths Archway Project. The various group projects and placements that we undertook gave me industry insight, while the publishing aspect of my degree in particular developed my keen interest in working within the events sector, ideally based at a heritage location. As I work towards this goal, I hope to bring my publishing skills to the fore, and incorporate them within my future roles.
Having always been a lover of the written word, I am passionate about reading, writing and producing quality content. I am particularly interested in the editorial side of publishing, because I find creating and refining texts very rewarding, and love putting my natural attention to detail to work. I chose modules within both English Literature and Publishing that reflect my drive to create, select and edit content, such as Create Lab and The Editor. Various forms of industry experience and networking sparked my interest in magazine publishing and I am currently working as a freelancer for Anthem Publishing.
After studying for a joint Publishing and History of Art and Design degree, I hope to work in the editorial and design side of the art publishing industry. During my time at Bath Spa University, I have brought knowledge and skills from both my degree disciplines into a diverse range of projects that have excited and challenged me. Working on Creativity & Curiosity: Moons, an artist-led art/science project for the art and design department of the University of Parma, and on an artist website redesign have been opportunities that helped me embed myself in the art publishing world. I was the brand designer for a publishing venture project as well as editor-in-chief and art director for the student magazine, SpaLife.
ltrue98@gmail.com peritrott@gmail.com
jemima.ung16@bathspa.ac.uk
G R A D U AT E S H O W C A S E
Oliver Wheater
Derron Wignal
Evelyn Winter
I have been keeping an online poetry blog since I was 14 years old, and it now attracts a wide range of readers from around the world, from the Americas to Scotland. I have been published in the Somerset Gazette and read my poetry on BBC Somerset. Studying Creative Writing and Publishing at Bath Spa University has given me the tools to selfpublish a poetry/flash fiction zine, and I am currently writing my debut poetry pamphlet, Wings, about domestic violence. I particularly enjoy writing flash fiction that explores magical realism.
Bath Spa University has enabled me to really hone my skills and become proficient in the visual design area of publishing, learning the fundamental technical aspects and being given the opportunity to collaborate with others as well as add my own unique contributions. Studying Publishing with Business has given me insights into how the industry works as well as valuable experience in creating business models and understanding marketing. My next steps are to seek relevant work in Bristol, a city that offers many opportunities to utilise the skills acquired from both disciplines.
My degree allowed me to explore different aspects of publishing and discover what excites me the most: marketing, promotion and design. I was able to employ my new skills when working with Handheld Press this year; I researched and collated media list data and used InDesign and Photoshop to create social media marketing materials. Taking two business modules also inspired my passion for entrepreneurship. My group won first prize in the publishing venture competition with our sustainable fashion app Re-thread, which got a special mention for its originality, viability and design. I’m now working on my own start-up: a sustainable, vegan and allergen-friendly chocolate box company. Get in touch to find out more!
owheater16@gmail.com derron.wignal@outlook.com
eveywinter@btinternet.com
EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION & COLLABORATION WORKING IN TEAMS, producing real content, managing projects and dealing with real clients gives students invaluable industry-relevant experiences during the Publishing course at Bath Spa. Students in their third year undertake a number of projects with industry partners, this year working on a wide range of high-profile live briefs, from running social media campaigns for Visit Bath and developing a launch plan for one of The History Press’s lead titles, to finding new audiences for established brand Time Out and producing materials for an international design and art museum collaboration with the University of Parma. One student produced the catalogue for an international art and science exhibition, Creativity & Curiosity. The breadth of these projects is testament to the student skill-set across the course. Each team embraced the opportunity to demonstrate creative and critical approaches to the challenges they were presented with and worked effectively together to deliver at an impressive level. One industry partner, Lyndsey Mayhew, Head of PR & Marketing at Crimson Publishing, commented that the team produced ‘a very professional result that I would expect an agency to deliver.’
As well as being ready to contribute in the workplace effectively, today’s graduates will be creating and inventing the jobs of tomorrow and the Publishing Venture project gives students free reign to imagine new ways of using content digitally. Prototype apps produced included a network linking charity shops to promote ethical clothing choices and a creative ‘un-blocker’ service for writers. *
PRINT & DIGITAL FROM CHILDREN’S STORIES to lifestyle magazines, non-fiction books and web content, students have the chance to explore publishing in various print and digital formats in their time at Bath Spa. After last year’s Milk magazine was shortlisted for an international award, this year’s team have created a digital edition on the theme of ‘Curiosity’ as part of their multiplatform publishing strategy. They also collaborated on a highly successful networking event with the Society of Young Publishers South West, bringing together students and graduates with speakers from the magazine industry. Book proposals in the Commissioning Editor module featured a number of highly marketable ideas from hard-hitting current affairs to art and design titles, with the students producing blads and a complete set of industry-standard proposal documents that would allow them to pitch their ideas to any Commissioning Editor in the industry. Students in the Children’s Publishing module this year produced some original and charming book samplers, including a pop-up version of Little Red Riding Hood and the story of a lost otter, demonstrating their understanding of how to create style and character in their stories, illustrations and layouts. *
THE CURIOSIT Y ISSUE
Produced by the Publishing Futures Lab Bath Spa University © 2019