This module is required because students on the MA in Creative Writing (and all creative writers) need to develop a rigorous standard of focused, structured, critical reflection on their work, and an awareness of the changing realities of contemporary publishing. The module is intended to consolidate the core aims of the Creative Writing MA, to extend the gains made in workshop interaction and to introduce the student to the publishing industry. To develop the student's ability to plan, structure, organise, develop and control a major piece of her/his literary or dramatic work, for example a novel, stage play, screenplay or collection of short stories. To provide practice through a range of exercises specifically designed for each individual student. To provide the valuable experience of working one-on-one with an editor who is also a published novelist. To provide the valuable experience of engagement with other professionals from the publishing industry, for example, a literary agent, a commissioning editor, a publisher.

Line-editing; sub-editing; literary project development and management; literary research; presentation of literary and/or dramatic work for consideration for publication or performance; basics of commercial publishing and self-publishing; roles and responsibilities of an author, literary agent, editor, proof-reader; essentials of copyright and other rights in literary works.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Describe the disciplines of literary project management and development. Plan and structure a large-scale creative writing project. Critique their own literary or dramatic work (and the work of others) to a high standard. Understand the basics of the publishing industry, the role of authors and editors in that industry, and the professional expectations that authors are required to meet.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Work collaboratively and productively with an editor Organise and participate in face-to-face discussions about their own literary work and the work of others.

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This module will be taught one-to-one by the Frank McCourt Chair of Creative Writing with input from other working novelists and interactions with publishing industry professionals. The module will be tailored to the requirements of each student. Students will spend one hour per fortnight engaged in close reading and line-by-line discussion of a piece of their literary work, and further time in planning the development of the project from which that piece comes. Since each student's literary work is unique, each student will have a strong role in programming further aspects of their time on the module. Some will want detailed help with the planning and organisation of the first draft of a novel or screenplay; others might need advice on which publisher or literary agent to approach. The module will provide the experience of working in a structured way with an editor, towards agreed and defined goals, and an opportunity for students to reflect on future possible directions for their creative writing.