Working with the outlined publishing models, identify the various roles you (and potentially others) will be undertaking for assignment five. For example, you’re likely to be writing your own content, designing your book, editing and reviewing it. You may also be involved in the production, printing and distribution process. Consider each aspect of the book assignment and briefly list what roles you think you’ll be doing, and what these roles entail. Also make notes of the roles of others who might be involved in your assignment and what their contribution is.
Roles
The traditional model for publishing is:
Writer – Publisher – Editor – Designer – Production – Printer – Distribution – Retail
However there are other models depending on the type of book to be produced; the scale at which it is produced; the cost; and who commissioned it etc.. Below are some more non-traditional publishing models:
Publisher – Writer – Editor – Designer – Production – Printer – Distribution – Retail
Editor – Publisher – Writer – Designer – Production – Printer – Distribution – Retail
Illustrator/Designer/Photographer – Writer – Publisher – Editor – Production – Printer – Distribution – Retail
Responsibilities
Assignment 5 would be most suited to a hybrid approach of the first and last examples where writer/illustrator/designer/photographer would be the starting point as it would be me creating most of the content for the book.
I again looked at Andrew Haslam’s Book design, where I knew there was a list of the different roles that could be involved in publishing a book. I wanted to see which were pertinent to what I was going to create for Assignment 5.
- Author/Writer: This would be me and would consist of writing the brief for the chosen subject; researching and writing the content.
- Agents: Not needed at this stage.
- Publisher: As the book isn’t being sold, I won’t need a publisher.
- Book Packager: This is mostly my role again as I will be the one creating the overall book except for production. Marketing would also be part of a book packager’s role.
- Commissioning Editor: This role would not be needed as such, but I would be choosing which book to produce for the final design.
- Editor: I would be responsible for editing the book with some input from my peers.
- Proofreader: I would also be proofreader for the book, but may enlist someone else to double check my checking!
- Consultant: This role is not needed. However, the book is supposed to be about something I know, so you could say I will be my own consultant.
- Reader: This role would need to be someone impartial with a knowledge of the chosen subject. I suppose this would be my tutor of fellow designers.
- Art Director: This role would be filled by myself with input from my peers.
- Designer: As above.
- Picture Researcher: This again would be myself and I would have to source suitable imagery for the book and check on any licensing that may be needed.
- Permissions Manager: This role would be for me to sort out if any text or imagery used needs any specific permissions or fees paid.
- Image-makers: Illustrator/photographer/cartographer: This again would be down to me in the case of this assignment. But external contractors could be used.
- Rights Manager: Not needed for this assignment but would be needed if contracts etc. were required between different members of the publishing process.
- Print Buyer/Production Manager: This role would be done by myself in this case, especially when it comes to production of a physical book with costings and liaising with printers etc..
- Printer: The printer would most likely be an external company which would need to be researched and a relationship cultivated with to achieve the best results when producing the book.
- Print Finisher: This would also be done in-house at the printers as this is a specialist role, unless the book is to be hand-finished.
- Binder: As above
- Distribution Manager: This role will not be needed for a job of this type unless it went into full production.
- Sales Representative: As above.
- Retailer: As above. However there is scope for a small run being sold independently.
Image credit: The Graphic, June 30, 1877, p617. Retrieved from old-print.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4829359
craig519809.home.blog 