Posted: 19/12/17
Budding writers get literary tips
Advice on the literary industry and how to get into publishing was offered to A Level students last week at West Nottinghamshire College.
Dr David Barker (3rd left, front row) with A Level students and tutor Alison (1st left, back row)
Dr David Barker, senior lecturer in publishing at University of Derby visited English literature and English language students at the college’s Derby Road campus on Thursday (14 December).
David gave a presentation on the different kinds of jobs within the publishing industry and spoke about his experience in the sector.
Before lecturing at the university, David was an editor for Bloomsbury publishers in London and then editorial director for Bloomsbury in New York. He described how the industry works and encouraged students to pursue their goals of getting into the publishing industry.
David said: “There has always been an air of mystery about the publishing industry, so I’ve tried to de-mystify this for students. It’s not complicated at all and it’s a very creative community to get into and more people should get involved.
“It is very competitive but if you’re determined to get into publishing then go for it.”
Students spoke to David about their extra-curricular creative writing classes and how they’re going to be working closely with their tutor Alison Lincoln to get a compilation of their creative writing and poetry and have it published and sell the books to raise money for charity.”
English literature and language student Fred Henderson said: “It’s been a great opportunity to speak to David about the industry and hear his experiences, especially of how to work towards getting your own written material published.
“I’m a keen sci-fi and fantasy writer and it’s good to be able to work with the creative writing group at college to express my work.”
