Publishing powerhouse

24 October 2016

Leading industry figure opens new on campus publishing house

A unique teaching facility at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been revamped and reopened by a leading industry figure.

The new publishing house, based within UCLan’s Greenbank Building, was officially opened this week by David Roche, Chair of the London Book Fair and of New Writing North.

The suite, which has increased in size due to the popularity of the course, can now accommodate 28 people and is home to a range of new computers complete with the latest publishing software.

Debbie Williams, Head of UCLan Publishing and Chair of the Association of Publishing Education, said: “Over the years UCLan Publishing has grown so it’s great to see that has been recognised and we are now expanding our facilities. It’s a great learning area and I know the students are really looking forward to working in it.”

As well as plenty of books, the room also houses interactive whiteboards and conferencing facilities to allow for both internal and external interactive collaborations.

"There is no better way of increasing the employability of the students, challenging them and providing a life enhancing experience."

A major part of the MA Publishing course is the live project of commissioning and creating books. The graduates work with students on other disciplines to produce and print a book, while any profits are rolled back into other publishing house projects. In the past students have travelled abroad to work with institutions such as the Oceania Olympic Committee, in Fiji; the Immigration Museum, in Melbourne; Terra Azul, in The Azores; and the Maasai, in Kenya.

UCLan Publishing is also a fully working, trade publisher which produces books for the open market.

Debbie said: “There is no better way of increasing the employability of the students, challenging them and providing a life enhancing experience. We are making waves in the publishing world and I am extremely proud to see it grow and develop in this way.”

David Roche, Chair of the London Book Fair and of New Writing North, cutting the celebratory cake with Debbie Williams, Head of UCLan Publishing, surrounded by publishing students and staff.
David Roche, Chair of the London Book Fair and of New Writing North, cutting the celebratory cake with Debbie Williams, Head of UCLan Publishing, surrounded by publishing students and staff.

"What makes UCLan stand out is the pragmatic nature of the course, beginning with its own publishing house. There is nothing like doing the job for real and this course certainly offers that."

Publishing students have also been asked to speak about UCLan’s publishing house at the Bologna International Children’s Book Fair, the London Book Fair and at pedagogic conferences.

David Roche, who regularly visits UCLan to work with current publishing students and talk to them about the industry, commented: “What makes UCLan stand out is the pragmatic nature of the course, beginning with its own publishing house. There is nothing like doing the job for real and this course certainly offers that. Debbie Williams’ graduate employment record is remarkable with many of her former students going on to work in a very competitive industry.”