Master of Writing and Publishing

The core of the degree is the unique Bowen Street Press internship program. The Bowen Street Press operates as a real-world, student-led publishing house, which offers many opportunities for industry engagement and real-world and simulated work practice. The numbers speak for themselves: interns have rated this program with 100% for overall satisfaction, generic skills and graduate qualities over the last 2 years, as well as over 90% ratings for learner engagement, skills development, teaching quality and overall quality of education.

This degree is designed as a series of connected studios in which you take on specific industry challenges through collaborative and interdisciplinary learning and teaching strategies. Publications in both group and individual scenarios from print through to digital are the focus of the Bowen Street Press. A combination of industry-led research and individual projects in the second year of the program will ensure a high level of flexibility for students.

Lecturers and academics all have strong industry relationships and experience, and the learning environment simulates professional practice within the writing, editing and publishing industries. The studios comprise an internship day, weekend intensives, weekly face-to-face seminars and student-directed learning.

Class sizes are small to ensure personal supervision of your activity and progress.

This degree is linked to and supported by industry participation in its Program Advisory Committee, which assists in developing program content to ensure the curriculum reflects existing practice and emerging trends in the publishing industry. The content and structure is vocational, with an emphasis on the acquisition and development of practical, readily applicable professional skills.

The degree is managed by professional book industry practitioners with extensive experience in the trade and educational sectors of the industry. 

All staff in the Bowen Street Press and associated subjects are well-respected industry experts with deep industry connections and knowledge. We have partnerships and mentorships with Hardie Grant Books, Emerging Writers Festival, the Australian Publishers Association, The Garrett Podcast, Affirm Press, Scribe, Black Inc. and smaller not-for-profits such as STREAT and the Fitzroy Learning Network.

The degree teaches skills that are globally relevant, which allows students to gain employment both locally and internationally.

RMIT’s Global Mobility Office supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

You will study:

• the principles and practices of editing
• the production of print and electronic books
• publicity and marketing for books and authors
• the business and financial considerations of book publishing
• the cultural context in which the book industry operates in Australia and internationally.