ENGH 497: Topics in Creative Writing

ENGH 497-001: Stillhouse Press
(Spring 2020)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM W

Innovation Hall 336

Section Information for Spring 2020

In conjunction with Stillhouse Press, the independent small-press publisher affiliated with Fall for the Book and GMU's MFA program, ENGH497/619 will introduce students to the entire publishing "pipeline," from submitted manuscript to final product; topics covered will include selection, contracts, editing, design, artwork, printing, promotion, and sales. The course will examine the overall publishing landscape, tensions and synergy between digital vs. paper publication, the nature and importance of collaboration in publishing, and the evolving emphasis on publication and production in graduate and undergraduate English studies. Course guests may include small-press publishers, authors, and editors.

ENGH497/619 will be valuable for student writers seeking to understand the ever-changing roles and responsibilities of authors in the publication and promotion of their own work; it will also be valuable for students considering post-graduate jobs or careers at/with small presses, large publishing houses, literary agencies, book-centered web sites and periodicals, and English departments, to name a few. Assignments will be flexible and include hands-on work with Stillhouse, analyses of non-Stillhouse books and presses, and, more generally, research into the current publishing landscape. Graduate students (those taking ENGH619) will contribute additional writing that examines the role of publishing and production in MFA departments and undergraduate English programs.

To take ENGH497 or ENGH619, students must be reading for or doing other work with Stillhouse Press during the spring semester. Note that any student signing up will be included in the pool of readers or other staff for Stillhouse in the spring--don't worry if you're not already working with the press before the class is offered. 

You must contact Scott W. Berg, instructor and Stillhouse Press editorial advisor, at sberg1@gmu.edu, to receive a registration override into the course. The section numbers are ENGH497-001 and ENGH619-002.

ENGH 497 001 enrollment is controlled. Contact Professor Berg (sberg1@gmu.edu) for permission to register.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Intensive practice in creative writing and study of creative process. Workshop course. Concentrates on specialized literary type other than short story or poetry such as playwriting, screenwriting, children's literature, travel literature, autobiography, gothic novel, or translation. Notes: For students already writing original creative work. Students must submit typed manuscript at least one week before registration. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 396 or equivalent and manuscript review. Enrollment is controlled. Contact instructor for manuscript guidelines.
Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.