Exercise 1: What is your role?

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.

Publishing Models

Model 1

Writer – Publisher – Editor – Designer – Production – Printer – Distribution – Retail

Model 2

Artist/Designer/Author – Publisher – Editor – Production – Printer – Distribution – Retail

I feel that for my final assignment, I will use model 2 because I will be the designer, the artist and the author, as I might be making my own book. So it's more like the self-publishing model, rather than the traditional publishing model, where each department is responsible for each step in the publishing process. With model 2, I will make all content and design decisions, combine the technical and creative roles and manage the production of the book.

1. Artist/Designer/Author/Illustrator

What this might entail:

• Researching ideas in books, online and/or at exhibitions.

• Drawing or using/producing images for the book, while maintaining the same style, tone and format of the book.

• Choosing images or producing images, possibly using Photoshop to alter the images.

• Looking at the content and changing it if necessary, or altering the content to fit the book.

• Creating content that is unique.

• Choosing Typefaces appropriate to the book.

• Choosing a grid for the book.

• Creating/writing a storyline if necessary.

• Binding/folding options for the book.

• Choosing paper stock, format and sizes.

• Reader Interaction with the book.

2. Publisher

What this might entail:

• Trying to decide who the target audience is, children, adults or a niche market.

• Decide on the size and format of the book.

• Possible pricing.

• If the book will be digital or printed

• How the book will be distributed.

3. Editor

What this might entail:

• Proofreading the text to make sure it is correct, e.g. grammar and spelling.

• Editing the text if necessary.

• Cutting out content that is irrelevant.

• Maintain the same voice throughout the book.

4. Production

What this might entail:

• Flat planning.

• If being printed, the method, e.g., laser, inkjet, or digital.

• Make sure files are ready for print, e.g. crop and bleed.

• Make sure the colour settings are correct, RGB for digital or CMYK for print.

• Choosing the right paper stock and GSM.

• Binding methods.

• Mock-ups.

5. Printing

What this might entail:

• Might be professional or by myself.

• Printing the pages/cover.

• Trimming the edges.

• Folding.

• Stitching or gluing the book together.

• Putting the book together.

6. Distribution

What this might entail:

• Social media advertising

• Book launches

• Marketing

• Advertising

• Writing short editorial

Reflection

When looking at the roles for this exercise and choosing a model to represent what I would use for my final assignment, it became clear that the process involves many steps, whether I use Model 1 or Model 2. The role isn't just a task but more of a system.

Even if I am self-publishing, I still need to collaborate with other professionals, such as printers, marketers and editors. If I'm not using professionals, input from other people, such as family, friends, and colleagues, all count towards the final book for readability, interaction and an audience for feedback and critique.

It was good to break down the steps into a concise list to better understand the overall process.