The limitations of the traditional workshop format in creative writing pedagogy has long been a point of academic discourse. This workshop is built on the concept of tutors and peers critiquing a single student, who is ordered to stay silent and not refute or reply to changes. Yet, drafting and redrafting work to develop both the writer and their writing for publication is a key component of creative writing, an aspect that the traditional workshop fails to recognise or address. There is an array of scholarship exploring what kind of feedback is valuable to writers, much of which aligns with the practice of developmental editing. This paper will make the case that introducing publishing skills, specifically developmental editing skills, into creative writing pedagogy can create a new format for the creative writing workshop that uses an editorial framework foregrounding process over perfection, and equipping students with the critical analysis skills and terminology to provide more effective feedback. As well as enhancing critical and writing capabilities, including developmental editing techniques in creative writing workshops would make for a more industry-reflective practice that would better serve creative writing graduates in careers in writing, editing and publishing. The clear, reasoned critical arguments of developmental editing could also help to minimise any existing hierarchical imbalances and stereotypes in the writing and editing process, and promote greater understanding and acceptance of diversity in the classroom, the book industry and its literary output. This article will also include a suggestion of how these skills might be implemented into creative writing workshops.
Not much is known about the working conditions of female text editors in Brazil. Considering the gender division of labor and the current context of precarization, this scoping review aimed to identify research gaps concerning the forms of precarization affecting text editors, particularly women. To conduct this study, we used the methodological guidance provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) manual and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We consulted the databases La Referencia, OASIS.BR, SciELO, and BDTD, identifying 326 studies, of which eight were included. We conclude that there is little research related to the working conditions of text editors. The existing studies lack national scope, do not include a gender perspective, and do not define which forms of precarization affect text editing, focusing only on one aspect of this phenomenon. Therefore, the investigation of Brazilian text editors from the perspective of precarization and through a gender lens remains a gap in the literature.
This paper is a multi-site case study that draws on an anonymous survey of industry professionals, in‐depth interviews with employees, and thematic analysis of Instagram stories from @xoxopublishinggg as a parasocial digital space where publishing professionals collectively negotiate ideological tensions that they sometimes need to suppress professionally. Findings reveal that while small and independent presses sometimes foreground mission over margin, employees feel that larger conglomerates routinely prioritize titles that will benefit the publisher’s bottom line. Moreover, in the USA, publishers are engaging in litigation against books bans, even as they expand conservative imprints to capture lucrative right‐wing audiences. The growth of digital platforms has also intensified self‐censorship among employees, who sometimes weigh reputational risks before voicing concerns. Despite these pressures, participants call for clearer decision processes, for more open discussions across teams, and more diverse leadership to align publishing practices with stated values.
While there is an increasing awareness and application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the book publishing industry globally, it is often restricted to analysis of quantitative data and information, such as those shared by data aggregation subscription databases. This analysis is completed in a constantly evolving genre and technological tool developmental environment, where the proliferation of non-specialist tools and “scaffolded” user interactions with large language models (LLMs) are the norm. Considering the high cost of quantitative tools and the nature of machine and deep learning predictions, this paper explores the use of other AI tools for qualitative analysis, such as natural language processing and LLMs, drawing on practices reported by publishers themselves. The use of these tools to facilitate commissioning and acquisition decisions in publishing enterprises is challenged when considering the veracity and validity of these types of recommendations, as well as the lack of transparency regarding the function of these types of AI analysis tools. Using an extensive bibliography of genre-specific titles in the subject of Zombie Horror this paper presents an analysis of recommendations forecasting trends in the book market and explores the factors influencing the success of recommendations using publicly available AI tools.
Many advances and good work in research have been made possible by the advent of new and powerful AI tools. However, these tools could also be misused to gain unlawful or illegitimate advantages and generate fraudulent work and publications. Here, such misuses of AI, including AI usage rules/guideline violations such as non-disclosure, Aigiarism, violations of research integrity by individuals to mass production of subpar/fabricated publications, as well as unlawful use of AI in peer-review and other relevant topics such as prompt injections are briefly reviewed. We shall explore mitigating measures against AI misuse, including the arms race in the detection of AI-use, as well as regulatory and educational strategies or approaches to promote responsible AI use. A new normal of AI-enhanced research activity and productivity must include effective mitigation of AI misuse in research and academic publishing. Curbing AI misuse in academic publishing requires a community-wide effort, and a 4-layed framework (gatekeeping/filtering, identification/purging, punishment/sanctions and AI ethics promotion) is hereby proposed.
Technological advancement has transformed the book publishing industry. In the context of academic sector, the adaptation towards digital technologies among the key players are evident. The publishing processes and workflows adopted by university presses, including commercial academic publishers, are now moving to digital focused and with the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, some see this as opportunities that could be beneficial. Through case studies of two Malaysian university presses, this study gives insights into how they responded to digital transformation by concentrating on the changing publishing workflows and institutional strategies, alongside the challenges encountered. The findings revealed the ongoing efforts implemented by both university presses in transforming their operation and publishing workflow to adapt to the fast-changing digital environment. However, the extent and pace of adaptation differ between the two presses. The findings also highlighted several structural and organisational challenges, particularly limited expertise, staff readiness, financial constraints, and issues of piracy. This study strengthens existing literature by giving insights into Malaysian context, filling important gaps in academic publishing research.
The publishing industry in Kenya is being disrupted by the adoption of electronic publishing. As a disruptive technology, electronic publishing brings with it regulatory challenges since existing regulatory frameworks were intended to manage print publishing. This qualitative study was conducted using document analysis and interviews. Data was collected from 15 educational publishers in the country and representatives of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. The objective of the study was to investigate relevant laws and their implications on electronic publishing in the country and identify the key challenges, policy gaps, and enforcement limitations. The findings of the study showed that the existing laws have catalysed the adoption of electronic publishing by educational publishers in Kenya. However, some laws such as the existing Copyright Act, Books and Newspapers Act, and data protection and data privacy laws have not been effectively enforced by the publishers in Kenya. The study recommends the setting up of a regulatory sand box to enable industry regulators to test and refine the regulation in a live controlled environment. Although the study involved a relatively small sample, this does not undermine its validity, as legal frameworks are inherently contextual and operate within specific national or institutional environments. A robust legal framework will encourage investment in new innovations such as e-publishing as well as protect consumers of eBooks and eLearning platforms while setting and enforcing industry standards for quality assurance.
Children’s and young adult literature constitutes an important segment of the book market in Australia. Yet there is a widespread perception that children’s and young adult titles do not receive their fair share of book reviews in Australia’s major newspapers and magazines. In this article, we examine the truth of this perception through analysis of data collected for the Stella Count about children’s and young adult book reviews from 2012 to 2024. We find that while children’s and young adult literature does receive an equivalent share of reviews when book sales are accounted for, and adult fiction is reviewed at three times the rate of children’s and young adult fiction. However, it does not receive a proportionate amount of reviews relative to publication rates, in stark contrast to adult nonfiction. Second, we observe that the number of mainstream outlets commissioning reviews of children’s and young adult books is diminishing. The bulk of the reviewing is today taking place in a single trade publication rather than being spread across multiple outlets counted in the data. Finally, we note that the length of children’s and young adult book reviews is decreasing, with almost every professional review of children’s titles being a capsule review.
This case study focuses on the comparison of braille and non-braille editions of a bilingual, illustrated children’s book. Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know by Brittany Luby, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, and translated by Alvin Ted Corbiere and Alan Corbiere was published by Groundwood Books in 2021, and it is a bilingual book in Anishinaabemowin and English. This case study analyzes how the different textual and illustrative elements interact on the page, as there are two languages, two scripts, and multiple types of illustrations used throughout the book. This article also examines the material differences between the formats and how those differences might affect accessibility and the reading experience. This case study serves as an example for how to examine accessibility in contemporary books and for indie publishers.
The Australian publishing industry, although smaller than some international counterparts, is nevertheless a vital contributor to the local artistic culture. Like many other industries, it is facing increasing pressure from readers and writers alike to become more inclusive in its practices, from the books it publishes to the people it employs. This research examines the current state of the Australian industry from the perspectives of First Nations and culturally diverse authors who have achieved publication, considering both their personal experiences as well as their perspectives of the industry at a structural level. We find that these authors, regardless of their success and passion, often feel that the industry and its adjacent organizations (e.g. writing festivals) devalues them as artists. Instead, they often felt—or were openly told—that their acceptance was to fulfil a kind of “cultural ambassador”–type role for an audience. We contextualize our discussion by examining how the Australian publishing history has evolved in such a way that it creates a narrow concept of who can be an “Australian author,” and argue that in order for these writers to be truly included, the perception of who can be an Australian author must also evolve.
This study investigates faculty perspectives on Open Access (OA) publishing in Bangladeshi science and technology universities, focusing on awareness, confidence, and practices related to OA models, Article Processing Charges (APCs), and rights retention strategies. A survey of 175 faculty members across academic ranks assessed knowledge of Gold, Green, Hybrid, and Diamond OA, APC pricing and waivers, and licensing tools such as Creative Commons and the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) Author Addendum. Results indicate strong conceptual familiarity with OA models, particularly among senior and experienced faculty, but limited institutional support and gaps in understanding of APC waivers, transformative agreements, and rights retention mechanisms. Awareness of Diamond OA and independent APC resources remains low, with a reliance on publisher-provided information. OA literacy was significantly associated with academic designation, education, experience, and publication output. The study recommends targeted, career-stage-specific training, improved institutional guidance, and promotion of equitable OA models to support sustainable and inclusive scholarly communication.
