BECOME A PUBLISHING PRODUCTION MANAGER

Meet your instructor, get a sneak peek at what’s ahead, and sort out the need-to-knows — assignments, deadlines, and all that good stuff. Let’s kick things off!

• Instructor intro
• Course overview

See a clear picture of how a book goes from manuscript to finished product. You'll break down the production process, meet the key players in publishing, and get a solid grasp on what a production manager actually does (hint: a lot!).

• Book production process
• Publishers: types, imprints, specializations, etc.
• Production manager: Involvement & role
• Departments: Who’s who

Learn how to break down a real production schedule, spot the key differences between overseas and domestic production, and even create your own streamlined domestic production plan.

• Case Study: Real production schedule example
• Domestic & overseas printing: Schedule differences

Assignment #1: Complete a domestic production schedule for a 1-color print job using the provided template.

Budgets can make or break a product — let’s make sure yours works for you. In this class, you'll break down production costs, decode pricing scales vs. quotes, and learn when (and how) to negotiate. Real numbers & real strategies.

• Estimates & P&Ls
• Production costs
• Scales VS quotes
• Case Study: Scaled pricing document
• Pricing negotiation

Assignment #2: Calculate the per-unit cost for your book based on the provided pricing document.

Juggle priorities and balance interests between departments, while keeping everything — and everyone — on track. Whether it's internal teams or external suppliers, you'll learn how to communicate and manage deadlines efficiently.

• Balancing interests & priorities: Author, publisher, editor
• Department coordination
• External suppliers & service providers
• Keeping track: Tasks, deadlines and progress
• Effective time management

Assignment #3: Draft an email requesting a quote from an overseas vendor for a picture book.

Navigate your way around binding options, fancy finishes, and the trends that make book covers pop. You'll get the lowdown on working with vendors — great design isn’t just about looks, it’s about knowing how to get it made.

• Sourcing items & vendor relationships
• Trim sizes
• Binding options: Paperback, hardback, different editions
• Finishes: Laminations & special effects
• Case Study: Exploring & discussing cover design trends

Assignment #4: Test your knowledge of finishing and effects with a 10-question quiz.

Printing is all about making the right choices to bring a book to life. Navigate printing methods, paper options, and tricky production timelines. Learn how to tackle delays — in publishing, Plan B (and C) is a must.

• Paper stock options: Novels VS picture books
• Tight printer schedule
• Logistics: Timelines, effects
• Dealing with delays & technical troubles
• Printing methods: web VS sheetfed
• Presses, machinery, printing process

Assignment #5: Begin working on the capstone assignment. Start building an overseas production schedule for a 4-color picture book/graphic novel, factoring in logistics, timing, and shipping.

Get the inside scoop on the digital production cycle and what it takes to make an ebook both accessible and user-friendly. Learn the key platforms, design considerations, and security essentials that shape digital publishing.

• Differences in digital production cycle
• Platforms & accessibility
• Designing for digital user-friendliness
• Security

Ever wondered what goes into making a great audiobook? From when they make sense to how they stack up against print, you'll explore the production process — script prep, recording, editing, and all. Plus, you'll get to judge what makes a voice truly captivating.

• When is an audiobook viable?
• Audiobook position in the market
• Differences in production cycle
• Workshop: Impact of voice & style

Learn how to spot and fix quality issues before they hit the shelves. Break down the post-production process, assess final products, and tackle real-world quality challenges with hands-on problem-solving.

• Communication with operations/inventory
• Quality assessment
• Workshop: How to resolve a quality issue?
• Feedback & discussion of solutions

Assignment #6: Write a 150-word response to address a provided quality control issue.

Building a great team isn’t just about hiring the right people — it’s about creating strong relationships, handling conflicts, and making the workplace inclusive for everyone. Learn how to approach this.

• Fostering work relationships & networks
• Training & mentoring staff
• Conflict resolution
• DEI in publishing
• Discussion: DEI, mental health, personal experiences

Explore the future of publishing, understand how self-publishing is shaking up traditional methods, and learn how AI is becoming the industry's game-changer. Think ahead and stay ahead!

• Future of the publishing industry
• Self-publishing & its impact
• Role of AI in publishing 

Assignment #7 (Optional): Prepare a cover letter applying for a production supervisor role at a major publishing house for feedback.

By the end of this class — and the course — you'll have a solid grasp of the publishing job application process, the know-how to tweak your CV and cover letter to stand out. We’ll walk you through the ins and outs of applying, acing interviews, and landing that dream job in publishing.

• Applying for a role at a publishing house
• Tailoring a resume & cover letter
• Interview process & tips
• Q&A

Capstone Assignment: Book Production Management Plan
Create a comprehensive plan, covering production schedules, budgets, vendor sourcing, quality control, and the impact of emerging trends like AI and digital formats.