Global Book Deal Is Write Move For Students
18 October 2011
Professor Jason Lee, Head of Film and Media.
Having the opportunity of working closely with writers, editors, and a publisher backed by the British Council is a fantastic opportunity for University of Derby students
”Professor Jason Lee.
An international project will see a student writer from the University of Derby have their book published and distributed by a top overseas publishing house.
A literary fiction by a third-year BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree course student will be published for sale in the UK and USA. India-based ROMAN Books - which supplies works of fiction and literary criticism to major American and UK booksellers such as Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble - will work with the writer to develop their book for commercial sale.
Profits from the venture will be used to finance another book the following year, in order to make the Indo-British project an ongoing one for University of Derby students.
The unusual arts deal has been developed by Roman Books' founder Suman Chakraborty and Professor Jason Lee, Head of Film and Media with Creative Writing and Professional Writing at the University of Derby. The project is supported by the British Council's Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) programme, which aims to promote a professional network between creative entrepreneurs in India, the UK and internationally.
Once the first book is ready for publication Mr Chakraborty will visit the University of Derby to give a guest lecture to aspiring student authors on how publishing houses can encourage new writing talent.
Professor Lee said: "Every writer has the dream of seeing their work published. Having the opportunity of working closely with writers, editors, and a publisher backed by the British Council is a fantastic opportunity for University of Derby students. Internationally, it also reveals how the University is further establishing its global presence in the cultural and creative industries, through the work of its own students and academics."
Mr Chakraborty added: "We work primarily in the overseas market, mainly in the UK and USA. We have a team of sales representatives working in the UK where we work with the market leaders of the book industry.
"This collaboration with the University of Derby strengthens our bond with the United Kingdom, thanks to the British Council YCE initiative which has always remained an extremely encouraging part of my own career as a creative entrepreneur."
Aanchal Sodhani, the Project Manager of British Council India's Cultural & Creative Economy Unit, said: "We were happy to support this project through the Young Creative Entrepreneur grant as we found the skills development aspect of the project particularly interesting. That is, to develop the skills of new writers to understand market requirements, audience needs, marketing and promotional aspects and the selling of rights; thereby becoming ready to be published internationally."
For further information please contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email: s.kirby@derby.ac.uk
