Publishing Strategy Toolkit

How the course is delivered

The course consists of six x 90-minute sessions, each a mixture of delivery and interaction using Zoom breakout rooms and other online tools. There will be 30-minute breaks between each session with the opportunity to do exercises and take a break. The course will run in the same week, split into three half-day sessions in the morning from 9am to 12.30pm.

You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.

Any information to be completed beforehand will be sent via email.

If you have any concerns about technical requirements or access please contact us on or telephone (+44) 020 8874 2718.

In-house training

This course is also available for in-company training, either virtually or in person at your office. Course content is tailored to suit your requirements. Group sizes range from five to twelve attendees. To find out more, email or telephone +44 (0)20 8874 2718.

Delegate feedback

“A thoroughly enjoyable course. I liked that we presented our findings to the rest of the group and it was useful to hear from them. Kay's presentation was excellent. She explained complex models clearly and her slides were helpful. I have new models to use right away to assess ideas and new products. These will help me to decide whether to go ahead with a project and how I will put together my pitch for colleagues. I've also learned how to evaluate segments and decide what areas and products I should focus on. It was useful to think about our distinctive capabilities and strengths from the customer's perspective. A valuable course which has given me new ways of thinking about our lists and the different markets.” Bloomsbury Publishing delegate

“The course was excellent. It gave me useful tools to apply to a host of upcoming strategic tasks.” Associate Publisher, SCM Press

“I enjoyed the course very much. I’ve gained a greater understanding of publishing strategy and how I can apply it to my job.” Senior Commissioning Editor, Bloomsbury Publishing

“The course was challenging and took me out of my comfort zone (though I see that as a good thing!). I’ve gained clarity on which areas of my existing lists to focus on and what to consider when it comes to thinking of expansion.” Bloomsbury Publishing delegate

“I found the course very helpful, and the teacher extremely knowledgeable. The breakout sessions and activities really helped to deliver the strategies explained. I’ve learned that I should step away from my own list and think about wider internal company strategies and external publishing trends.” Commissioning Editor, York Press

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course. The beneficial feedback from Kay is well-suited to a small group size. I have acquired models for understanding why things we have already been doing have worked (or haven't!), as well as new insights and ideas. These benefits will increase my confidence in explaining rationale to colleagues in future and lead to new successes.” Educate.ie delegate

“I have gained clarity on high-level strategic decisions and, in particular, the need to play to your strengths and not get distracted with smaller and riskier investments. I have also learned not to be obsessed with publishing new content for its own sake!” Senior Commissioning Editor, Hodder Education

“The course was excellent – very engaging, interesting and helpful. I have gained clarity about what needs to be focused on.” Managing Editor, Raintree

“Very good course delivered by a tutor who asks the right questions to [positively] challenge you to get the most out of the learning opportunities.” Elsevier delegate

"The course is really inspiring and has given me a great deal of confidence. Kay is a stand-out tutor.” Oxford University Press delegate

About the tutor

Kay Symons has 30 years' experience with some of the foremost educational publishers in the UK. She worked at Heinemann for 20 years, as publishing director and MD of Heinemann Secondary and Vocational during a period of huge success from 1997 to 2004. She has an international executive MBA from Henley Management College, and is now a publishing consultant and trainer.

Related courses

The PTC offers virtual classroom courses, self-study distance-learning courses, and a range of e-learning modules. See below for those that complement or build on this course.  

Virtual classroom courses

• Advanced Copy-Editing
• Advanced Digital Project Management
• Copyright - the basics
• Developing Effective Management Skills in Publishing
• Editorial Project Management    
• The Fundamentals of Public Speaking
• Introduction to Digital Project Management
• Working with Authors

e-Learning modules

• A commissioning editor’s guide to working with authors
• Essential copyright for publishers
• Proofreading PDFs: A complete guide for editors