Students
ENGX8060 – Getting Published: Traditional, Digital, and Community Pathways
2026 – Session 2, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Michelle Hamadache
Willo Drummond
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MCrWrit
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
ENGL8060
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on developing pathways to publication via traditional magazines, digital platforms, and grassroot community events and activities. Creative writing topics include literary and genre fiction, and creative nonfiction topics such as food, health, lifestyle, travel and entertainment. Students learn to analyse readerships, identify market opportunities, determine the most appropriate publication venues, pitch to magazines, and use digital platforms to build author profiles and distribute content. Students will also be invited to look at mentorships, fellowships, and residencies as part of a writing pathway. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Analyse and critique key issues in the production of different genres of writing.
- ULO2: Produce a publication-ready project targeting a specific market or community.
- ULO3: Identify and analyse magazines that publish different genres of creative writing: literary fiction, genre fiction, and creative non-fiction.
- ULO4: Use digital platforms to build author profiles and distribute content.
- ULO5: Identify opportunities and strategies to publish content for specific communities.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan | 20% | No | 27/09/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
| Portfolio | 40% | No | 25/10/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
| Creative work (major) | 40% | No | 01/11/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
Plan
Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 27/09/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
Creative work incorporating concepts and practices from the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critique key issues in the production of different genres of writing.
- Produce a publication-ready project targeting a specific market or community.
- Identify and analyse magazines that publish different genres of creative writing: literary fiction, genre fiction, and creative non-fiction.
- Use digital platforms to build author profiles and distribute content.
Portfolio
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 63 hours
Due: 25/10/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
Portfolio of formative learning activities completed throughout the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critique key issues in the production of different genres of writing.
- Produce a publication-ready project targeting a specific market or community.
- Identify and analyse magazines that publish different genres of creative writing: literary fiction, genre fiction, and creative non-fiction.
- Use digital platforms to build author profiles and distribute content.
- Identify opportunities and strategies to publish content for specific communities.
Creative work (major)
Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 01/11/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
Creative work incorporating concepts and practices from the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critique key issues in the production of different genres of writing.
- Produce a publication-ready project targeting a specific market or community.
- Identify and analyse magazines that publish different genres of creative writing: literary fiction, genre fiction, and creative non-fiction.
- Use digital platforms to build author profiles and distribute content.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- Academic Success for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.
3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.
Delivery and Resources
Lectures
Lectures begin in Week 1. Please consult the ENGL/ENGX8060 iLearn site to access the lecture link.
Listening to the lectures is expected before participating in the weekly tutorial. Missing lectures will reduce your opportunities for learning and probably result in poor marks across the unit.
Tutorials
Depending on your mode of enrolment, you will either participate in weekly face-to-face tutorials or participate asynchronously via iLearn Discussion Forums. All students will be required to complete a portfolio of weekly learning activities, submitted at the end of the unit. Tutorials and learning activities will commence in Week 1.
Readings
Readings for this Unit are available via the iLearn site for ENGL/ENGX8060. You will find a Link on the unit homepage taking you directly to the readings.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Ask a Study Coach
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2026.01 of the Handbook