Overview
Course Date(s): Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 May 2027
Course Time(s): 09:00-12:00 (EDT), 14:00-17:00 (BST), 15:00-18:00 (CEST),
with 15 minutes of networking before the start of the second session.
Format: Training (Live Online)
ALPSP Early Bird Member Price: £295 + VAT (ends 18 February 2027)
ALPSP Standard Member Price: £345 + VAT
Non-Member Price: £595 + VAT
This training considers the most successful ways in which to develop and manage a commercial academic journal and book programme, including how to adapt commissioning strategies in a transition to a more virtual working environment. Taking delegates step-by-step through the commissioning process, the course aims to provide practical advice, relevant tips and techniques to commission and solicit successful content and titles – from market scanning and community development through to proposal management and eventual publication. It also considers how to maximise resources available to us.
Please note: delegates will not receive a recording of the training course. Read helpful information for delegates attending.
Who should attend?
This course is aimed at commissioning/acquisition editors and managing editors involved in all aspects of commissioning including new launch programmes or book list commissioning, with one to two years’ experience. Staff newly appointed to these positions will also really benefit from latest best practice.
What will you learn?
- Identify and analyse promising business opportunities
- Generate leads and develop into effective proposals
- Make strategic commissioning plans
- Commissioning with confidence
- Building effective author/editor relationships
- Establish and nurture a useful network of contacts.
Programme
- Commissioning - key activities and considerations
- Developing commissioning strategy
- Commissioning and soliciting content for existing journal titles
- Commissioning a new journal launch title
- Commissioning a new book title
- Preparing a proposal, including market scanning techniques and financial planning
- Building effective relationships with authors and editors
- List management and development
- Relationships with key stakeholders in journals and book publishing
- Networking both in-person and online
- Identifying high-profile authors to target for article content
- Influencing skills and change management
- Key business issues affecting managing editors and publishers
- AI and commissioning
- Research integrity considerations
- EDI considerations.
VAT Information:
- UK customers: 20% UK VAT applies
- EU VAT-registered customers: VAT reverse-charged (valid VAT number required)
- Customers outside the UK and EU: No UK VAT charged.
By booking this event you are agreeing to ALPSP's Terms & Conditions
Speakers
Testimonials
I'd say, the best ALPSP course I've attended to date. I like how it was structured, starting from what everyone means by commissioning, content, challenges, tips, workflow, examples, and of course, breakout room discussions. I think it was beautifully structured and had the right balance of insights into books versus journal commissioning." Aditi Jain, American Chemical Society International India Pvt. Ltd.
The discussion and advice related to networking and conference attendance I found particularly useful. As well as the discussion related to strategies and various ways/ sources that can be used to identify leads. I enjoyed the small breakout groups that gave us the opportunity to have discussions with peers working in various commissioning roles." Katie Glaister, Biochemical Society
The course reiterated the importance of human relationships and the 'service' side of the publishing industry. I will use this to inform my communications with potential collaborators.” Danielle Tremeer, Geological Society of London
Really relaxed, pitched at a great level for those new to commissioning, offered really practical tips for the work we do day to day, really great tips for what makes a good commissioning editor and how to manage author relationships. Overall a brilliant deep-dive into the skill-set required and challenges related to commissioning.” David Bennett, Edco - Educational Company of Ireland
