New Word Order is a print publication produced through the Literary Editorship module in UCD’s Mary Lavin Centre for Creative Writing. The class gives students hands-on experience in literary publishing, from the acquisition and editing of poetry, fiction, essays, and art (drawing on submissions from Ireland and around the world) to print design, launch, and distribution of a professional journal.

Issue XII of the magazine marked an important development – partnership with the Creative Futures Academy, NCAD’s Communication Design programme, and — especially — industry design partner Distinctive Repetition (Dublin). Through the Community of Practice Fund, CFA supported the editorial team, giving them opportunities to visit NCAD’s print workshops, and allowing Distinctive Repetition’s design team to demonstrate the real-world practicalities and economics of print design and literary publishing.

The CFA grant also allowed for the design and print of a gorgeous new edition, through a paid training position for a recent NCAD graphic design graduate. Working under the supervision of Distinctive Repetition, and within the established design systems, Hannah McArtain worked on the collation and preparation of content, typesetting, print testing, and print management, gaining invaluable experience of the practicalities of professional publishing that can only come from working on a live project.

There is nothing like holding a book in your hands and knowing you had a hand in its creation. It’s a valuable lesson that CFA, UCD, NCAD, and Distinctive Repetition have given to a group of extraordinary emerging editors and publishers.

New Word Order Issue XII will be launched into bookshops very soon. Watch this space to find out more.