ENG 340 is a seminar in the historical and contemporary development of literary cultures. We will examine the driving influences of the literary market, looking at the history and evolvement of the publishing industry, book review, literary organizations, literary awards, such as the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and others, and how these factors influence literary productions and careers. We will also examine the lives and the works of the most influential contemporary literary writers who have succeeded in the present culture. Additionally, students will be prepared for current trends in publishing and instructed on how to submit their own work for publicatioin.