The first of its kind, this book focuses on empirical studies into creative output that use and test the systems approach. The collection of work from cultural studies, sociology, psychology, communication and media studies, and the arts depicts holistic and innovative ways to understand creativity as a system in action.

Phillip McIntyre is an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a former musician, music journalist, record producer and video-maker. His book Creativity and Cultural Production: Issues for Media Practice is also published by Palgrave MacMillan. He convenes the Communication and Media Research (CAMR) group and is researching the creative industries though an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant.Dr Janet Fulton is a lecturer in Media and Communication at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Her research interests include creativity and cultural production, journalism, journalism education, social media, and cultural production in the digital age.Dr Elizabeth Paton is Senior Education and Outreach Officer for the Australia Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function (Monash University node). Previously, she taught communication and creative industries subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research interests include creativity, creative industries, fiction writing and education.

1. Introduction; Phillip McIntyre, Janet Fulton and Elizabeth PatonPART I: THEORY2. General Systems Theory and Creativity; Phillip McIntyre3. Systems Model of Creativity; Janet Fulton and Elizabeth PatonPART II: RESEARCH USING SYSTEM APPROACHES4. Scalability of the Creative System in the Recording Studio; Paul Thompson5. The Creative Development of Sampling Composers; Justin Morey6. Songwriting as a Creative System in Action; Phillip McIntyre7. Print Journalism and the System of Creativity; Janet Fulton8. The Practice of Freelance Print Journalism; Sarah Coffee9. The Dynamic System of Fiction Writing; Elizabeth Paton10. Reconceptualizing Creative Documentary Practices; Susan Kerrigan11. Film and Media Production as a Screen Idea System; Eva Novrup Redvall12. Distributed Creativity and Theatre; Stacy DeZutter13. Comedy, Creativity, Agency: The Hybrid Individual; Michael Meany14. Systems of Creative Practice in Arts and Design; Phillip McIntyre and Sarah Coffee15. Conclusion: Future Directions; Phillip McIntyre, Janet Fulton and Elizabeth Paton