My Journey Into Publishing

After six months of job searching, I decided it was time to reach out to a former professor for some advice. The publishing industry is highly competitive and its one of those field where you have to know someone to get started. With the advice I was given, I decided to do some of my own research. This led me to multiple Publishing and Editing certificate programs.

I attended many virtual information sessions and weighed my options. By the end of 2022 I decided to apply to both the Denver Publishing Institute and the Columbia Publishing Course. To apply to these programs I had to submit a personal essay and provide two letters of recommendation. After the application process, and a short waiting period, I was admitted to the Denver Publishing Institute.

What is the Denver Publishing Institute?
The Denver Publishing Institute is a four-week intensive course, taught by industry professionals, to teach the new generation of publishing professionals. I decided to attend the program virtually, but most students attend in person at the University of Denver.

How much does it cost?
Without the cost of room and board, tuition was $4,975.

How did I prepare for the course?
Before the start of the course, students are given a lengthy list of readings and assignments to prepare them for the incoming weeks. This includes books about the publishing field, The Chicago Manual of Style, and two manuscripts. Along with reading, I had to complete a list of activities to expose me to book marketing.

What is taught during the course?
Each day a few different industry professionals spoke to the students about their specific area of expertise. The main focus of the course was in Editorial and Marketing, but we learned about all areas of publishing.

Those areas include:

• Literary Agents and Editors
• The Business of Publishing, the Legal Aspects of Publishing, and Subsidiary Rights
• University/Scholarly Publishing and College Textbook
• Copyediting and Proofreading
• Children’s, Religious, and Trade Publishing
• Marketing and Publicity
• Production and Book Design
• Independent Publishers

During the editorial workshop, I learned how to write a readers report. For the marketing workshop, I had to complete a press release for You Were Always Mine by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. I also had to come up with a marketing plan for The Night House by Jo Nesbo. As a fun activity, each student got to come up with a nonfiction book proposal and present it to an independent book publisher.

What did I take away from the Denver Publishing Institute?
For the most part, every guest speaker was very honest and respectful. They made sure we knew how rough the publishing industry can be. Most of the speakers gave us their emails and encouraged us to connect with them on LinkedIn. Due to the fact I attended these sessions virtually, I had a rather small cohort. There were only 12 online students; we called ourselves Zoomies. We talked throughout the program and supported one another whenever we could. We don’t as much now, but we still keep in contact and reach out when we find an opportunity that we think will fit each others interests.
I really appreciate how excited each speaker was about talking to the new generation of book publishers. This course was also a great networking opportunity. Each speaker had a virtual Q&A with the online students to make sure that we didn’t miss out on the same opportunities as in-person students. They took the time to get to know us, answered any questions we had, and— when they could—gave us advice.