To become a publisher in the 21st century requires dynamic literary, editing, and technological skills. Whether you aspire to start your own company, teach or work for a large publisher, you’ll need a thorough education and hands-on experience in the world of publishing.
Program Overview
Step into the shoes of a publisher.
Western’s Publishing concentration includes a thorough study of the publishing industry—editing, design, production, marketing, distribution and bookselling. The program also covers new technologies that have changed the industry for writers, publishers, booksellers and readers. You’ll have the unique opportunity to create books that will be released by a commercial publisher by the end of the program. This includes an original anthology that you have jointly edited and produced, as well as a public-domain “classic” reissued from scratch in print and e-book formats.
Prepared for success
Western’s innovative publishing program prepares students for careers in writing, editing and publishing—both in traditional publishing houses and the fast-paced world of e-books and new technologies.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Concentration in Publishing
The concentration in Publishing brings together the study and real-world practices of traditional, independent and new models of publishing in a rapidly changing industry. The concentration provides training in traditional and alternative methods of publishing, including the various print, electronic, and audio formats, as well as training in editorial, production, and marketing of published materials. Courses include extensive work in designing and producing original and reprint books, formatting for the electronic market, and a wide variety of other publishing business skillsets, including copyright law, and working with authors and agents.
The MA Concentration in Publishing requires the following 30 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRWR 600 | Summer Orientation (taken two times with different emphasis each summer) | 2 |
| CRWR 613 | Introduction to the Publishing World | 2 |
| CRWR 614 | Traditional Publishing I | 6 |
| CRWR 615 | Publishing and Marketing a Book | 2 |
| CRWR 623 | Independent and New Model Publishing I | 6 |
| CRWR 624 | Traditional Publishing II | 6 |
| CRWR 625 | Independent and New Model Publishing II | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Careers
Take the first steps toward your dream career.
Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.
The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
The Program
Advancing your career in publishing.
The Publishing program begins with a one-week summer intensive on Western’s campus where you’ll learn the basics of the publishing industry and briefly intern for a small commercial publisher. As your main project for the coming year, you will develop a concept for an original anthology and solicit submissions.
The fall and spring semester each consists of two online courses, one focused on the traditional publishing industry and one on independent publishing. To acquire hands-on experience, you’ll read the “slushpile” submissions for your anthology project and select the stories to be included, all while adhering to a budget. You’ll also analyze typical book and short story contracts and issue contracts for the accepted anthology stories. In the spring semester, you’ll work to design, proofread and produce the printing masters for the anthology. As a solo project, you’ll select a public-domain “classic” to reissue from scratch. You’ll market your finished books and participate in a book signing event upon graduation, which takes place at your second summer residency.
Hands-on experience
Publishing students will work hands-on to create books that will be released by a commercial publisher by the end of the program—an original anthology they have jointly edited and produced, as well as a public-domain “classic” reissued from scratch in print and ebook formats.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Graduate Program in Creative Writing
Director
Tyson Hausdoerffer, Ph.D.Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing
Program Support Coordinator
Rebecca Deluccia, M.A.Program Coordinator
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 117
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231