Publishing & Editing Institute

Do you dream of working at a publishing house? Are you seeking a practical application for your love of reading and writing? Learn what it takes to produce and market a book in this hands-on, team-centered experience that features workshops, strategy sessions and guest speakers who are industry professionals. This is a unique experience as Susquehanna offers the only summer program in the country for high school students interested in book publishing. You’ll spend the week learning to think like a publisher and gaining valuable editorial and digital media skills.

Working in our dedicated publishing lab, The Letterbox, you, and your teammates will create a book launch and marketing campaign for a trade book. Your team will come up with a book title and cover, determine the book’s audience, and create a digital presentation to sell the book to investors and consumers.

Along the way you’ll explore the book’s influence on society and culture and develop your entrepreneurship and team-building skills. You’ll also hear from working professionals about career paths in publishing and how Susquehanna’s Publishing & Editing program prepared them to do what they love: bringing literature into the world.

Students entering grades 10–12 are invited to register.

Highlights

Attend workshops on digital publishing tools, marketing, and book cover design.
Get advice and coaching from professionals in the industry.
Delve into sessions on entrepreneurial editing, book history and the impact of books on our culture.
Work on your projects in The Letterbox, our publishing and editing lab.
Have fun teaming up with other students who share your passion for books.
Visit local bookstores.
Participate in end-of-week formal book launch and marketing presentation.

“The publishing and editing program at Susquehanna is the best undergraduate publishing program in the country.”
— Shaye Areheart, Director of the Columbia Publishing Course at Columbia University

Information to Know

Things to Bring

Toiletry Items
Pillow
Blanket (if desired)
Linens, including sheets, a pillowcase, a thin blanket and towels will be provided.
Snacks, drinks (if desired)
There is access to a small kitchenette with mini fridge, sink and microwave.
Blanket or beach towel to sit on for outdoor movie night
Casual clothing for classes and most scheduled events
Business casual outfit for presentations on Saturday morning
Swimwear
Tennis rackets, frisbees, etc. (if you enjoy playing)
Writing folder/tablet, pens, pencils
Alarm clock
Spending money (for bookstore and evening snacks, if desired)

Check In & Final Day Protocol

151 Weber Way
Selinsgrove, PA 17870

View and download a printable campus map or click the button below to go to google to download and print driving directions.

Get Driving Directions

Check-In

Sunday, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Degenstein Campus Center, Mellon Lounge

Parents and students will receive a copy of the program’s week-long schedule during check-in.

Final Day Protocol

Culminating Group or Individual Presentations; Lunch with University Faculty and Personnel and Check-Out

Event Management staff will be available at the residence halls to facilitate check-out and collect keys, meal fobs, etc.

Program participants will present their final presentation on Saturday, 10–11:30 a.m.
Presentation Room: Lore Degenstein Gallery

Lunch, hosted by the faculty of the sponsoring academic department, will be immediately after the presentation for participants and their family members.

Parents/family members are encouraged to participate in both events on Saturday and should make reservations for lunch by indicating how many guests will attend on the registration form.

The presentation area and lunch will be in the same building as check-in on Sunday afternoon.

Students will check out from their rooms immediately after lunch on Saturday and must return room keys and building fobs at that time.

Health Services

While there aren’t any campus health center services available for the Summer Pre-College Programs participants, program staff will have first aid kits for minor scrapes and scratches.

Should a program participant need any emergency attention, local hospitals, and Urgent Care Centers are readily available. Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to discuss options and insurance arrangements.

The Medical Form is a crucial part of any medical or emergency procedure and must be returned before the start of the program for the student to be considered fully registered.

Cars on Campus & Leaving Campus

Cars on Campus

If a student drives to campus for any of the Summer Pre-College Programs, the Event Management Office will hold the keys to the vehicle from Sunday afternoon to the following Saturday morning.

Leaving Campus

Program participants are not permitted to leave campus unless the activity is part of the program’s schedule, and they are accompanied by student counselors or program directors.
Violation of this or any other regulation established by the “Principles of Student Conduct” will forfeit a student’s participation in the program.

Contacting Students via Mail & Phone

Cell Phones

Students may have access to their cell phones except for the following times: classroom and instruction sessions and guest speaker presentations, at which time cell phones must be put in silent mode or turned off. If you must reach your student during these times, please contact the Event Management Office at 570-372-4354.

To reach students on campus, please call:

Event Management Office
570-372-4354
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1–5 p.m.
University’s Main Switchboard
570-374-0101 (ask for the Event Management Office)
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Susquehanna University Campus Safety
570-372-4444 or 4428 (anytime)

Mail

Families can send mail to participants at the following address:

Event Management Office
Publishing & Editing Institute
Susquehanna University
1858 Weber Way
Selinsgrove, PA 17870

Required Forms

*Participant safety is our highest priority. Susquehanna University reserves the right to cancel Summer Pre-College Programs, if necessary, in order to comply with local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations and reserves the right to change course based on circumstances.

Required Forms

Medical and Conduct Forms (PDF, Full Packet)

Costs & Refund Policy

The $875 Comprehensive fee includes room, meals, and all program materials.

Must be registered by June 10

Scholarships

Scholarships are available based on financial need and academic performance. No full-tuition scholarships are available.

A letter from your guidance counselor, indicating your eligibility for free/reduced lunch or other measure(s) of financial need, is required for scholarship consideration.

Deadlines

All registrations must be submitted no later than June 10.

All supporting documentation must be received prior to your arrival on campus.

Summer Pre-College Programs Cancellation & Refund Policy

Refund requests may be submitted for early departures due to unforeseeable circumstances such as death in the immediate family or serious illness. Refunds will be reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis.

Susquehanna University reserves the right to cancel any Summer Pre-College Program. If Susquehanna University cancels the program you are registered for, you will receive a full refund.

Cancellations made at least 10 days prior to the start of the program will be refunded in full.

Refunds will not be provided for cancellations received fewer than 10 days prior to the program.

Early departures for reasons including but not limited to homesickness, parental request, and failure to follow the program’s principles of conduct are not eligible for a refund.