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 at 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.
The 2024 Summer Pre-College Program information and registration will be available soon. See below for a sampling of program highlights, information to know and instructors.
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.
Check-In at SU
Sunday, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Degenstein Campus Center, Mellon Lounge
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, evening snacks, if desired)
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, Med Express and 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
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.
Cell Phones (please note)
Students may have access to their cell phonesexcept forthe 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.
Mail
Families can send mail to participants at the following address:
Event Management Office Publishing & Editing Institute Susquehanna University 514 University Ave. Selinsgrove, PA 17870
Phone Numbers
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)
The Final Day (Saturday)
Breakfast with University Faculty and Personnel; Culminating Group or Individual Presentations; and Check-Out
Breakfast, hosted by the faculty of the sponsoring academic department, will be 8:30–9:30 a.m. for participants and their family members.
Program participants will present their final presentation on Saturday, 10–11:30 a.m. Presentation Room: Lore Degenstein Gallery
Parents/family members are encouraged to participate in botheventsonSaturday morning and should make reservations forbreakfastby indicating how many guests will attend on the registration form.
Directions to the breakfast and presentation areas will be available at check-in on Sunday afternoon. A representative will be available at breakfast to usher you to the meeting space for the presentations.
Students will check out from their rooms immediately after the presentation on Saturday and must return room keys and meal tags at that time.
Event Management staff will be available at the residence halls tofacilitatecheck-out and collect keys, meal fobs, etc.
Available Schedules
Parents and students will receive a copy of the program’s week-long schedule during check-in.
As of March 31, 2022, Susquehanna University strongly recommends its overnight guests be up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccination by the time they arrive on campus.
Susquehannastronglyrecommends SummerPre-College Program participants to test for COVID-19 within 72 hoursof arrivalto campus.Participants must follow masking protocols that may be in effect at the time of the camp.
If you have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination recommendation, email Michelle Harman at summerprograms@susqu.edu or call 570-372-4451.
*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.
The $875 Comprehensive fee includes room, meals and all program materials.
Must be registered by June 12
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 12.
All supporting documentation must be received prior to your arrival on campus.
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 refund
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.
