October’s Major Spotlight: Book Publishing

Think about the last book you loved. Maybe it was a novel you couldn't put down, a beautifully illustrated children's book, a cookbook that's become your go-to, or a graphic novel that completely pulled you in. None of those books appeared on a shelf by accident. Behind every published book is a team of editors, designers, marketers, and publishing professionals who helped bring it to life. Believe it or not, there are college programs that prepare students for exactly this kind of work.

Publishing combines creativity with business. Students might study writing, editing, graphic design, marketing, communications, digital media, and copyright law while learning what it takes to bring books from an author's idea to readers around the world.

This field could be a great fit for students who:

Love books and storytelling
Enjoy writing, editing, or giving feedback
Are curious about marketing and branding

Graduates go on to careers as editors, literary agents, publicists, marketers, designers, rights managers, and digital content specialists. Others work for publishing houses, magazines, nonprofits, educational publishers, or even start their own businesses.

Where Can You Study Publishing?

There are many ways to prepare for a career in publishing. Some colleges offer dedicated publishing programs, while others provide strong pathways through English, communications, journalism, or media studies.

Emerson College: A great fit for students who want to immerse themselves in storytelling. Emerson students learn from publishing professionals, work on literary magazines and digital publications, and benefit from Boston's vibrant literary scene.

Pace University: A great fit for students who dream of working in publishing in New York City. Students produce a literary journal through The Publishing Lab while building connections through internships, mentoring, and networking across the industry.

Belmont University: A great fit for students who want a career-focused publishing major. Students can explore editing, content development, marketing, and publicity while benefiting from Nashville’s growing publishing industry.

Emily's Take

I love that publishing isn't just for aspiring authors. It brings together students who enjoy storytelling, creativity, communication, design, and business. If your student has ever said, "I love books, but I don't want to be a writer," this might be a path worth exploring.

Have a major you're curious about? I'd love to feature it in a future College Majors You Might Not Know Exist spotlight.