If you are passionate about the world of ideas and eager to immerse yourself in a constantly evolving, rewarding, and creative industry, then a career in Publishing may be exactly what you are looking for. The New York University School of Professional Studies Summer Publishing Institute (SPI) is the perfect place to begin your journey. Since 1978, SPI has launched the careers of thousands of graduates who are now working in publishing and media. Consider applying to SPI as your first step on the path to an amazing career!
At the 2025 NYU Summer Publishing Institute, we look forward to welcoming a new class of aspiring publishing leaders and helping them on their way. With a primary, comprehensive focus on book publishing, SPI will also include key sessions on media for students who are interested in careers in that area or simply in understanding the broader landscape of publishing and media. SPI 2025 will feature lectures and discussions covering topics from acquisition and editing to marketing, promotion, and sales, providing students with an understanding of how the business of publishing works today. The program will emphasize learning the practical skills needed for entering the publishing world, as well as an understanding of the business models needed to prepare our students for careers in publishing and media.
This intensive program will be taught by top professionals in the industry, including publishers, editors, digital strategists, literary agents, video producers, designers, marketers, and publicists, to name just a few. Classroom learning will include lectures, workshops, and hands-on sessions in subjects including effective marketing campaigns, cover design, video production, manuscript editing, social media and influencer marketing, producing websites, and content creation across all platforms.
Throughout the program, we offer career preparation sessions and workshops designed to help students understand the media landscape and how to align their skills and interests with what the world of media has to offer. Our career preparation workshops offer advice on everything from résumé and cover letter writing to maximizing your LinkedIn profile and building networking skills. Our goal is to prepare our students for the professional world from day one.
"SPI allowed me to discover how I fit in the publishing world. I learned the ins and outs of the industry, expanded my network, made lifelong friends, and found a new sense of confidence. If working in publishing is your dream, SPI is the way to go!" —Alexandra Barnhart, SPI 2024 Graduate
"I can’t think of a better program to get into publishing. We had the chance to speak with the most amazing people who shared valuable insights on all the different jobs in the industry. Such a rewarding experience! Since then I have begun an internship at Writers House - and can’t wait to see where I go next." —Penelope Martinez, SPI 2024 Graduate
“SPI was truly one of the best experiences that I’ve had! Publishing felt like such a daunting industry to try to break into, but SPI and all the skills I learned and the connections I made through it helped open doors into the industry. I also had such a blast - all the sessions were so interesting, and living in New York City for a month was an incredible experience. I am still close with the friends that I made during the program, and it has also been great to be part of such a supportive cohort of people with similar goals as I embark on my job search and career journey. I would highly recommend SPI!” —Alisha Churma, SPI 2023 Graduate
A passion for publishing is at the heart of the SPI program. SPI explores all aspects of the industry – from manuscript submission and development, to creating marketing campaigns, to understanding sales channels and challenges. A range of panels, interactive workshops, lectures, and strategy sessions provide students with the opportunity to learn first-hand how the publishing industry operates today. To gain a deeper understanding of the publishing process, students visit the headquarters of leading book publishing companies and independent bookstores around the city.
For those interested in careers in editorial, agenting, or book development, SPI offers a workshop focused on evaluating a manuscript and producing a professional-level report. Guided by professional editors, students will conduct an in-depth exploration of editing both fiction and non-fiction, including the art of the reader’s report, an industry assessment standard. They will also practice some of the specific tasks required of editorial assistants, including rendering early opinions on manuscripts and handling correspondence with authors. The goal of this workshop is to prepare students for entry-level positions in book publishing, as well as to give them the key editing tools needed to advance to more senior editorial positions.
What does a day of SPI programming look like? Here are a few key sessions from previous years:
- Publishing 101: Everything You Need to Know
- Secrets of Copyediting: Mistakes to Avoid
- How Brands are Reimagining Content
- Building Equitable Workplaces: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- The Role of the Literary Agent
- The Expanding World of Audio
- A Look Through the Looking Glass of Children’s Books
- Book Production Basics: From Manuscript to Hardcover
- Make It Big and Red and Bold: Cover Design
- Creating a Savvy Marketing and Publicity Campaign
- So You Want to Be an Assistant: What You Need to Know
- Small But Mighty: Academic and University Presses
- The Power of Podcasts
- The Mainstreaming of the Graphic Novel
- Getting the Most From Your Social Media Strategy
- What it Takes to Tell Your Story with Audio
SPI is proud to welcome applications from qualified undergraduate students who will have completed their junior year before entering the program. NOTE: This option is ONLY for those undergraduates entering their senior year in Fall 2025. Rising seniors who wish to attend SPI the summer before their senior year will be required to provide transcripts from all colleges attended, as well as a letter of reference from their undergraduate academic advisor stating that they are in good standing and are expected to graduate in Spring 2026.
To help students in their job searches, we offer extensive professional guidance. Each student receives a one-on-one résumé review session with a human resources expert or hiring manager. A panel of HR recruiters from various media and publishing companies offer insights into the job search process, with tips on how to approach cover letters, networking emails, interview protocol, and more. A mock interview session provides students with an opportunity to practice their technique in front of an audience of their peers.
SPI culminates in a career fair, which provides students with the chance to connect with representatives from book and media companies, as well as from literary agencies and other publishing-related businesses. Through our various career resources, students have multiple opportunities to begin the process of finding positions, explore and pursue leads, and seek out opportunities in the industry.
Connecting with publishing professionals in all areas of the industry is an integral part of the program. Many SPI graduates who now work in publishing return to share their experiences with current students during panels and social gatherings. Students are encouraged to talk one-on-one with all of our SPI speakers after their lectures, and to make networking a major priority of their time in the program.
When students successfully complete SPI, they earn three graduate credits, which may be counted towards the MS in Publishing or an advanced degree elsewhere, if deemed appropriate by the degree-granting institution. We are the only publishing program to offer this valuable opportunity to earn graduate credit during a summer intensive. Rising college seniors who successfully complete the program also earn these credits, which degree-granting institutions may accept at a later date.
Each year, we offer a robust slate of scholarships to SPI. This year we are pleased to once again offer the Carolyn Kroll Reidy Memorial Scholarship for students underrepresented in the publishing industry. This generous scholarship is a tribute to the late Carolyn Kroll Reidy, who served as CEO & President of Simon & Schuster. Scholarships are also available from Hearst Communications, Inc., The Women’s Media Group, Ulysses Press, and other companies. Scholarship applications will be made available to admitted students, and details about scholarships and scholarship applications will be available in early 2025.
SPI students learn about a wide range of positions within the book publishing and media industries. Through our many workshops, industry site visits, and career development sessions, we will help you explore the many opportunities and potential positions in today’s job market that best suit your skills, interests, and attributes.
