Summer Publishing Institute

An intensive program designed to launch your career in book publishing and media.

The Summer Publishing Institute (SPI) is an intensive study of books and media in the heart of the publishing world—New York City! The program combines workshops, strategy sessions, and presentations by leading figures in publishing. Students hear from more than 150 guest speakers on the content creation, editing, marketing, sales, and digital aspects of the industry. Hands-on projects and dynamic networking events ensure that students gain real-world experience.

SPI 2025 will take place as a four-week, in-person program for students to learn about book publishing and media, from June 2 to June 27, 2025.

Students will attend interactive workshops, strategy sessions, networking events, virtual or in-person visits to meet with publishing teams, and lectures taught by industry leaders.

Register for one of our Online Information Sessions

6:00 PM until 7:00 PM EST

6:00 PM until 7:00 PM EST

ALL ABOUT SPI 2025

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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.


WHAT OUR SPI ALUMS SAY ABOUT THE PROGRAM

"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


FOCUS ON BOOK PUBLISHING AT SPI

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 ASPIRING EDITORS: THE READER’S REPORT & MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP

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.


A TYPICAL DAY OF SPI PROGRAMMING

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 OPEN TO RISING COLLEGE SENIORS

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.


PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE AND THE CAREER FAIR

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.


NETWORKING

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.


GRADUATE CREDIT

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.


SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SPI 2025

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.


CAREERS IN PUBLISHING AND MEDIA

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.  

SPI FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW IS SPI UNIQUE?

WHAT SPECIFIC CAREER-BUILDING SKILLS WILL I LEARN?

WHAT ABOUT LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM?

WHAT DAYS AND TIMES DO CLASSES RUN DURING SPI?

IS ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AVAILABLE DURING THE SUMMER PUBLISHING INSTITUTE?

MS IN PUBLISHING

The MS in Publishing offered through the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media (PWM) is the only publishing master’s program aligned with a summer publishing program. It is also a global program, offering students the opportunity, when possible, to experience book fairs and conferences around the world.

The MS in Publishing teaches students how to excel in all aspects of book and media publishing, and classes are taught by leading professionals in the publishing field. They provide students with an in-depth overview of editing and content creation, finance, marketing and branding, new business development, sales and distribution, advertising, law, and management and leadership, as well as the latest digital practices and formats. Students may select a part-time or full-time program of evening study. They network with industry leaders in the classroom and during workshops, panels, and events, while learning key media strategies. They may also participate in an elective internship program, volunteer at publishing events in New York and around the world, and receive career guidance through individual counseling sessions and workshops on résumé and cover letter preparation. Job and internship postings are regularly distributed to students in the program.

Students who are accepted into the MS in Publishing and who successfully complete the Summer Publishing Institute earn three credits toward the 36-credit graduate degree. SPI students are required to submit an additional personal statement and an online application form in order to apply for the MS in Publishing program. All other components, including their résumé, recommendation letters, and official transcripts, will be reused from the SPI application. The application fee for the MS in Publishing application will be waived for all SPI students. For more information about the program, visit sps.nyu.edu/mspub.

For application-related questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at 212-998-7100, or at sps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu.

SPI APPLICATION AND ADMISSION

WHO SHOULD APPLY

Students who are interested in the power of narrative and the spread of new ideas; those eager to learn about the latest publishing practices, including digital strategies and platforms; and those who want to understand the business side of the media industry will benefit from the Summer Publishing Institute. It is helpful to have publishing experience that has been acquired through internships and/or summer jobs, by working in libraries and bookstores, or through involvement with school publications. Skills or interest in writing and editing, digital media, video editing and producing, podcasting, social media, and other areas of publishing and media should be highlighted in your personal statement when applying. Proficiency in writing is crucial, because publishing professionals must be able to express themselves in a variety of written forms.

SPI is designed for recent college graduates, rising college seniors, and young professionals who are just starting out in the field. SPI welcomes international students.


SPI ACCEPTS RISING COLLEGE SENIORS

We understand that many undergraduates want to jumpstart their publishing education early and then begin a career in the field once they graduate. SPI is open to qualified undergraduate students who will have completed their junior year before entering the program. Please note that this option is only open to 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.


HOW TO APPLY

To apply for admission to SPI, submit the online application form accompanied by your résumé, a personal statement, and a nonrefundable application fee of $50. Rising college seniors must include a letter of reference from their undergraduate academic advisor stipulating that they are on track to graduate in Spring 2026. Official transcripts from all colleges attended and two letters of recommendation from professors, internship advisers, or employers also should be submitted when you apply. International students also are required to submit TOEFL scores. Complete instructions can be found on the application form, which is available at apply.sps.nyu.edu/register/spi

The priority deadline for application is February 10, 2025. Early application is encouraged and early acceptance is possible for exceptional students meeting the priority deadline. Applications must be submitted online (and transcripts must be received by the Office of Admissions) by no later than March 15, 2025. Applications received after March 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Summer Publishing Institute is selective, and applicants may be put on a waitlist. We will begin notifying applicants of acceptance by April 6, 2025, if not earlier.


TUITION, FEES, AND HOUSING

Tuition and approximate university fees: $4,700. Housing Fee: $470 (approximate fee) per week, depending upon location. The nonrefundable $500 tuition deposit will be applied toward the tuition balance. For more information about credit tuition and fees, visit nyu.edu/bursar.

Tuition does not include the cost of housing, which must be arranged separately (see below). The $500 tuition deposit must be received by the Admissions Office no later than April 21, 2025 (or two weeks after receipt of the email acceptance letter for students on the waitlist). Final tuition balance is due May 16, 2025. 


HOUSING

Note: NYU housing is optional, and there is no mandatory board fee or required meal plan. The NYU Housing Office requires a separate application and $500 reservation payment payable by personal check, money order, or e-check within seven days of application. For more information about summer housing, visit housing.nyu.edu/summer/. Note: Upon acceptance to SPI, students will be sent SPI-specific housing instructions and should not apply for NYU housing until they have received these.


WITHDRAWALS AND REFUNDS

Notice of withdrawal must be made in writing: by mail to the NYU School of Professional Studies Office of Graduate Admissions, 7 East 12th Street, Suite 921, New York, NY 10003; or by email to sps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu. The $500 deposit, submitted prior to registration, is not refundable, nor are the $50 application fee or registration fees. Students also must officially notify us at pub.center@nyu.edu if they wish to drop the SPI course work. The refund schedule is based upon the day on which the courses are dropped in our registration system, known as Albert. Tuition is reimbursed as follows: 100%, less deposit, registration, and application fees, for withdrawal prior to or during the first week of class. Withdrawal must be made through Albert by the end of the business day on June 6, 2025, in order to qualify for the 100% refund. As of the second week of class, no refund is granted. NYU does not permit exceptions to these policies. New York University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.

SPI bookstore visit

Industry Visits

Our relationships with publishers large and small are a hallmark of the Summer Publishing Institute. Each summer, students go behind the scenes at publishing and media companies to meet with editors, marketers, directors, and others. Students also visit independent bookstores and expand their networks by meeting with alums from across the industry.
 

Sample Industry Visits

  • Penguin Random House
  • Vox Media
  • HarperCollins Publishers
  • Blackstone Audio
  • Nylon
  • Sourcebooks
  • Pitchfork
  • The Cut
  • ABRAMS
  • Macmillan
  • Bustle Media Group
  • Vanity Fair

Career Fair

SPI culminates in a career fair, featuring more than twenty media and publishing companies. To prepare for this experience, SPI students are offered workshops on cover letters, best networking practices, one-on-one résumé reviews, mock interviews, and more.

Students at a Publishing Career Fair

Success Stories

Our SPI graduates are our best advocates. Being part of the SPI alumni community means having connections to hundreds of professionals across the publishing and media industries. Each summer we welcome SPI alums back to share their experience and advice with students to help them as they launch their publishing careers.

Admissions Criteria

The Summer Publishing Institute is designed for recent college graduates, qualified rising college seniors, and young professionals who are interested in careers in book publishing and media.

SPI 2025 will take place in-person from June 2 to June 27, 2025.

Application Dates

Priority Deadline: February 10, 2025                       

Final Deadline: March 15, 2025

 

Required Documents

Personal Statement
Résumé
Two Letters of Recommendation

 

International Students

TOEFL scores are required for applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States or at an institution where the instructional language is English.

 

Rising College Seniors

An advisor letter stating that the student is on track to graduate in their given graduation year is required.

 

Fees

Application Fee: $50

Tuition and Fees: $4,700

Summer Housing (optional): $470/week

 

Scholarships

NYU SPI offers limited scholarships to qualified students. Scholarship applications are available to SPI students after they have been admitted to the program. Please e-mail pub.center@nyu.edu for scholarship information.