Publishing Certificate
Learn about the publishing industry through hands-on work.
Certificate in Publishing
Through our 13-month course of study, writers become savvy about the publishing industry.
This program presents a unique opportunity for writers to learn about the publishing industry through hands-on work selecting stories for a literary anthology, editing the anthology, and marketing and promoting the final product. Students work with experts in the publishing industry, have opportunities for internships after completing the certificate, and become better prepared to enter the publishing field as agents or editors.
The Program
- Come to Western’s campus in Gunnison, high in the Colorado Rockies, for two weeks during two consecutive summers in late July. Study the publishing industry, workshop your writing, and learn how to present work to editors and agents.
- Participate during the fall and spring terms in an online editorial board to plan and prepare a book for publication through Western’s press.
- Learn about publishing house operations, including acquisitions, editorial, design, marketing and sales, as well as record-keeping and fulfillment.
- Enjoy the beautiful country surrounding the campus with high-mountain hiking, climbing, biking, and the chance to sit next to a stream or lake and write.
The Curriculum
The course of studies includes summer face-to-face classes, a series of integrated self-paced modules, and synchronous discussions in an online environment. See the list of specific courses here:
Admission Requirements
The applicant wishing to enroll in the Certificate of Publishing Program must complete the following:
- An application for admission to certificate study. (At appropriate prompts, select "graduate" and then "certificate")
- A $50 non-refundable processing fee (charged to your credit card when you use the online application)
- An 800 to 1,000 word personal statement describing writing experience and interest in publishing, and preferably sent as an email attachment to extendedstudies@western.edu.
- A writing sample of 15-20 pages prose (double-spaced); or 5-7 poems; or a combination of 2-3 poems and 7-10 pages of prose, also preferably sent as an email attachment to extendedstudies@western.edu.
- An official transcript of a baccalaureate degree, with a recommended minimum 3.0 GPA for writing-related courses. The baccalaureate-granting institution must send the transcript directly to the Western State College Office Extended Studies Graduate Office.
Send personal statement, writing sample and transcript to:
Certificate in Publishing
Western State College
Extended Studies Graduate Office
600 N. Adams
Taylor Hall 303
Gunnison, CO 81231
FAX: (970) 943-7068
Program Costs
Tuition costs $350 per credit, or a total of $6,300.00 for the entire 13-month program. Additional costs include class texts as well as two-week summer residency expenses such as transportation to and from Gunnison, on-site accommodations, and meals.
The Faculty
Certificate Program DirectorTeresa Milbrodt is Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Western State College of Colorado. She received both an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University, where she also served as assistant fiction editor at Mid-American Review for several years.
Three of her stories have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. |
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| Russell Davis has written and sold numerous novels and short stories in virtually every genre of fiction, under at least a half-dozen pseudonyms. His writing has encompassed media tie-in work in the TRANSFORMERS universe to action adventure in THE EXECUTIONER series to original novels and short fiction in anthology titles like UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS, LAW OF THE GUN, and IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL. In addition to his work as a writer, he has worked as an editor and book packager, and created original anthology titles ranging from westerns like LOST TRAILS to fantasy like COURTS OF THE FEY. He is a regular speaker at conferences and schools, where he teaches on writing, editing and the fundamentals of the publishing industry. A past president of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, Russell now writes and edits full time, as well as teaches for Western's MFA in Creative Writing. He's presently working on a new young adult series, and his next short fiction collection, THE END OF ALL SEASONS, will appear in 2012. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and children, and in his copious spare time, he tries to get some sleep. | |
| Sonya Unrein is the editor for the Samizdat Group, responsible for the acquisition, production, editing, and marketing of the Conundrum Press catalog. She performed the same for Ghost Road Press for several years and, more recently has consulted for a number of start-up small presses, including Seven Oaks Publishing and Raspberry Press. Sonya serves as the graphic designer for Western's annual anthology, preparing those books for final production. She brings strong experience in book store communication, inventory management, author relations and events, order fulfillment, promotional copy, content editing, line editing, layout, cover design, and creative asset management. She also develops web, social media, and blogs. |
Find Out More
- Email queries to Teresa Milbrodt, M.F.A., Certificate Director: tmilbrodt@western.edu
- Contact Western’s Office of Extended Studies for more information: 1-800-876-5309, Ext. 7
