#publishing classes

The age-old question I get from people who know nothing about publishing is always "So when are you going to graduate school?" Nevermind the fact that graduate school is exceedingly expensive (and none of the people asking me this are going to pay for it), but from what I have witnessed, graduate school isn't necessary for publishing. And publishing MS are 40K+ for a year. Entry-level publishing jobs are from $30-35k. Doesn't seem particularly worth it, if you ask me.

However, publishing courses seem like a nice way to get your foot in the door and learn. I went back and forth for ages trying to figure out if I wanted to do the Columbia Publishing course. However, the price of the course is nothing to sneeze at, even if they do give you financial aid (sometimes). Same for NYU's summer publishing course. And I know NYU and their financial aid office so I didn't think getting fin aid from NYU was going to happen either. So ultimately, I didn't apply.

I would also ask people in the industry that I knew personally what their thoughts were on publishing courses. A lot of them said it depended. Even the people that I knew who did them (and who got jobs because they did them). Everything in publishing was about the experience (or so it would seem). Other people I talked to when I went on informational interviews told me they didn't think they were worth the price (or the time). It was all very confusing for a person who was trying to figure out what to do.

Ultimately, it appeared I decided against them. Then I figured that getting a copy editing certificate could benefit me. It turned out NYU had a copy editing certificate (Of course they do). I signed up for two of the required classes. Then I also learned that the two classes I signed up for (From Writer to Reader: An Intro to Publishing and Grammar Intensive) also counted towards the Certificate in Book Publishing, But by the time I declared my certificate candidacy, NYU-SCPS changed the requirements. Before, you simply needed to take 5 classes from the list. Now, you have 3 required classes and 3 electives. 

The required classes are From Writer to Reader: An Intro to Book Publishing, Digital Trends in the Book Industry, and the Business of Book Publishing for the Non-Financial Manager. Frankly, I think it's better this way. These three classes give you a good intro to publishing and also can give you a solid view into the sorts of skills that you might need in publishing. (The Digital Trends is certainly doing that for me). And since I come from a mostly literary agency background, this is really good for ME because I get a more holistic (and publishing house) view of the industry. I also think the electives let you customise your certificate to what YOU want to do in publishing. I'm taking two manuscript editing workshops right now (one for Children's/YA book editing, and another one for fiction/nonfiction editing), and I also took a grammar class. 

I also find this more convenient than a summer course, because you can do it at your own pace. Given the nature of a lot of the classes, the people gathered there are a mix of industry professionals and pure greenhorns (like myself). I think it's great. I get to learn from people who know what they're doing, and I also get to learn from the people in the class. 

I didn't want to to take more than a year to finish off this course, so I decided to do 4 classes this semester (and I am clearly crazy). It's stressful since I am also looking for employment, but I'm on the second week for most of my classes and i"m learning a LOT. 

Ultimately, I am very glad I'm doing a publishing course. I'm also glad I have the Segal education award to pay for it. It's definitely worth it. 

You'll get a lot of mixed opinions but I feel publishing courses are worth it. 

=]

This was not a PSA for NYU, but I am only explaining why NYU-SCPS's course is sorely convenient.You also don't need transcripts and recommendation letters or essays.

If you're interested in NYU-SCPS's course, here you go.

Columbia Publishing Course.