Program Overview
During an intensive summer program, Workshop Fellows work with industry professionals who are at the top of their fields and leading transformations in traditional and digital publishing. Through lectures, seminars, and practical instruction, Fellows learn the foundations of book, magazine, and online editing and production, digital and print publishing, and the financial and business aspects of the industry. The Publishing Workshop also offers skills-based workshops with editors, art directors, web designers, marketing professionals, and specialized tracks for hands-on experience with book and magazine production.
Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops | 9am - 12:20pm PST
All fellows participate in lectures and discussions with publishers from book, magazine, and new media as well as workshops to develop their job application materials and skills.
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In lectures and discussions with leading professionals from Big 5 publishers, academic presses, and independent presses, fellows will learn about every step of the publication process from acquisitions to editorial to art design to marketing and publicity to sales and production.
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Fellows will learn the business of running or starting a magazine, from editorial practices to funding models and advertising to production and distribution.
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From podcasts to audio books to literary scouting for film and television, fellows will learn about exciting multi-media and digital careers.
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In workshops with LA Review of Books staff and HR professionals from the industry, fellows will work on resumes, cover letters, and interview skills in preparation to enter the job market.
Breakout Sessions by Track
12:30pm - 3pm PST Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
In the afternoon, Fellows have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with speakers in pre-scheduled office hours. All Fellows choose between two practical tracks to develop skills in editing, digital production, design, and marketing.
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All fellows will have the opportunity to sign up in advance for an individual appointment with our distinguished speakers, who are at the top of their fields. These office hours are an opportunity to form connections, ask follow–up questions about the organization, or ask for career advice.
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Book Track fellows will meet in workshops led by an independent publisher to learn about book production and distribution. Working in teams on an open-source book of their choice, fellows will practice skills learning how books are acquired, edited, marketed, printed and converted into e-book format, and distributed to libraries and bookstores.
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Fellows in the Magazine Track produce and publish an issue of PubLab, the official online journal of the LARB Publishing Workshop and a LARB Channel featuring writing by Publishing Workshop fellows and alumni. Afternoon sessions led by LARB staff will offer training in skills such as organizing a masthead; assembling editorial and production calendars; the fundamentals of developmental editing, copy editing, fact checking, and proofreading; CMS and WordPress basics; art direction and image copyrights; and more.
The LARB Publishing Workshop is an online program. Lectures, workshops, and one-on-one meetings will take place on Zoom. We also use Slack to share information and hold discussions.
Tuition is $3500. Full payment must be made before the start of the workshop.
Yes! We offer need-based scholarships as well as scholarships through partnerships with select universities.
Undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they will graduated no later than the December/January after the workshop. This is a professional program intended to help you launch a career and make connections. Please apply when you are getting ready to finish your BA/BS or equivalent and looking for a job or professional fellowship.
Our past Workshop Fellows have ranged in age from 21 to 80. We welcome people who are interested in transitioning careers into publishing or starting their own literary venture.
Over 50% of our Fellows have graduate degrees or are working on a Ph.D. or MFA. Knowledge of the publishing industry can be professionally helpful whether or not you spend your career in academia as academics include public facing publishing based on their scholarship in their professional mission. Our alumni include many current Ph.D candidates, professors, researchers, and Ph.Ds who have chosen a career in publishing.
The Publishing Workshop welcomes international students and people who work in publishing or are interested in starting a publication who live outside of the US. The majority of speakers will be people working at presses, publications, and institutions inside of the US. It is also important to note that most presses and institutions in the US cannot sponsor VISAs for international job applicants. However, many of our international fellows have used the knowledge they have gained in the Publishing Workshop to secure jobs and start publications in their home countries.