Publishing Academy
FAQ
There’s a lot to know about Publishing Academy!
Check out the questions and answers below for more information.
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Publishing Academy Enrollment
Applications for Publishing Academy 2020-2021 are open now, and will be considered on a rolling basis. The Publishing Academy Team will review the candidate’s application, writing sample, and financial aid application (if applicable). Once reviewed, all accepted students will be invited to interview via video conference. Publishing Academy 2020-2021 will be a virtual program.
Check out a sample schedule for Publishing Academy Summer 2020
| Why does Publishing Academy run year-round instead of just during the summer? | Because our authors are so talented! After years of running this program for the month of July, we realized that we were not allowing students to fully realize their potential or stories in the timeframe we gave them. It takes more than a month to write a great novel, and we want to support students in committing themselves to a piece of work that they can really pour themselves into. Having Publishing Academy go year-round also helps build a sense of camaraderie and community in the cohort. Beyond their time with us, students can always reach out to their peers to brainstorm and review their writing. |
| If my student cannot commit to year-long Publishing Academy, can he/she/they still have a manuscript published? | No. Unfortunately this program is designed to be a year-long process. Students who cannot complete the entire program will not be published. |
| How long can we expect decisions on student applications to take once materials are submitted? | We will reach out to schedule an interview within a week of receiving your application, and a final decision will take place within 5 days of the interview. |
| Are scholarships available? | Yes, full and partial scholarships are available for students who demonstrate financial need. |
| If my student applies for a scholarship, will their decision be delayed? | All students will be reviewed with the same timeline, regardless of whether they apply for financial aid or do not. |
| Who teaches Publishing Academy? | Full-time Open Books staff members teach Publishing Academy lessons. Our teachers have several years of experience teaching creative writing to students in middle and high school, as well as experience writing fiction themselves. |
| Who are the Publishing Academy writing coaches? | Publishing Academy writing coaches are dedicated volunteers who have a passion for creative writing, the publishing process, and helping students reach their true potential. Most of our volunteer coaches also serve as volunteers in our school year programs, such as Creative Writing Field Trips and ReadThenWrite. |
| What is included in the Publishing Academy tuition? | Tuition includes:
- An exclusive PA notebook and pen mailed to your home - 20 days of instructional lessons and small group workshops - Access to staff, writing coaches, and editors throughout the writing process - A published copy of the final novel (additional copies are available for purchase) - Special guests, surprises, and more - If public health guidelines allow, a field trip to a publishing house and/or American Writers Museum, and a celebratory book release party at the end of the program - Special guests, surprises, and more |
| How will the virtual program work? | Our virtual programming schedule will include a mix of instruction via Zoom, small group video conferencing to workshop your writing, and assignments given for independent writing time. All video conferencing and Zoom classroom time will happen between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with an expectation that students spend an addition 2 hours each day on their writing. Stay tuned for an example schedule for more details! |