About the Undergraduate Writing, Literature and Publishing Major
Whether it’s the rise of niche magazines, the return of the physical bookstore, or the growth of digital self-publishing, the written word isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. Emerson College’s undergraduate Writing, Literature and Publishing BA program provides you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills across both print and digital media that are needed to thrive in this changing literary environment.
From literary history and theory to critical reading techniques and creative writing, the program offers a broad foundation in literature as an art form and publishing as an industry. Housed in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing in the School of the Arts, the program’s faculty teach courses in magazine writing, copywriting, creative writing, literary studies, and traditional and digital publishing, exploring topics from a multitude of theoretical and cultural perspectives. Our Writing, Literature and Publishing degree will help you build a future out of bringing all kinds of powerful stories to life.
The WLP program has helped me find a community of people who share similar passions for writing and publishing. By collaborating on on-campus publications, I am able to apply my knowledge from class, while continuing to learn and grow outside of the classroom.
Real-World Experience as a Writing and Publishing Professional
Writing, Literature and Publishing majors have ample opportunity to gain real-world learning experience. Here are a few examples:
- Students can write or work for a number of student literary journals and magazines, including Redivider, em Magazine, The Emerson Review, Concrete Literary Magazine, and Your Magazine.
- Emerson hosts a Pitch Slam event during which students give a one-minute pitch to a board of local and national editors for the opportunity to have their writing published.
- Beyond campus, students have access to coveted internships through our alumni network, which includes New York Times–bestselling authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Recent internship sites include: Boston magazine, Reader’s Digest, and Yale University Press.
- Through a partnership with Penguin Random House, students are mentored during a semester-long program.
Careers for Writing, Literature and Publishing Majors
Our Writing, Literature and Publishing graduates have gone on to become influential authors, screenwriters, critics, publishers, and communicators across media and industries. Examples of careers include:
- Acquisitions Editor
- Content Developer
- Literary Agent
- Marketing Manager
Notable Writing, Literature and Publishing Alumni
- Faye Brennan, Chief Content Officer, Galvanized Media
- Tabitha Dulla, Senior Managing Editor, Penguin Random House
- Jaweed Kaleem, National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times
- Rose Pleuler, Associate Editor, HarperCollins Children’s Books
