Publishing, BA/BS

Why Major in Publishing?

Shelf of hymnals and publishing books in the library.

From classic print books to today’s digital publications, the publishing industry blends creativity, strategy and innovation. Belmont University offers one of the few undergraduate degrees in the country focused specifically on book and magazine publishing — and the only one in the South. Located in Nashville, the second-largest publishing market in the U.S., this program offers unmatched access to the heart of the literary world.

Our publishing degree equips you with the editorial, business and marketing skills to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving literary and print media industries. You’ll study the history and ethics of publishing, gain hands-on experience in editorial operations, and explore emerging technologies shaping the future of the book publishing industry.

Choose from two tracks:

Editorial & Content Development
Marketing & Publicity in Publishing

Whether your goal is to become a book editor, literary publicist, literary agent, distribution specialist, copyright attorney, c-suite executive, librarian, or an author, Belmont’s program will help you get there.

Request Information

Ready to Apply?

Start Your Application

The Heart of Publishing

Nashville is more than Music City—it’s a literary and publishing powerhouse, ranking as the second-largest publishing market in the U.S. Belmont’s Publishing program was designed in close consultation with industry leaders to reflect the needs and innovations of today’s book and magazine world. Our strong ties to Nashville’s publishing community offer students direct access to top professionals, internships and events that are shaping the future of the industry.

From the renowned Southern Festival of Books to WriterFest Nashville — an annual gathering of writers of book, song, and screen along with their industry professionals hosted right here on Belmont's campus — students are immersed in a vibrant literary ecosystem. Belmont Publishing majors collaborate on professional-caliber projects and take specialized courses ranging from editorial strategy to marketing and publicity, library collections to book design. Students develop real-world publishing skills while building a powerful network in one of the nation’s most influential creative cities.

What You'll Learn

How you can transform your reading habit into a dynamic career
The interconnectivity of industry publishing roles and how they function together
How to write well and communicate in a professional manner fit for working in literary publishing
How to copyedit with Chicago and AP style
How to work as an author and an editor in a successful work relationship
How emerging technologies integrate and transform the book world
How to work on a team by successfully collaborating to produce professional-caliber work
How to network to further your career

Program Details

Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.

Students wanting to gain experience outside of Nashville can take advantage of Belmont USA, which allows students to apply to study at Belmont University’s satellite campus in New York City, the number one market for the publishing industry. Study Abroad and Belmont West in Los Angeles offer additional opportunities for students looking to build a broad base of experience as they intern.

Students also have the opportunity to work for Belmont publications and participate in clubs and internships, such as:

Bruin Book Club
Belmont Vision (award-winning student newsroom)
Belmont Literary Journal (student-published creative work)
Belmont Story Review (national literary publication recognized by Best American Essays)
Publishing internships in Nashville and beyond

Outcomes & Alumni Successes

Book titled 'A Fire You Can’t Put Out' on display

Graduates of Belmont’s Publishing program have launched successful careers across the literary landscape — working with book publishers, magazines, literary agencies and digital media platforms. Our alumni are employed at top publishing companies including HarperCollins, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, William Morris Endeavor Global Book Department, Forefront Books, Library Journal, and more in marketing, agenting, editorial and production roles that span the evolving world of print and digital media.

Alumni like Sydney Mathieu (Audie-Award Winning Audiobook Producer, HarperCollins), Kathryn Notestine (Associate Editor, Nelson Books), Landry Parkey (Associate Editor, Forefront Books), Kylie Frye (Assistant Sales Coordinator, Library Journal), credit the program’s strong industry connections and practical coursework for launching their careers. Belmont graduates stand out for their ability to turn a love of books into meaningful, impactful work.

We're committed to your success

Curb College's Professional Development team helps students and graduates grow their skills and networks, preparing them to enter the entertainment industry. To support this, our team offers one-on-one meetings, weekly workshops led by industry experts, off-campus networking events, and hundreds of internships each semester. We serve as ambassadors and connectors for Curb College students and graduates through active involvement in the entertainment world.

It's no wonder that 98% percent of Curb College graduates are employed, pursuing continuing education, or enlisted in the military within 6 months of graduation and 89% of employed graduates are in positions that align with their short or long term career goals.

Learn more about Career & Professional Development

Alumni Testimonials

Kathryn Notestine

Publishing

Editor, Nelson Books, Harper Collins

“I learned as a PUB major that despite different backgrounds and passions, we all love to tell stories and to find that one detail that makes your story relate to my story, his story to hers.”

Sydney Mathieu

Publishing

Audiobook Producer, HarperCollins

“Belmont focuses on coursework and internship opportunities that mirror the current publishing industry and set students up for success. At every point in my career, being a Publishing major has given me an edge.”

Kayleigh Rucinksi

Publishing

Director of Production, Ballast Books, Blue Balloon Books

“The publishing program at Belmont was a dream come true for me. Through a variety of unique and fun courses, I learned practical skills and gained well-rounded knowledge that prepared me for a career in publishing. Professor Wigal is dedicated to the success of her students and was an amazing mentor to me!”

Mary Wolford

Publishing

Marketing and Social Media Coordinator, Oldham County Public Library

“I found Publishing at a time in college when I was uncertain what the best path for me was. The program quickly proved to be an ideal combination of deep conceptual learning and hands-on experiential practice. The formation I gained while focusing on Marketing & Publicity immensely prepared me for the workforce. It helped me to reach my goal of working in children’s book marketing and publicity after graduation. Today, I work as the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for the Oldham County Public Library system in Kentucky. I encourage future students interested in Publishing to invest themselves in this capable program, as I know the faculty is willing to invest in you in return.”

Career Possibilities

Book or Magazine Editor
Book or Magazine Designer
Copyeditor
Technical Editor
Literary Agent
Literary Publicist
Book or Magazine Marketing Associate
In-House Book Sales Representative
Librarian
Audiobook Coordinator
Production Associate
Intellectual Property Attorney

Learn from Industry Veterans

Belmont’s publishing faculty bring decades of real-world experience in book publishing, editorial management and publishing business strategy directly into the classroom. Students learn from accomplished authors, editors, marketing professionals and industry leaders actively working across journalism, literary publishing and corporate book sales. With strong ties to top publishers like HarperCollins and a passion for mentoring the next generation of publishing professionals, our faculty ensure students graduate with insider knowledge, professional connections and hands-on skills that set them apart in the literary business world.