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Denver Publishing Institute

Publishing Institute Course

About Us

46 years and still going strong

In the summer of 2021 the Denver Publishing Institute will celebrate forty-six years of training new talent for the book publishing industry. In July 1976 the first group of eighty-five students traveled from all around the country--and from abroad--to the University of Denver to learn about how books are published. Elizabeth Geiser, the founding director of the program, designed the curriculum, recruited the faculty and students, and ran the program while maintaining her position at Gale Research. Elizabeth was beloved for her fierce devotion to the Publishing Institute, the students and the world of books.

Since that first year, over 4,000 bright and gifted students have graduated from the Publishing Institute--many of whom have found their places in publishing houses large and small throughout the United States and around the world. They can be found at work in every aspect of our business--trade and textbooks, children's and scholarly books. They are design and production specialists, sales reps and literary agents, editors, marketers, and publishers.

The publishing professionals who comprise our speaking roster are the ones who make it happen. More than 250 executives from every area of the business have traveled to Denver and generously shared their expertise and their enthusiasm.
  • Jill Smith

    Jill Smith, Director

    Jill Smith joined the Publishing Institute in 2003 and brings to the program her deep knowledge of the curriculum, as well as a diverse background in corporate communications and business management. During her time at DU, Ms. Smith has completed her MBA through the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business. She also earned an MFA from the University of Kansas, and her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College.

  • Jennifer Conder

    Jennifer Conder, Associate Director

    Jennifer Conder joined the Publishing Institute in 2012, after working six years at a cultural and language center in the nonprofit sector, and eight years at the Tattered Cover Book Store as a bookseller, buyer and personnel representative. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Colorado College.

  • Jennifer Conder

    Margaret Shaheen, Program Coordinator

    Margaret Shaheen joined the Publishing Institute in 2015 after overseeing retail operations for the Tattered Cover's four locations and airport stores. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a Journalism, Ethics and Democracy Concentration from the University of Notre Dame and is a graduate of the Publishing Institute.