The Cornerstone Press is a small, independent publishing house and teaching press.   As the only press of its kind in the University of Wisconsin system, and one of four undergraduate, student-staffed presses in the United States, the Press operates with the support of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Department of English and the College of Letters and Science.  

The Cornerstone Press publishes up to five titles per year. All books are produced in classes and internships offered by the Department of English. From acquisitions and editing, to layout and design, to marketing and sales, students get a chance to work in all fields of professional publishing.  Established in 1984, the press has published 45 titles to date in multiple genres.  

We are located in the Collins Classroom Center of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.


Wisconsin Public Radio Interview

Air Date: Thursday, November 7, 2019, 10:00am


Shereen Siewert welcomed Dr. Ross K. Tangedal, Director of the Cornerstone Press and representatives from the semester’s editing and publishing class.  Listen to Press staff discuss the teaching press model and upcoming titles on WPR's "Route 51" radio show!  
Pictured from left to right, top row: Jeremy Wolfe (Editor-in-Chief), Olivia Frome (Chief-of-Staff), Shereen Siewert (WPR Host), Heidi Propson (Production Director), Dr. Ross K. Tangedal (Director and Publisher). Front row: McKenna Rentmeester (Director of Operations), Tori Schuler (Marketing Director).

MORE: STORY and AUDIO


Courses related to the Cornerstone Press:

 ENGL 349 - Editing and Publishing
​Description:
Writing, editing, and preparing materials for publication, including consideration of reader/editor appeal, and ways to market manuscripts. [Editor’s note: The class must find a manuscript, produce and sell a book.] Available for graduate credit as ENGL 549.

3 cr.

 ENGL 350 - Creative Nonfiction
​Description:
Art of nonfiction writing using literary devices to write about true events. The course explores creative nonfiction forms and includes class discussion of student work.

Prerequisites:
Either ENGL 250 or ENGL 253, Instructor Consent, or Department Consent

3 cr.

 ENGL 388 - Editorial Process
​Description:
Study of the editorial process, including editorial theory, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Consider the role of the editor in various kinds of media, engage in hands-on editorial work, and consult with editors and writers. Available for graduate credit as ENGL 588.

3 cr.

 ENGL 389 - Book History
​Description:
Study of the book as a medium and its role in the development and transmission of culture, addressing the implications of topics such as authorship, printing, publishing, distribution, bookselling, and reading. Course themes will be developed both theoretically via case studies and practically via hands-on activities. Available for graduate credit as ENGL 589.

3 cr.

 ENGL 390 - Profession of Authorship
​Description:
The figure of the “author” from 1800 to the present in the United States, focusing on the writer as professional both in the literary marketplace and in the culture at large, and examining representative authors from Susanna Rowson to Toni Morrison. Available for graduate credit as ENGL 590.

3 cr.

Typically Offered: Once per academic year
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Interested in the Press?

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student English major or minor with questions about courses related to the Press, are a writer interested in publishing a book through the Press, or are looking for general Press-related, please contact:

Dr. Ross Tangedal
Assistant Professor and Director of Cornerstone Press

Stevens Point Campus
715-346-4532
426 Collins Clasroom Center
ross.tangedal@uwsp.edu

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English Department 

For general questions for the English Department regarding coursework or to connect with someone for advising please contact us at:  

Email: EnglishDepartment@uwsp.edu

Main Office: 715-346-4757