Page-2-Print, a revolutionary new program, aims at educating high school students on all aspects of the publishing industry. The program was created by two authors/publishers intent on empowering younger generations with the knowledge of all facets of publishing, focusing on underserviced youth with lots to say but little awareness of where and how to say it.
Taking advantage of incredible advances in technology, Page-2-Print will teach students: writing, editing, graphic/web design, book layouts, marketing, PR, public speaking, social networking, planning author readings, and overall presentation of their work. The elective program picks ten students, who will learn the entire process of writing, editing and publishing a book. Partner-publishers will provide professionals to come in and educate the children on their specific roles, and at the end of the year their book will be published by Outside the Box Publishing, the company created by P-2-P's co-founders, Dax-Devlon Ross and Derek Beres. Their partnership with Rayo will facilitate the students' understanding of how to work within the publishing industry as a whole.
“I need people of all genders, and races and cultures to be involved in publishing … It is one of the major vertebrae in the spine of American culture, which in turn is the spine of the world’s culture.” — Walter Mosley, best-selling author
Publishing and the Life of Our Society
Books ultimately reflect the ideas, opinions and values that the industry’s elite deem important. Those ideas, opinions and values are widely disseminated and shape a society’s attitudes and behavior. As the face of the nation changes, it is critical that people from diverse backgrounds play decision-making roles in leading industries.
The Future of Books in America
“Contrary to the depressing proclamations that American teens aren't reading, the surprising truth is they are reading novels in unprecedented numbers. Young-adult fiction (ages 12-18) is enjoying a bona fide boom with sales up more than 25 percent in the past few years—Children's Book Council sales survey.” — Newsweek (May, 2008)
There exists an incredible opportunity to tap into this booming market. Page-2-Print identifies young adults from under-represented backgrounds who are passionate about books. We develop their interest early in life by introducing them to a variety of career opportunities in publishing, teaching them to master their craft from many angles.
Capitalizing on the Link Between Publishing and Schools
Schools spend tens of thousands of dollars each year on books. Similarly, trade publishers (collectively) produce thousands of new Young Adult titles each year. While education and trade publishing depend on one another, P-2-P formalizes that relationship through a mutually advantageous partnership.
Page-2-Print launches at Manhattan's East Side Community High School in Sept 2008