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The Cornerstone Press is an independent publishing house and teaching press. As the first press of its kind in the University of Wisconsin system, and one of five undergraduate, student-staffed presses in the United States, the Press operates with the support of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Department of English, the School of Humanities and Global Studies, and the College of Letters and Science. Established in 1984, the press has published over 60 titles to date in multiple genres.  

We are located in the Collins Classroom Center (Room 127) of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.


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​Two Books from UWSP's Cornerstone Press Honored at 20th Annual Best Book Awards

Stevens Point, November 2023 – American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of THE 20th ANNUAL BEST BOOK AWARDS (BBA), one of the world's largest international book award programs for mainstream, indie, and self-published titles. Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in over 100 categories. Awards were presented for titles published in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Steve Fox's Sometimes Creek (Cornerstone Press 2023) was announced as the winner in the category of Fiction: Short Story, awarded to the outstanding story collection from 2021–2023. Nikki Kallio's Finding the Bones: A Novella & Stories (Cornerstone Press 2023) was named a finalist in the same category. Fox hails from Hudson, Wisconsin, while Kallio lives in Waupaca, Wisconsin.

“Cornerstone Press is proud to have not one, but two collections honored by the American Book Fest this year," said press publisher Ross Tangedal, who is also an Associate Professor of English at UWSP. “Steve Fox and Nikki Kallio are brilliant writers, and to have their work honored in this way is a testament to their talent. We are especially proud of Steve for winning the category—his outstanding work will no doubt continue to be recognized and discovered by readers all over the country thanks to this award."

Cornerstone Press publishes roughly 30 titles per year in short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, with UWSP students serving as staff members in editorial, design, and media/sales. “Neither book would exist without the committed students that work for the press," Tangedal added. “This is a banner moment for the press, our honored writers, and our student staff."

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said this year's contest yielded thousands of entries from authors and publishers around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results.

Winners and finalists of this year's contest join a prestigious group of past laureates, including Pope Francis, Amy Tan, Anne Lamott, George Saunders, Julie Andrews, Clive Barker, Vanessa Williams, and many others. 

Full results for the 20th Annual Best Book Awards can be found at: https://www.americanbookfest.com/2023bbafullresults.html​

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​New Titles Released Fall 2023

Check out our Books page for more details.

Click a title to purchase or pre-order!

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​Author Ev​​​ents

November 9, 2023 (w/ Jeff Esterholm, Jody Hobbs Hesler, and Kevin Clouther) view

February 24, 2023 (w/ Steve Fox, Nikki Kallio, and Jenny Robertson) view

November 10, 2022 (w/ Elise Gregory, Jim Landwehr, and Christopher ​​​​​Chambers) view

September 25, 2021 (w/ Robert Miltner, Patricia Ann McNair, Margaret Rozga, and Jamie Lyn Smith) view​





Courses related to the Cornerstone Press:

 ENGL 339 - Book and Publication Design

Description:
Study the art and application of book and publication design. Use Adobe InDesign Publishing Suite to create layouts, covers, and other book materials. Edit, design, market, and sell at minimum one book acquired by Cornerstone Press.

3 cr.

 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 373 - Publication for Teachers

Description:
Foundational publication and journalism basics connected to theory and practice; intended for those teaching at the middle and secondary levels in any/all subjects. Available for graduate credit as ENGL 573.

Prerequisites:
Admission to Professional Education Program (English) or Department Consent

Typically Offered:
Summer Only

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 information, please contact:

Dr. Ross K. Tangedal
Director/Publisher, Associate Professor

Stevens Point Campus
715-346-4532
127 Collins Classroom 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