Desktop publishing (DTP) is growing increasingly popular in the writing classroom for several reasons. By using DTP, students gain experience in a variety of disciplines--writing, typesetting, graphic design, printing, and computing. DTP represents a revolutionary literacy tool for schools since it encourages students to create and publish manuscripts of a high professional quality. Yet DTP does not generally exist in schools, partly because of the expense involved and the computer expertise needed. Recently, however, two inexpensive programs that run on Apple II computers--TimeWorks'"Publish It!" and Springboard Software's "Springboard Publisher"--have been released, changing teachers' options completely. To keep computers and writing in a proper balance, DTP should be introduced in special courses designed to teach writing and desktop publishing, such as journalism courses, writing for publication courses, or literary magazine courses. DTP brings students into a new relationship with the written word. If DTP is introduced thoughtfully into the school curriculum, it can improve students' reading and writing skills, while providing opportunities for them to acquire a range of computer publishing abilities which are increasingly valued outside the classroom. (A list of DTP software publishers and mail-order houses, and several examples of DTP publications are appended.) (MM)