Literary Journal Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Literary journal internships offer invaluable experience for aspiring writers, editors, and publishing professionals. These internships provide hands-on training in various aspects of the literary world, from editing and content management to marketing and publicity. This article explores the diverse opportunities available, drawing from a range of literary organizations and publications.

The Allure of Literary Journal Internships

Literary journal internships serve as an in-depth introduction to the world of literary magazines and the wider publishing landscape. They offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the discovery and promotion of new voices while honing essential skills.

Types of Internships

The spectrum of internships available is broad, encompassing various roles and responsibilities. Some common types include:

Editorial Internships: These internships focus on the core editorial processes of a literary journal, including reading and evaluating submissions, providing feedback to authors, and assisting with editing and proofreading.
Marketing and Publicity Internships: These internships involve promoting the literary journal and its publications through social media, email marketing, and other channels. Interns may also assist with organizing events and building relationships with media outlets.
Administrative Internships: These internships provide support for the day-to-day operations of the literary journal, including managing submissions, coordinating events, and handling correspondence.
Digital Internships: These internships focus on managing and developing the online presence of the literary journal, including website maintenance, social media management, and content creation.

Featured Internship Programs

Several literary organizations offer structured internship programs designed to provide comprehensive training and experience. Here are a few notable examples:

The Paris Review Internship

The Paris Review offers editorial internships twice a year, with two interns per term. The six-month duration of the internship provides interns with an in-depth introduction to the publication of a literary magazine and to the wider publishing world. Interns assist with every step of the magazine’s production, particularly with fact-checking, as well as reading and evaluating submissions and researching potential interviews. In addition, they participate broadly across The Paris Review’s administrative, development, and digital departments. The Paris Review welcomes applicants with an interest in the magazine’s dual mission: to pursue the best and most exciting voices of the day and to support ambitious, inquisitive readers all over the world. In particular, they seek applicants eager to participate as the magazine moves forward with new voices and new technologies, while also celebrating the lessons of some of literature’s greatest masters. Previous Paris Review interns have gone on to find work at a wide range of publishing houses, magazines, and newspapers, among them Picador, HarperCollins, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Simon and Schuster, New York Magazine, Poets & Writers, and the New York Times. Others have gone on to enjoy successful freelance careers as editors and writers or to pursue graduate work. The internship is full-time (40 hours/week) for six months and is compensated at $20/hour, with the option to enroll in health insurance. Applicants should be able to work from our New York City office, depending on health and safety restrictions in New York.

Brink Literacy Project Internship

Brink Literacy Project’s publishing internship program seeks to bring underrepresented and diverse voices into the publishing industry itself. An internship with Brink will provide you with firsthand experience in the publishing industry. Interns typically work an average of 12 hours per week, but depending on the individual that time can vary between 9 to 15 hours. Guided by their professional staff, interns will receive extensive editorial training that covers everything from initial content and broad structural editing to perfecting final copies. The first half of the internship includes an intensive training program with our professional editorial staff. Interns learn how to coach writers from first drafts to polished publications. For the remaining half of the internship, interns will have the opportunity to work as independent Readers. Interns will assist in the creation of F(r)iction and gain experience in every step of the publication process, including editing and general content management. Interns will gain experience in industry correspondence: they will reach out to literary agents and publicists, request advance review copies for the season’s most anticipated books, and conduct Q&As with celebrity authors. Brink provides interns with the opportunity to hone their own craft and technique in order to sharpen their editorial lens. Interns will assist with the management of marketing materials, social media accounts, and online publications.

The Common's Literary Publishing Internship

The Common mentors 12 students each year as part of the Literary Publishing Internship. Participating students are involved in all aspects of publishing and work with established and emerging writers from around the world. An award-winning literary magazine based at Amherst College, The Common publishes stories, essays, poems, and images with a strong sense of place. They publish two print issues per year and maintain a vibrant digital magazine.

Copper Canyon Press Internship

All interns experience the full scope of operations within a nonprofit press, including fundraising, marketing, book production, editing, publicity, and reader engagement. Internship responsibilities depend on current needs at the Press. Applicants must be high school graduates who are passionate about poetry or literature, have strong writing and proofreading skills, have experience doing independent research, be comfortable working on solo and collaborative projects, and have coursework or experience working with language in various voices. Copper Canyon Press believes diverse representation is vital to the vision and operations of publishing. They are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive, and equitable working environment and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Volunteer Opportunities

Many literary journals also offer volunteer opportunities for individuals interested in gaining experience in the field. These positions often involve reading submissions, providing feedback to authors, and assisting with administrative tasks.

Rooted Literary Magazine

Rooted Literary Magazine is currently seeking volunteer Poetry Readers and Art Reviewers. Poetry Readers are responsible for reading and evaluating submissions with attention to voice, originality, and craft; providing thoughtful and constructive commentary to help inform editorial decisions; upholding the journal’s mission by championing diverse voices and perspectives; communicating regularly with section editors about standout pieces and trends in the submission pool; maintaining confidentiality and professionalism throughout the reviewing process; and more. Art Reviewers are responsible for reading and evaluating submissions with attention to originality and craft; providing thoughtful and constructive commentary to help inform editorial decisions; upholding the journal’s mission by championing diverse voices and perspectives; communicating regularly with section editors about standout pieces and trends in the submission pool; maintaining confidentiality and professionalism throughout the reviewing process; and more.

Best of the Net (Sundress Publications)

Best of the Net, a project of Sundress Publications, is currently seeking volunteer Assistant Editors and volunteer Readers. Assistant Editors are responsible for assisting the Managing Editor in all stages of the Best of the Net publication cycle, including verifying nominations as eligible from July to September, reading and evaluating work for the first round of the judging process from October to January, and assisting in the layout and proofing of the anthology from February until April. Editors should be familiar with a broad range of aesthetics and should have worked as a reader or editor for a literary journal or press previously. In addition, they should be familiar with WordPress and copyediting practices. Readers are responsible for evaluating work for the first round of the judging process, which usually begins in October and is completed in January when the finalists are passed along to the final judges. Readers should be familiar with a broad range of aesthetics and should have worked as a reader or editor for a literary journal or press previously.

Fahmidan Journal

Fahmidan Journal is currently seeking volunteer Poetry Readers and Prose Readers. Readers are responsible for completing weekly assignments of 5 to 10 packets of prose or poetry with a 7-day turnaround time as well as commenting on and rating submissions for editorial staff to read. They must commit to this turnaround time, be prompt with communication, and anticipate delays.

Alphanumerics

Readers for Alphanumerics are responsible for providing thoughtful, constructive feedback on submissions. Readers should be critical yet open-minded to different styles, forms, experimentation of language, and theme. They should also be fans of speculative fiction, podcast listeners, audiobook listeners, slam poets, spoken word artists, or folks who adore the craft of transforming words on the page into audible art.

Lucky Jefferson

Lucky Jefferson is seeking remote, volunteer Guest Editors eager to generate visibility for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Arab and other Middle Eastern American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voices and increased accessibility to traditionally underrepresented literature. Applicants should be BIPOC-identifying authors excited about poetry, especially new contemporary works, and Lucky Jefferson‘s mission to reinvigorate publishing.

The Paris Review Visiting Professorship at the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI)

The Paris Review Visiting Professorship at the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) is a unique opportunity for a distinguished writer to join the Bard College community and teach the study of literature to students earning Bard College undergraduate degrees while incarcerated. The Paris Review Visiting Professor of Literature will design and teach a total of three courses across the fall and spring semesters. Courses should focus on the study of literature rather than creative writing. The ideal candidate will be an emerging or established writer of fiction, poetry, plays, or literary nonfiction whose work has received critical recognition; will have published at least one but preferably two or more books; will have prior college teaching experience; and will excel in designing and teaching courses that inspire active participation from all students. This position requires completion of a clearance process for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The professor will be an employee of Bard College with compensation starting at $80,000/year. This position is eligible for benefits.

Read also: Guide to Undergraduate Lit Mags

Additional Opportunities

Beyond internships and volunteer positions, there are other ways to get involved in the literary world:

Writing Instructor Positions: Literary organizations and online platforms often seek writing instructors to lead workshops and courses. These positions can be a great way to share your expertise and earn income while working remotely. For example, midnight & indigo is seeking applicants for the paid, contract position of Writing Instructor for its online writing program, which serves Black women writers of all experience levels.
Columnist Positions: Some literary journals and websites hire columnists to write regular articles on specific topics. This can be a great way to build your writing portfolio and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Skills and Qualifications

While specific requirements vary depending on the internship or position, some common skills and qualifications are highly valued:

Strong Writing and Communication Skills: The ability to write clearly and effectively is essential for any role in the literary world.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail is crucial for editing, proofreading, and fact-checking.
Passion for Literature: A genuine love of reading and writing is a must.
Organizational Skills: The ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines is essential.
Familiarity with Literary Journals and Publishing: A basic understanding of the literary landscape is helpful.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and content management systems is often required.

Remote vs. In-Person Opportunities

Many literary journal internships and volunteer positions are now offered remotely, allowing individuals from anywhere in the world to participate. However, some organizations still require interns or volunteers to work from their office, at least part-time. When searching for opportunities, be sure to check the location requirements carefully.

Compensation

Compensation for literary journal internships varies widely. Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid. Paid internships may offer an hourly wage or a stipend. Volunteer positions typically do not offer compensation, but they can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities.

Application Process

The application process for literary journal internships typically involves submitting a cover letter, resume, and writing samples. Some organizations may also require applicants to complete an online application or participate in an interview.

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