Internships in Publishing

Shady Lane · Jan 29, 2008

Hi guys,

My school has a program where we get off for a week in May in order to complete an internship in our field of choice. Cool in theory, but finding something you're interested in that offers a week-long internship is a chooore (and my principal tells me that staying at home writing doesn't count. Which really doesn't seem fair to me, but whatever.)

I was wondering if any of you had any information on how to get a good, short, unpaid internship in the publishing or lit agent world--NY is great, though anything in D.C. would be ideal (but I realize there are few opportunities for that here.) A lot of publishers have programs posted, but they're all for eight or so weeks and I don't have that time alloted...so does anyone know anything? Any secret connections or passwords that'll let me in?

Thanks,
shady

Hobbes · Jan 29, 2008

I don't know about publishers in D.C., but there is a literary agency, Graybill & English, you could look into. Just an idea.

drachin8 · Jan 29, 2008

Maybe you could try interning for an online zine for a week. Find some you like and see what they think about making you a temporary slushie or something.

-Michelle

Shady Lane · Jan 29, 2008

drachin8 said:
Maybe you could try interning for an online zine for a week. Find some you like and see what they think about making you a temporary slushie or something.

-Michelle

oooh good idea, thanks! And thanks for the name, Hobbes...I'll definitely look into them.

Esopha · Jan 29, 2008

From Google, I see that Graybill & English has broken up, but the break-off agencies (does that make sense?) have offices in DC.

Soccer Mom · Jan 29, 2008

Yes, they've split into separate offices. I agree that interning with an agent or magazine is a great alternative to the big publishing houses. Good luck, Hannah.

Shady Lane · Jan 29, 2008

Thanks! I get the whole school today tomorrow...I think I'll just start sending emails and see what happens...

Straka · Jan 29, 2008

I would check out scholastic. My gf was a marketing intern there a few years back and she had a blast. She wasn't in love with NYC but scholastic is a very good company to work. They also have a high ratio of female executives .

K1P1 · Jan 30, 2008

Why not check out...
Atlantic Media http://www.atlanticmediacompany.com/
And the list of literary journals in the DC area: http://washingtonart.com/beltway/journallinks.html

It seems to me that you might have a chance to work with a journal edited by a faculty member at a local university for a week if the corporate folks ignore you. Another option would be to contact the editors of the student papers at the local universities. If they put out a daily or a weekly paper, there's sure to be work to be done and since it's all volunteer, you should fit right in.

And what about NPR? They might let you follow an editor around for a week.

Internships in Publishing

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Hobbes

Sneaky. In a good way.

drachin8

post-apocalyptic bunny

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Esopha

bam pow zap.

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Straka

Bored Fanatic

K1P1

Procrastination is its own reward