Publishing Operations Intern
About Blue Byron Books
Publishing Operations Collaborator — Blue Byron Books
Remote | Publishing / Operations / Creative Collaboration
Blue Byron Books is the independent publishing house imprint of Ridea, dedicated to redefining American culture and ideas by amplifying bold, innovative, and imaginative voices.
We're a technology-forward, digitally native publishing collective built by Millennials and Gen Z. Our growing community of writers, editors, designers, thinkers, and creatives collaborates to publish original books, develop intellectual property, and bring new ideas into the world.
We believe the future of publishing belongs to people willing to think independently, challenge conventions, and build something meaningful together.
As Blue Byron Books continues to grow, we're expanding our Operations Team to help organize, support, and develop the company.
We're looking for intellectually curious, highly organized, self-motivated individuals who love books and want to play an active role in building an independent publishing house.
This is more than an administrative opportunity. It's an invitation to help build the organization itself.
The Opportunity
The Operations Team serves as the organizational nucleus of Blue Byron Books.
Our creative teams develop books, designs, stories, and cultural projects. The Operations Team helps bring everything together—supporting collaborators, coordinating projects, improving processes, and keeping the organization moving forward.
We're looking to bring in several collaborators with different interests and strengths across four primary areas.
1. Culture & Recruiting
Help us discover, connect with, and bring talented people into Blue Byron Books.
Responsibilities may include:
- Reviewing applications from prospective writers, editors, designers, and other collaborators.
- Conducting interviews and conversations with potential collaborators.
- Identifying individuals who align with our mission, creative philosophy, and collaborative culture.
- Organizing applications, interview notes, and candidate information.
- Communicating recommendations and updates to the Operations Team and founder.
- Helping build a thoughtful, dynamic, and intellectually engaged creative community.
We're especially interested in people who enjoy meeting others, asking meaningful questions, recognizing potential, and building relationships.
2. Publishing Project Management
Help coordinate the development and publication of books across our growing catalog.
Responsibilities may include:
- Communicating regularly with writers, editors, and designers.
- Tracking manuscript progress, editorial stages, design work, and publication timelines.
- Helping collaborators establish and meet deadlines.
- Identifying bottlenecks and determining the next steps for individual projects.
- Maintaining organized project records and progress updates.
- Helping ensure that books move efficiently from concept to publication.
This area is ideal for someone who enjoys organization, accountability, problem-solving, and seeing creative projects come to life.
3. Newsletters & Communications
Help us develop a consistent communication system connecting our collaborators and readers.
We're planning two monthly newsletters:
Internal Newsletter: Sharing organizational developments, creative progress, collaborator highlights, and opportunities within Blue Byron Books.
External Newsletter: Featuring new book releases, upcoming publications, creative projects, company news, and the people behind our work.
Responsibilities may include:
- Gathering updates from across the organization.
- Writing, editing, and organizing newsletter content.
- Developing engaging layouts and presentation styles.
- Exploring publishing platforms such as Substack, Mailchimp, or other email tools.
- Helping strengthen communication and engagement within our community.
This area is particularly well suited to people who enjoy writing, editorial work, digital communication, and storytelling.
4. General Operations & Organizational Development
We're also looking for versatile collaborators who enjoy solving problems and making organizations run better.
Responsibilities may include:
- Organizing shared files, documents, and publishing records.
- Maintaining book catalogs and internal databases.
- Improving workflows and communication systems.
- Supporting administrative and organizational projects.
- Identifying inefficiencies and proposing practical solutions.
- Assisting different teams wherever additional coordination is needed.
We're especially interested in people who notice what needs to be done and take initiative to make it happen.
More Than Operations: Creative Collaboration
Everyone joining the Operations Team will also be considered a Blue Byron Books Collaborator.
We recognize that someone who enjoys organization, recruiting, or project management may also be an aspiring novelist, poet, nonfiction writer, editor, designer, or creative thinker.
We encourage that.
Operations collaborators are welcome to pursue their own creative endeavors within Blue Byron Books, propose book ideas, contribute to publishing projects, and participate in our broader creative community.
You don't have to choose between helping build a publishing company and being a creator yourself.
We want people who are excited about both.
Who We're Looking For
Above all, we want people who genuinely love books, reading, and ideas.
You might be a strong fit if you are:
- Passionate about books, literature, publishing, and intellectual culture.
- Highly organized, diligent, and attentive to detail.
- Self-motivated and capable of taking initiative without constant direction.
- Comfortable communicating with people and following up to get things done.
- Intellectually curious, open-minded, and interested in learning.
- Excited by collaboration rather than rigid hierarchy.
- Comfortable using digital tools and shared online workspaces.
- Interested in improving systems, solving problems, and building something meaningful.
- Able to take responsibility for projects and follow through on commitments.
Experience in publishing, project management, recruiting, communications, or administration is welcome, but not required.
We care more about your mindset, capabilities, initiative, and enthusiasm for what we're building.
How We Work
Blue Byron Books operates remotely, with collaborators working together across the country.
The Operations Team will meet once a week on Zoom, using Google Drive and shared digital workspaces to organize projects and communicate progress.
Our philosophy is simple:
- We give green lights, not micromanagement.
- We value initiative, clarity, and accountability.
- We encourage experimentation and new ideas.
- We believe great things are built through collaboration.
- We want people who can turn ideas into action.
You'll have opportunities to work directly with the founder and other collaborators while helping shape the organizational systems of a growing publishing company.
Why Collaborate With Us?
- Gain firsthand experience helping operate an independent publishing house.
- Work directly with writers, editors, designers, and creative professionals.
- Help build organizational systems and processes from the ground up.
- Develop practical experience in publishing operations, recruiting, project management, or communications.
- Participate in meaningful discussions about books, culture, creativity, and ideas.
- Explore your own creative projects within the Blue Byron Books collective.
- Contribute to an ambitious, growing organization with a long-term cultural vision.
We're not looking for people who simply want to complete assigned tasks.
We're looking for people who want to take ownership, contribute ideas, and help build something real.
How to Apply
Please submit your résumé and a thoughtful cover letter addressing:
- Why Blue Byron Books? What interests you about our mission and collaborative publishing model?
- Your preferred area: Which operational area interests you most—Culture & Recruiting, Publishing Project Management, Newsletters & Communications, or General Operations—and why?
- Your strengths: What experiences, skills, or personal qualities would make you a valuable member of our Operations Team?
- Your literary interests: What three books have influenced you most, and why?
- Your creative ambitions: Are there any books, writing projects, or other creative endeavors you'd be interested in pursuing alongside your operational responsibilities?
We place considerable importance on your cover letter because we're interested in understanding how you think, what motivates you, and how you might contribute to our culture.
You don't need decades of experience.
You do need curiosity, conviction, organization, and the willingness to build.
Blue Byron Books
Inspire the Future
bluebyronbooks.com