Prison and Justice Writing Editorial Programs Internship

This internship supports the editorial needs of PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing Program (PJW), which for over fifty years has amplified the voices of thousands of writers who are creating in prisons and carceral facilities across the United States. The editorial intern will work with the Senior Manager of Editorial Projects, whose work extends across three program areas: the PEN Prison Writing Awards, the Works of Justice content series, and the forthcoming Incarcerated Writers Bureau.

Founded as a response to the 1972 Attica Riots, the annual PEN Prison Writing Awards is PJW’s founding program that offers cash prizes for exceptional work submitted from writers in prisons across the United States in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama. Winners are published in the annual PEN Prison Writing Awards Anthology, and are celebrated at the annual Break Out event in New York City. Works of Justice is a content series comprising a blog, podcast, and newsletter that engages the intersection of writing and incarceration. The Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital resource for industry professionals seeking to publish writers who live in prison, will host a bank of information about working and editing through carceral walls. The website will also feature the profiles and work of seasoned writers working from prison, with the mission of making creative and professional opportunities more accessible for all writers working from prison.

Candidates interested in this internship opportunity are welcome to specialize in a particular area of work, or explore across the three programs. For example, an applicant who is interested in future communications positions, could tailor their time to mostly work on developing content for Works of Justice, generating social media engagement, and assisting in marketing strategy for the PEN Prison Writing Awards Anthology.

An ideal candidate will be motivated to explore broader public conversations around incarceration and engage with the community supporting advocacy for arts, education, and the right to read and create in prisons.

This internship will operate from our headquarters in New York City on a hybrid schedule during normal business hours. Applicants needing a fully virtual arrangement are also welcome to apply. Candidates with diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, especially candidates with justice-involvement. This is a paid internship and would require a commitment of 15-20 hours/week over 26 weeks. All internships are also eligible for college credit.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Interns will engage with a variety of work, with the option to choose from the following tasks:

• Research, write, and edit content for Works of Justice blog
• Develop educational content for the Incarcerated Writers Bureau website, including information specific for literary, journalism, and publishing industry professionals
• Host and/or produce the Works of Justice podcast
• Implement strategies to increase audience engagement of the Works of Justice series
• Assist in the production and publishing of the PEN Prison Writing Awards Anthology, including such tasks as transcribing submissions, copyediting, and layout design.
• Update administrative handbooks for judging and conferring the annual PEN Prison Writing Awards
• Generate copy and graphics for online, on-site, and promotional materials pertaining to Break Out, the Incarcerated Writers Bureau, and other virtual and in-person engagements for the Prison and Justice Writing Program
• Administrative tasks that support the editorial and communications needs of PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing Program, including subscriber emails, social media,
• Opportunities for contributions as defined by intern interest and program needs

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Must be able to provide proof of authorization to intern in the United States
• Has a working knowledge of issues connected to the current and historical landscape of incarceration in the US
• Works at a steady pace, is comfortable taking initiative, and thrives working independently
• Demonstrates flexibility, autonomy, and carefulness in managing work priorities
• Is comfortable producing engaging written content for diverse audiences
• Has excellent communication and research skills, and is proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and G Suite
• Is interested in, and comfortable with, proofreading and editing creative writing
• Must be willing to do a wide range of administrative tasks, from research to data entry; has familiarity with spreadsheets
• Has an interest in the intersection of literature and justice

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter directly addressing specific requirements for the internship as outlined above, a resume, an unedited writing sample, and the contact information for three references. Please submit the entire application to Malcolm Tariq, mtariq@pen.org. One PDF is preferred. Please include the cycle you’re applying for, and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Summer PJW Internship – Jane Doe”).

No phone calls, please.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.