BLB Year-Round Internship Program

Internship Opportunities

Announcing Blueberry Lane Books’ spring, summer, and fall internship program, providing ongoing, invaluable work experience helping to advance the mission of Blueberry Lane Books, while giving interns the opportunity to learn about various aspects of publishing.  Our internships are not paid positions.

The fact that we are a small press means that our interns receive a relatively high degree of responsibility, and do important, interesting work. Interns deal directly with Blueberry Lane staff, as well as authors, booksellers, publishing websites, and distributors. Blueberry Lane Books, as a unique independent press with a list of insightful authors and writing, provides a great way to experience publishing first hand. Interns will gain insight into the running of an independent press and the publishing business overall. And our interns love the free books!

Writing and Editorial Interns

Editorial interns will work closely with each other and members of Blueberry Lane’s editorial staff. While assisting on a wide range of projects, interns will gain hands-on experience and training in most aspects of editorial work, while also gaining a good understanding of the professional demands of profit-oriented publishing.

Some of the following depend on your level. Interns’ responsibilities include:

• A commitment to work 15 – 25 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks (which comes to a minimum of 150 hours).
• Beta reading and making editing suggestions to work in progress.
• Evaluating fiction, and nonfiction manuscript submissions utilizing our proprietary scoring system.
• Helping to copy edit completed novels using MS Word’s track changes function within the boundaries of our editing philosophy. Learn from feedback to improve subsequent copy edits.
• Formatting novels for publication in accordance with multi-platform publishing standards. This task requires flawless adherence to guidelines.
• Researching/ fact-checking the content of contracted works.
• Researching ideas for upcoming books.
• Replying to author submissions and questions (only during open submissions)
• Seeking out promising new authors by reading print and online journals, blogs, etc. (only during closed submissions and special project periods)
• Reading our published novels to help produce appropriate book club questions and/or other book club guide material.
• Producing a variety of summaries and descriptions of our titles under specific guidelines for each function, which typically includes both business and creative elements in the copy (overlaps with marketing).
• Contributing to production of story “bibles” for existing series.  This task requires close attention to detail as well as broad analytical skills.
• Utilizing Bowker’s copyright database management system.
• Working on special projects as needed.

Qualified candidates will (have):

• Pass an editing aptitude test.
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to work independently within the context of directions and feedback.
• Access to copies of MS Word and Excel (or an acceptable workaround).
• Undergraduate courses in English or a related field (more specific requirements available for those seeking college credit).
• Dependability, flexibility, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge about and passion for the contemporary publishing industry (preferred).
• Knowledge of contemporary literature, including Blueberry Lane titles (preferred).

Marketing Interns

Marketing interns will assist the publicity and marketing function with Blueberry Lane’s promotion and sales efforts. Ideal candidates will be inventive, hard-working, web-savvy, and brimming with creative ways to market our titles. While assisting on a wide range of projects, interns will gain hands-on experience and training in most aspects of book marketing, while also gaining a working knowledge of independent publishing.

Interns’ responsibilities include:

• A commitment to work 15 – 25 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks.
• Assisting in the production of blogs, advertisements, press releases, and collateral materials.
• Assisting in novel roll-outs: The debut of new titles that will, at a minimum, utilize a Facebook event page and can include author signing.       Interns may be asked to liaison with a PR expert that we hire as an outside contractor.
• Creating web page content including social media updates, and blog ideation and/or writing.
• Producing a variety of summaries and descriptions of our titles under specific guidelines for each function, which typically includes both business and creative elements in the copy (overlaps with writing and editing internship).
• Assisting with promoting nationwide or local events.
• Assisting with tracking, formatting and archiving of book reviews and articles.
• Assisting with email to media, consumers, booksellers, and other contacts.
• Working with marketing to track campaign responses, and to research additional sales outlets.

Necessary Skills and Qualifications:

• Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual with excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• A solid knowledge and experience with social media.
• Skill in coordinating and completing special projects, as well as routine tasks.
• Strong computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office and familiarity with database management.
• Ability to work independently and with others.
• Dependability, flexibility, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• A passion for publishing, and a knowledge of contemporary literature and Blueberry Lane titles (preferred).

Art Interns

Art interns will assist Blueberry Lane’s art and production function. Ideal candidates will be inventive, hard-working, and conversant in the necessary programs. While assisting on a wide range of projects, interns will gain hands-on experience and training in all aspects of art production, while also gaining a good understanding of independent publishing.

Interns’ responsibilities will include:

• A commitment to work 15 – 25 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks.
• Assisting in the production of book covers and book design elements, including maps.
• Assisting in the production of advertisements, other supporting materials.
• Creating web page content including design elements consisting of quote or “meme” graphics.
• Assisting with online promotional initiatives.
• Special projects as needed.

Necessary Skills and Qualifications:

• Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual with excellent organizational skills.
• Understanding of web content and its requirements.
• Ability to properly credit sources of design elements and obtain necessary permissions.
• Skill in coordinating and completing special projects as well as routine tasks.
• Excellent computer skills with experience in advanced paint programs as well as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work independently and with others.
• Dependability, flexibility, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work well under deadlines.
• A passion for publishing and a knowledge of contemporary book cover styles and Blueberry Lane titles (preferred).

Cross-Training

At Blueberry Lane Books we believe that a certain amount of cross-training is crucial. It promotes teamwork and raises awareness that the whole company does not rise and fall on the efforts of a single function. We also believe in the inherent strength of sharing perspectives across departments. Therefore each intern will be responsible for secondary tasks and learn to manage this real-life situation.

FAQ

Can I spread the work over more than 10 weeks?

If we know your needs in advance, we can usually work something out to accommodate a vacation break or special circumstances.

Can I get college credit?

If you enter into a college credit program, as long as you fulfill all requirements in a satisfactory manner, Blueberry Lane Books will work with your advisor and complete all preliminaries and evaluations necessary to assist you.

Can I go through the internship more than once and get different work experience?

Yes. Not only can you switch functions, or advance through the ranks of the same function, you can also get different work depending on the season (publishing is a seasonal business).

Apply

Email a cover letter explaining your interest in obtaining a Blueberry Lane Books Internship, which specific internship you are interested in, along with your resume (attached as an MS Word Document) and the name and email addresses of two references that we can contact. Indicate what starting date or range of dates you prefer (considering your 10-week window of commitment). Send your request to Chris@BlueberryLaneBooks.com.

Due to the volume of quality applicants, we are only able to respond to those who are invited to take an aptitude exam or do an interview, though we do appreciate your interest in Blueberry Lane Books.