creative writing summer jobs

Jump to navigation Skip to content

Search form

• P&W on Facebook
• P&W on Twitter
• P&W on Instagram

Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work.

Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more.

Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them.

Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books.

Find publishers ready to read your work now with our Open Reading Periods page, a continually updated resource listing all the literary magazines and small presses currently open for submissions.

Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.

Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests.

Find a home for your work by consulting our searchable databases of writing contests, literary magazines, small presses, literary agents, and more.

Poets & Writers lists readings, workshops, and other literary events held in cities across the country. Whether you are an author on book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.

Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.

Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more.

Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory.

Let the world know about your work by posting your events on our literary events calendar, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

Find a writers group to join or create your own with Poets & Writers Groups. Everything you need to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other poets and writers—all in one place.

Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs.

Whether you are looking to meet up with fellow writers, agents, and editors, or trying to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice, the Conferences & Residencies is the essential resource for information about well over three hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals around the world.

Discover historical sites, independent bookstores, literary archives, writing centers, and writers spaces in cities across the country using the Literary Places database—the best starting point for any literary journey, whether it’s for research or inspiration.

Search for jobs in education, publishing, the arts, and more within our free, frequently updated job listings for writers and poets.

Establish new connections and enjoy the company of your peers using our searchable databases of MFA programs and writers retreats, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

• Register for Classes

Each year the Readings & Workshops program provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Learn more about this program, our special events, projects, and supporters, and how to contact us.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community, providing them with a network for professional advancement.

Find information about how Poets & Writers provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops.

Bring the literary world to your door—at half the newsstand price. Available in print and digital editions, Poets & Writers Magazine is a must-have for writers who are serious about their craft.

View the contents and read select essays, articles, interviews, and profiles from the current issue of the award-winning Poets & Writers Magazine .

Read essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine as well as Online Exclusives.

View the covers and contents of every issue of Poets & Writers Magazine , from the current edition all the way back to the first black-and-white issue in 1987.

Every day the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine scan the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know.

In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing.

The Time Is Now offers weekly writing prompts in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to help you stay committed to your writing practice throughout the year. Sign up to get The Time Is Now, as well as a weekly book recommendation for guidance and inspiration, delivered to your inbox.

Every week a new author shares books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired and shaped the creative process.

Listen to original audio recordings of authors featured in Poets & Writers Magazine . Browse the archive of more than 400 author readings.

Ads in Poets & Writers Magazine and on pw.org are the best ways to reach a readership of serious poets and literary prose writers. Our audience trusts our editorial content and looks to it, and to relevant advertising, for information and guidance.

Start, renew, or give a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine ; change your address; check your account; pay your bill; report a missed issue; contact us.

Peruse paid listings of writing contests, conferences, workshops, editing services, calls for submissions, and more.

Poets & Writers is pleased to provide free subscriptions to Poets & Writers Magazine to award-winning young writers and to high school creative writing teachers for use in their classrooms.

Read select articles from the award-winning magazine and consult the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prizewinners available in print.

• Subscribe Now

Jobs for Writers

• Contact the Administrator

Poets & Writers Magazine

Senior editor.

Poets & Writers Magazine is an award-winning bimonthly magazine for the creative writing community. The leading journal of its kind, it enjoys a readership of 100,000 and a robust online presence. It is published by Poets & Writers, a nonprofit organization formed in 1970 to help creative writers and the literary community nationwide.

Volunteer Engagement Program Assistant

About the Opportunity

826 Boston seeks a creative team member with strong organizational skills to serve as the Volunteer Engagement Program Assistant. We are seeking a candidate with a strong command of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and approaches, who can build on the current strengths of the Volunteer Management Team, including robust training and support that center DEI, collaborative partnerships with universities, and a culture of learning and appreciation.

Communications Director

826 Boston seeks a talented and collaborative storyteller to join the Development and Communications team at 826 Boston. Far from a traditional communications role, the communications director will oversee the storied 826 Boston brand as it is used to share student writing, raise funds for transformative programs, and engage with potential partners in unexpected ways. The Communications Director reports to the Senior Director of Development and oversees two direct reports: the Publishing Manager and the Communications and Development Coordinator. 

Independent Publishers Group

National accounts manager–amazon, europa content.

Europa Content is seeking a creative and editorial agent to join our boutique literary management and production company.

Verso Books

Sales and marketing manager.

Title: Sales and Marketing Manager

Location: New York Area

Company Overview:

Verso Books is the largest radical publisher in the English speaking world.

Position Overview:

Literary Arts

Managing director.

Location: Portland, OR (In-Person) 

Position Category: Full time, Regular 

Employee Type: Salaried, Exempt 

Reports to: Executive Director  

Salary: $120,000/year plus comprehensive benefits 

Penzler Publishers

Publishing intern.

Penzler Publishers is an independent press specializing in mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and true crime, located within the offices of the Mysterious Bookshop. We are seeking a summer intern to support our small publishing team with a variety of tasks related to publicity, social media, production, editorial, and admin. This position is ideal for anyone looking to break into the publishing industry and eager to gain a broad range of experiences across different aspects of book publishing.

InsideOut Literary Arts

Communications & development associate.

Position: Communications & Development Associate

Direct Manager: Operations & Communications Manager

Status & Location: Full-time, 35 hours/week

Hybrid role (in our Detroit office approx. 2 days per week)

About InsideOut Literary Arts:

Diversion Publishing

Royalties assistant.

Do you like working with numbers and tracking data but want to learn more about the book publishing industry? Are you a motivated self-starter who thinks no job is too small? Well, keep reading because Diversion Publishing is seeking a Royalties/Bookkeeping Assistant to join our growing book publishing team. This unique role combines the responsibilities of a Royalties Assistant along with basic bookkeeping responsibilities. Our ideal candidate should be an excellent communicator who is extremely organized and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Words Without Borders

Executive director.

The Organization

Words Without Borders (wordswithoutborders.org) is the premier destination for a global literary conversation. Founded in 2003, our mission is to cultivate global awareness by expanding access to international writing and creating a bridge between readers, writers, and translators. 

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive serves as the visionary leader and chief advocate for Kundiman. This role demands a passionate individual with a deep appreciation for the power of literature and the unique narratives of the Asian American Pacific Islander community. The Chief Executive will spearhead strategic planning, fundraising, community engagement, technical advancement and program development to ensure the organization's growth and its impact.

Qualifications:

New Leaf Literary & Media Inc.

Project manager.

Job Description: This position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. This position requires excellent planning and leadership skills across departments as well as exceptional communication, organization, problem solving and prioritization skills with a team-player mentality.  General duties include, but aren’t limited to:

Provide project management support to the CEO, COO, VP, and Merchandise Team on various initiatives and projects 

Pace University

Writing specialist.

The Part-Time Writing Specialist reports to the Manager and assists with the administration and development of the writing services program.  A secondary focus of the position is to provide tutoring sessions either by appointment or for drop-in students for both graduate and undergraduate students. This position provides direct writing support for students and student tutors. The Part-Time Writing Specialist will work to continuously adapt and grow the writing services program to meet the needs of the entire university. 

The Skirball Cultural Center

Skirball research fellow.

Overview of Project Need

National Book Foundation

Awards & communications coordinator.

The National Book Foundation (NBF), presenter of the National Book Awards, is seeking a full-time Awards & Communications Coordinator to join our small and dynamic team. The Awards & Communications Coordinator reports to the Senior Manager of Awards & Honors, and also works in close collaboration with the Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, to support NBF’s year-round marketing and communications activities, with a particular focus on the annual National Book Awards—from submissions, through announcements, to the Ceremony & Benefit Dinner.

Writer Micah Gershom

Typist for full length manuscript.

Typist sought for full-length manuscript (in English, including quotes and not infrequent interpolations in Hebrew script). Appreciated is a familiarity with Hebrew and French Structuralism re: the range of content. Ballpark range estimated 200 hours in total, for the first typescript from handwritten text, and subsequent edit.

$40/hr. Timeline of work, aimed to be completed by June ’24. 

 Please send brief description of relevant knowledge, experience, etc., and any questions to: 

Email: [email protected]

Data Manager

Reports To: Director of Publisher Development

Employment Status: Full-Time

Looking for new clients? Meet them on Reedsy

Create a free account to receive requests from authors.

Last updated on Aug 13, 2021

20 Creative Writing Jobs for Graduates (+ Entry-Level Positions)

Being passionate about creative writing hasn’t always been associated with a stable career path, but that’s not to say that there aren’t any opportunities out there to bring well-written stories into your job. In fact, we’re here to talk about 20 different creative writing jobs — 20 professions that let the storyteller in you shine! We’ll discuss the industries, entry level jobs, and potential income for each job below. 

When it comes to creative writing, the first thing that pops up in our mind is books! While writing is the obvious option (and we’ll cover that later on in the post), most writers choose to work in one of the following positions in the publishing industry to gain financial stability first. 

❗ Note: The “per book” rates below are made with 50,000-60,000 word manuscripts in mind. 

1. Ghostwriter 

👨🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: freelance writer, ghostwriter, editorial assistant 

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $2,000-$9,000 per book or $0.10-$0.15 per word

If you’re all about creative writing but you’d prefer an upfront payment for your words, then ghostwriting is the job for you! Here’s how it works: an author hires you to help them write their story. It could (and usually is) a memoir or an autobiography which the author doesn't have the time or skills to write themselves. Fiction authors also sometimes use ghostwriters to help them write sequels and satisfy popular demands. 

Ghostwriters are freelancers, so you can start by getting some freelance writing gigs. As a beginner, you might start with short-form projects like articles, white papers, website content. Here are some resources, complete with tips from experienced professionals, that might be helpful:

• How to Become a Ghostwriter in 6 Essential Steps (+ Tips from Professionals) 
• How to Start Freelance Writing: 5 Steps to a Soaring Career
• How Much Do Ghostwriters Make: The Ultimate Breakdown

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: editorial assistant

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $25,000-$30,000 per year or $800-$1,000 per book

Writing is actually not all there is to creative writing jobs — if you really love stories and are always finding ways to make a story better, then editing is a suitable profession for you. There are many types of editors: some (like development editors) work more on the plot and theme of the book, and others (like copy editors ) specialize on its language and style. 

Editorial assistant jobs are the common first steps to this career path. Entry-level positions are quite competitive in publishing, so you’ll likely need a relevant degree (English Literature, MFA, etc.) to get the job. 

Freelancing, as always, is an option, but it can be quite difficult to get clients if you start without any editing experience. Oftentimes, editors start working in-house and later transition to freelance . 

Below are some more resources for you if you want to pursue this career path:

• How to Become an Editor: A Guide for Beginners
• Copyediting Certificates: Do You Need One and Where to Get It?
• Editor Salary: Can Your Skills Pay the Bills
• Working in Publishing: An Insider's Guide

JOIN REEDSY

Find exciting new projects

We connect publishing professionals with our community of 1,500,000 authors.

3. Proofreader

👨🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: freelance proofreader

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $20-$30 per hour or $550-$650 per book 

Proofreading comes after editing — the proofreader reads the manuscript one final time, after all the revisions are made, to see if any spelling and grammatical errors are missed out. They’re incredibly crucial to the production of a spotless book, so there’s never a shortage of proofreading jobs . 

This task is often done on a freelance basis, either by full-time freelancers or by editors who want to take on side jobs. You can specialize in proofreading alone, though most professionals will combine editing and proofreading crafts for better income. As a beginner, opportunities for short-form projects will often be more accessible — stay open-minded about taking them up, but also do some proofreading training to prepare for more exciting gigs. 

We’ve also got some resources for this topic for you to check out:

• How to Become a Proofreader: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
• How to Choose Your Proofreading Rates

There’s more to journalism than just breaking news on CNN, which means there’s plenty of space for the creative writer in you to flourish in this industry! Let’s take a look at a couple of options you can consider. 

4. Columnist 

👩🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: fellowships, junior writer/columnist, freelance writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $25,000-$35,000 per year or $100-$300 per piece 

If you like creative nonfiction , you probably have already considered becoming a columnist. In fact, you can even be a books columnist! Job options range from book-specific sites like Electric Literature or Literary Hub, to prestigious newspapers like The Guardian or The New Yorker. But that’s not necessarily the only thing you can write about! You can become a columnist in just about any topic, from social issues to entertainment, as long as you’re interested in the niche. 

Look out for fellowships and junior writing jobs in newspapers and magazines and get ready to apply! A degree in relevant subjects like Journalism or English Literature is a great advantage, though your ability to follow up on leads, conduct thorough research, and keep up with the latest trends in a certain niche will be carefully assessed. You can also be a contributing writer first to forge a relationship with the editors before going after a full-time position. 

👨🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: junior writer, freelance writer

There’s a fine line between a critic and a columnist: critics are usually more academically inclined, and they often work more on the arts than columnists. Columnists cover social issues, sports, entertainment in their more general sense, while critics while home in on a particular piece of art, literature, theatre, or movie to offer expert assessment of it. 

Similar to the columnists, you can begin with junior writing positions and freelance gigs, in which you build up a writing portfolio of relevant work. Ideally, critics will be more savvy to the technicalities of whatever subject you critique — be it filmography or literature. In other words, formal training like a bachelor’s degree is a good launch pad. 

6. News journalist 

👩🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: staff writer/journalist

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $30,000-$35,000 per year 

Writing news articles is different from the writing column pieces: a journalist must maintain an impartial voice and be succinct. Moreover, you’re always looking out for the latest story, whether on social media or on the street (which is where your love for creative writing can come in). 

The most common way to get into news journalism is to get a salaried position. You can also apply to internships as well, and there are compensated ones to look out for. What you will need is a degree and some journalist training so that you can use shorthand, know what makes a good story, and know what sources to chase, among other things. 

7. Investigative journalist 

👨🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: staff writer/journalist

And what if you’re a fan of true crime ? You might find yourself drawn to investigative journalism! You can chase the tail of anything under the sun, from kidnappings to factory production, from local to international events, so long as there’s an uncovered story there. The topic will often be assigned to you by an editor, and you’ll be given some time to collect information and write the article. It’s a slower pace than daily news, but it’s thrilling nonetheless. 

Similar to the news path, you’ll likely start off with an internship or a junior writing position. With this job opportunity, you can build a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to peel back the layers of the onion to reveal new insights to a matter. Again, a degree and training in journalism are essential. 

Copywriting

Copywriting is writing to sell a product or service, and it could be anything from newsletter emails to slogans to even commercial scripts! There’s definitely a creative element to it, as you’re always looking for a unique and memorable way to capture the attention of consumers. And since it's so rooted in consumption culture, copywriting is definitely a writing career that's in demand!

Below are several types of copywriting jobs you can go into. 

8. Technical copywriter

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: technical writer, freelance writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $32,000-$38,000 per year 

A technical writer works on instructional materials for manuals, white papers, and other informative pieces of writing. A technical copywriter combines that level of specialty with marketing tactics, thereby focusing on promoting products and services that are a bit more, well, technical. Think electronic companies, software developers, repair and maintenance services. 

Ideally, you’d have some education or experience in technical sectors (i.e. IT, engineering, finance). That way, you won’t take too much time to familiarize yourself with the jargon, and employers are more likely to hire you. You can also begin with technical writing, if you don’t mind working on material that’s a bit less creative. 

9. Advertising copywriter

👨🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: junior copywriter, communications copywriter

For a more creative writing job, you can go for advertising. This often involves a lot of brainstorming with the creative team of your agency to come up with advertisement campaigns that will leave a mark. When working on this you can write all kinds of content, from slogans to image copies to web content. 

Having a bachelor’s degree in marketing or an essay-based discipline is usually beneficial if you’re looking for this kind of job. You can work for a big brand, which will constantly be needing new content, or you can work for a marketing agency, tailoring your work to every client. 

10. PR copywriter

👩🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: junior copywriter

Public relations (PR) is, simply put, the art of building a good reputation, whether that’s for an individual or a brand. You’ll work on press releases, report and presentation writing, material for internal and external communications to present your client’s motivation and direction. 

For this kind of job, the precision of your language and your ability to stay up to date with the competitors will be important. A degree in communications or business administration are a plus point. And as is often the case in most writing jobs, the ability to find the human story behind everything will be your best tool. 

Content Marketing

Nowadays, traditional marketing on TV, billboards, and posters are only a part of the industry, the other is all about online content. And with so many things zooming about on the Internet, every company will be looking for the most creative person to help them stand out. Which means you get plenty of opportunities to be imaginative, working on website content, blog posts, social media posts, and even videos.

11. Social media manager 

👨🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: assistant/junior/freelance social media specialist

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $20-$30 per hour or $30,000-$35,000 per year 

With our evermore online world, social media-related jobs definitely is a writing career that's in demand. So many things can happen on social media — you might very well go viral overnight! The challenge is getting there. As a social media manager, you get to be the voice of the company, interacting with customers in a friendly, casual way, while also learning their habits and preferences so that you and others on your team can better engage with them. 

This is a relatively hands-on job, so experience running a public social media account is the best thing you can have on your CV. A degree in communications can be beneficial, though many job postings don’t require anything specific.

12. Blogger

👩🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: blogger, freelance writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $0.10-$0.15 per word

Blogging is probably something you’re familiar with as a writer — but do you know it can earn you a good penny? By focusing on a specific subject (it can be books , technology, fashion, the freelance life, etc.), you can attract companies who are looking to strengthen their brand awareness and will sponsor you. It’ll take time to build an attractive platform, but it’s definitely possible. 

Beyond that, you can write for others as well. There are plenty of websites that promote creative writing jobs all over, so you can sift through them for the suitable ones. No degree requirements for this job, just your skill with a (proverbial) quill! 

13. Content creator 

👨🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: content marketer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $27,000-$34,000 per year 

If you’re happy to do a bit of everything, then apply to become a content creator. You’ll also get to collaborate with a team to come up with an overall strategy in this position.

You can work for all kinds of companies in this career. A bachelor’s degree in Marketing, English, Communications are highly relevant, though adjacent, essay-based subjects tend to do the job, too. Brushing up on search engine optimization (SEO) is also wise. 

Pop culture, the latest rumors and gossip, interesting observations served on a pretty platter — if any of that sounds interesting to you, you can jump into the media industry. Here are some job options if you want to take this route. 

14. Screenwriter

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: assistant/associate writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $20-$30 per hour or $9,000-$15,000 per project 

Everyone of us has probably at one point or another thought about entering the film and TV industry, and that career goal is definitely achievable, if you know where to look. A lot of people start with assistant positions to learn the ropes and get an opportunity to work on bigger productions. If you prefer to write from the get-go, you can go for lower-budget projects. 

To get one of the assistant positions and put yourself out there, touch up on craft skills like plotting, story structures , character-building to be prepared. No qualifications are specified in most cases. 

15. Broadcast journalist 

👨🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: staff writer

We’ve covered written news — now comes broadcast news. From televised reports to radio sessions, you can be the writer behind the words that reporters or presenters read out. It’s a fast-paced job that deals with the latest real-life stories, which can be incredibly rewarding, even if it’s not explicitly creative. 

Many broadcast journalists work project by project (unless it’s periodical news), almost like a freelancer. You’ll still need to have all the skills necessary to put together a good news story, so some journalist training will be beneficial. 

16. Podcaster 

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: assistant/associate writer or producer 

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $18-$25 per hour, or $26,000-$32,000 per year 

Along the same lines as a broadcast journalist is the job of a podcaster. This is a bit more topical than journalism, and you can really home into certain fields and explore it in depth. Another special thing about podcasters is they usually host the shows, too! So if you’re confident about your voice, and about interviewing others, there’s no reason not to try this out. 

As with screenwriting, the route to get into this sector can be a little bit challenging, since it’s often a case of catching an opportunity from the right people at the right time. Which is why assistant jobs are a strong start. 

And finally, we arrive at the section that hopeful writers often dream about more than anything else. Publishing a book is not easy, it requires not just time and effort but also finances, if only to keep you afloat while completing the manuscript. That said, it’s possible to do it on the side with another full-time job, as is the case for most published writers. 

The cool thing about this career is that you are your own boss — i.e. there are no entry level positions. You are an author the day you call yourself one. 

17. Short story writer

Short stories are charming in their own right, and with the booming literary magazine sphere , there’s no shortage of space to get your words out there into the world. Publishing an anthology with a publisher is also an option but it’s harder — you often need to have an established career first. 

In any case, most magazines aim to have enough funds to pay their contributors. Small ones can pay $15-$20 per story, bigger ones $100-$200. You can also enter writing contests to win higher prizes.

18. Novelist 

Being a novelist comes with the difficulty of having the time and finances to write a full draft before you can propose it to publishers, or even publish it yourself. It’s a long commitment, and it doesn’t guarantee a payoff. If it does get printed, a book deal can get you an advance in the $5,000-$15,000 range. If you self-publish, what you get depends on how well you market your books — emphasis on the plural noun!

That said, it’s not impossible. We’ve got a whole post on how to become a novelist here if you want some pointers from famous writers like Anne Lamott and Zadie Smith! 

19. Nonfiction author 

Who says creative writing jobs have to be all about fiction? Creative nonfiction is a growing field that’s always welcoming new stories. From memoirs and biographies to true crime, from self-help to essay collections, you can focus on many different topics with this option. 

The nice thing about it all is that unlike fiction writers, you can pitch your book proposal to publishers before you complete a whole manuscript for nonfiction titles, meaning you can be guaranteed some kind of results before you start writing. The advance amount is similar to that for novels.

And last but not least, you can become a poet! Poets tell stories with rhythm and rich imagery, and not just on paper but also with their voice. Performing poetry is one of the special advantages that comes with this form of writing. Not only does it let you and the audience experience in a new way, it’s also a great opportunity to grow as an artist. 

On top of that, you can also dabble in other industries (advertising, music producers…) as a lyricist. As it’s a gig-based employment, you probably want to diversify your work portfolio to make sure there’s always something you can work on. The rates are usually similar to that of a ghostwriter.

And voila, that’s the end to our master list of creative writing jobs! Hopefully, there’s something to help you passion live on among this many options.

Earn more than you would at a publishing house

Create your free Reedsy profile to get started.

Create your Reedsy freelancer account

We have some great projects already lined up for you to work on.

Become a freelance editor with Reedsy

We connect the best editors in publishing with 1,000,000+ independent authors.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

A powerhouse of voices. A champion of different perspectives. A pipeline of talent.

A POWERHOUSE OF VOICES. A CHAMPION OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. A PIPELINE OF TALENT. This is Girls Write Now.

Connect with us, internship opportunities, the girls write now community is bursting with talent here, we collect exciting internship opportunities across industries where young writers and leaders can jumpstart their careers..

Internships are a great way to gain knowledge about the culture and day-to-day operations of a specific industry! Internships are usually reserved for high school, undergraduate and graduate students and often offer school credit or base pay. They can last anywhere from several months to a year.

During the current “Work From Home” era, you can look at these five tips for virtual internships .

Featured Roles from Girls Write Now Partners

Applying to featured partner opportunities is a two-step process.

By completing ONLY step one, you have NOT applied to the position.

• Fill out the Employment Opportunity Interest Form . This lets us know you’ve applied directly with the employer. We will keep your materials on file for review in the event that an employer reaches out to Girls Write Now for a additional insight or for a reference.
• Apply directly to the position —and make sure to include in your application that you are from the Girls Write Now community!

Production Intern | Magnet Media NYC, NY/Remote Magnet Media is a strategic studio that helps brands connect with an audience via video production, podcasts, and social media content. At Magnet, we are driven by our passion for telling stories that matter. We are looking for someone with shared passion to add on to our current team. Ideal candidate may have interest and experience with videography/filmmaking, video editing, graphic design, animation, or coordinating video productions. Your interests and skillset will influence what you learn and work on. Interns will be a part of our production team and help producers create video content. Responsibilities mainly fall under video editing and production. This may include crew outreach, assisting with schedules and paperwork, and editing in Adobe Premiere and After Effects. Intern, Entertainment | New York Post  New York City, NY The New York Post is looking for a talented Entertainment Intern for the summer! Responsibilities will include tracking social media, SEO data and target trending entertainment story ideas, pitching story ideas to entertainment editors on a weekly basis, reporting and writing entertainment stories as assigned by entertainment editors, assisting other department writers and editors with research and reporting and building and producing web stories as needed. Please complete this Opportunity Interest Form in addition to applying directly with the prospective employer. Girls Write Now will hold your application materials on file in case we are contacted by an employer for additional insight or references for the role! Writer’s House Intern Program (WHIP) | Writer’s House New York, NY The Writers House Intern Program (WHIP) is both a publishing course and a practical internship. The WHIP aims to train and educate its participants in the ways of publishing through the lens of a literary agency. To that end, participants engage a robust curriculum that takes twelve to sixteen weeks to complete and includes the 8-week “Editorial Bootcamp,” the 8-week job search skills workshop, and a series of tutorials, seminars, and one-on-one career consultations. The program is offered three times a year: Autumn (October-January), Spring (February-May), and Summer (June-August). Interns participate twenty-four hours a week for the length of the term and receive a $200 monthly stipend. Please complete this Opportunity Interest Form in addition to applying directly with the prospective employer. Girls Write Now will hold your application materials on file in case we are contacted by an employer for additional insight or references for the role! Telemundo Intern | NBCUniversal   Philadelphia, PA NBC Telemundo62 is looking for an intern to help plan and develop unique digital content. This intern will play a major role in supporting the digital team by finding high-interest stories and posting content to digital and social platforms, including articles, videos, social posts and interactive content. The digital intern is also expected to assist editors and producers by conducting research and compiling information for special sections, enterprise stories and breaking news and sports news and events. Please complete this Opportunity Interest Form in addition to applying directly with the prospective employer. Girls Write Now will hold your application materials on file in case we are contacted by an employer for additional insight or references for the role! Editorial Intern | Hachette Group   New York, NY As an HBG editorial intern at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Christy Ottaviano Books, you will have the opportunity to work closely with seasoned professionals and gain hands-on professional experience as you own day-to-day tasks, help with special projects, and attend departmental meetings.  Please complete this Opportunity Interest Form in addition to applying directly with the prospective employer. Girls Write Now will hold your application materials on file in case we are contacted by an employer for additional insight or references for the role! Summer Internship | One Story   Gowanus, NY One Story is seeking paid interns to join their team for the summer (June–August). Interns will gain experience in all aspects of a small nonprofit literary publisher, including reading submissions, assisting with educational programming, social media, and more. Please complete this Opportunity Interest Form in addition to applying directly with the prospective employer. Girls Write Now will hold your application materials on file in case we are contacted by an employer for additional insight or references for the role! Summer Internships | NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services New York, NY The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) is looking for its next class of Summer interns, with a variety of positions available across departments. Please apply directly with the prospective employer and complete the corresponding Opportunity Interest form linked below. Girls Write Now will hold your application materials on file in case we are contacted by an employer for additional insight or references for the role! Event Assistant Intern – Opportunity Interest Form Training and Engagement Intern – Opportunity Interest Form  Training Evaluation Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   Digital Communication Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   First Deputy Director Team Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   Legal Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   Financials Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   Finance Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   Communications Intern – Opportunity Interest Form   Change Strategy Intern – Opportunity Interest Form

Other Opportunities for our Community

Mentor Initiative | Writer’s House In continued acknowledgement of and response to the lack of BIPoC in the publishing industry, Writers House has implemented the Writers House Mentor Initiative (WHMI), an entirely virtual experience for BIPoC-identifying people, who are either interested in breaking into the business or in the early stages of their careers. Spearheaded by Michael Mejias, the WHMI has a rolling admission policy and is offered three terms a year: Autumn (October-December); Winter (February-March); and Spring (May-June). Visit the website to apply by sending in a cover letter and resume. Swarthmore Fly-in Program | Swarthmore College  Swarthmore, PA Swarthmore is looking for student nominations for their Discover Swarthmore (DS) fly-in program, an all-expenses-paid visit to one of the best liberal arts and engineering colleges in the country. Prospective students get a taste of the college experience by meeting current students and professors, eating in our dining hall, and spending a few nights in our residence halls with student hosts. They also gain valuable information about college admissions and financial aid from our staff of experts. All current high school juniors (graduating in Spring/Summer 2025) are eligible for Discover Swarthmore. First Tech Fund Fellowship | First Tech Fund  Applications are now open! This year-long fellowship puts low-income students in NYC  for success in college and careers, provides them with free access to technology, and creates a community of support. Fellows attend virtual workshops to receive skills training, mentorship and discuss career readiness topics; meet virtually with industry-specific mentors on a monthly basis, and attend networking, professional development, and volunteer events with our corporate and community partners throughout the year; and are eligible to receive free technology based on their needs. Deadline: May 11, 2024.

Explore More College & Career Resources

InternshipS FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

ScholarshipS FOR HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE STUDENTS

Writing CONTESTS & PUBLICATIONS OPEN TO youth

Girls Write Now

For 25 years, Girls Write Now has been breaking down barriers of gender, race, age and poverty to mentor the next generation of writers and leaders who are impacting businesses, shaping culture and creating change. Thank you for joining our movement.

Join the Community

From mailing list to mentoring and more…, give write now, invest in the next generation of leaders.

247 West 37th Street, Suite 1000 New York, NY 10018

Search form

• Login/Register
• Upcoming Workshops
• Where to Start
• The Book Project
• Poetry Collective
• Writing in Color
• Queer Creatives
• Community Partnerships

Young Authors Collective

• YWP Anthology
• Young Writers Summer Camp
• Community Programs
• Upcoming Events
• Writing Communities
• Fellowships
• Visiting Authors
• Readings and Parties
• Member Events
• ILLUMINATION 2024
• Cheat Sheet
• 2-Day Intensives
• Virtual Lit Fest
• Agents/Editors
• 2024 Lit Fest Fellows
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• Gift Certificates
• Monthly Giving
• Planned Giving
• Lighthouse Supporters
• Become a Member
• Our New Home
• The Lookout
• In The News
• Mission and Values
• Board of Directors
• Reports and Publications
• Location/Contact
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Access (EDIA)

Young Writers

Lighthouse's Young Writers Workshops are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. There are no grades here, just the stories. We offer workshops at Lighthouse including afterschool and weekend workshops, the Young Authors Collective, and summer camps, as well as youth outreach in schools, at juvenile residential treatment centers, and in collaboration with other arts organizations.

For the latest on workshops and events,  sign up for our Young Writers Program e-newsletter . 

Lighthouse connects kids and teens to words, new friends, and a writing community. We offer workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and many other genres and topics. Our classes are taught by published authors and are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing.

Summer Writing Camps

Lighthouse's Young Writers Camps are led by published and award-winning writers, and each workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing in young writers aged 8 to 18. Registration for half-day camp and applications for full-day camp will open on January 1, 2019.

School Outreach

The Young Writers Program offers creative writing workshops in public and private schools as well as juvenile residential treatment centers throughout the Denver metro area. Led by working, published writers with a passion for sharing their craft, our outreach workshops provide access to our innovative creative writing programming for young people who cannot come to Lighthouse.

The Young Authors Collective, or YAC, is a group of talented, word-obsessed high school writers dedicated to experimenting with new creative forms, collaborating with other arts organizations, and writing a ton. We meet once a week at Lighthouse to generate new pieces, give friendly feedback, and work towards publication.

Support Young Writers

Our Future Scribes Depend on Your Support. Nearly all of the workshops and projects that will engage 2,300 students this year are free to attend, and for the sessions that do have tuition, such as summer writing camp, financial aid is available for any student who needs it. We want all young people who want to write to be able to do so and for them to be nurtured by the best instructors and mentors available. This only happens with the support of generous donors like you.

Jobs, Internships & Grants

COUNTERCLOCK PATCHWORK

COUNTERCLOCK Journal( counterclock.org ) is a triannual literary arts magazine established in 2017 with the aim of healing, destigmatizing, and empowering authentic narratives. We are currently open to applications for PATCHWORK, a fellowship program that allows poets and filmmakers to explore, illuminate, and grow by collaborating on poem-films. Over the course of our ten-week long program, poets and filmmakers from around the world are partnered together to write, produce, direct, and edit their very own miniature motion pictures. The deadline to apply is April 19th, 2024. The time commitment ranges from 2-4 hours per week, and the fellowship takes place completely online. We invite students from UChicago to submit their applications in the coming weeks.  You can find out more information about applying to PATCHWORK at  counterclock.org/patchwork-apply , and you can view previous PATCHWORK films at  counterclock.org/enter-patchwork .

ISAC Museum Educators 24-25

Teach education programs to K-12 school, family, and youth groups at the ISAC Museum. As a Museum Educator, you will be trained in inquiry-based instructional techniques, engaging teaching techniques, and how to manage a classroom as well as learn ancient history and archaeology. These positions will develop your public speaking and leadership skills, and you will learn how to interact and engage with large groups of varying ages, ability levels, and diverse backgrounds.

Undergrad and graduate students encouraged to apply. A cover letter and resume can be sent to  [email protected]  by April 22nd at 8:00 am. 

Institute of Reading Development

The Institute of Reading Development is now hiring summer teachers for our reading programs for students of all ages.  

Luminarts Fellowship  

Deadline: February 16. The Creative Writing Fellowship awards excellence in creative writing in the categories of poetry and/or prose, both fiction and nonfiction. 

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old on the date of applying. Be currently enrolled in, or have completed, a degree program, conservatory, or other professional artist development program (not necessarily specific to the program for which you are applying). Live within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop.

Deadline: Rolling. We would like to introduce you to  Eloquenti  – an online marketplace of freelance proofreaders, editors, and writers. Looking for remote freelance jobs? Unlock new opportunities for flexible work, secure and smooth payments, and customer support for your professional services. If you are a native or bilingual speaker with experience in proofreading, editing, and scientific writing, come join our network of world-class experts and professionals. Joining Eloquenti is free. Sign up here and we will send you more information about the application process.

The Graham Foundation

The Graham Foundation seeks an intern to work closely with the Foundation's staff to support the organization's daily operations. This internship is suited for students in architecture, architecture history and theory, art history, or related fields. An interest in a career at a foundation, nonprofit, or arts and cultural institution is preferred. Internships are intended to expand knowledge of operations at a nonprofit arts and cultural institution, which can include grantmaking, the production of exhibitions and public programs, archiving, and visitor services. Click here for more info. 

MR Screenwriting Fellowship

Deadline: Sign up for updates The 2023 Minority Report (MR) a paid fellowship program for underrepresented student screenwriters that provides a paid stipend of $1,000; Meetings with managers, agents, and executives from UTA, 3Arts, and more; Script readings from production companies like A24, Blumhouse, Big Beach, Paramount, and Plan B; Panels with top writers and directors (previously The Daniels, Chloe Zhao, Barry Jenkins, Shaka King, and more); Personalized mentorship from industry leaders. Click here for more info.

  Freelance Audience and Social Media Manager

New York Focus is seeking a freelance audience and social media manager who will help our new publication develop a comprehensive audience strategy, grow our social media channels, expand our newsletter subscriber base and help us think about how to optimize for search and other metrics. Pay starts at $30 an hour, commensurate with experience. This position will require approximately 16 hours a week for three months. This position is a remote position and applicants can be based anywhere. Please submit a resume to  [email protected]  to apply. The application deadline is September 25, but we will consider applications on a rolling basis – submit earlier if you can. Politico Internships and Full Time Roles Interested in Journalism & Politics? POLITICO is actively hiring full time and internship roles for Summer 2023 Come hear from the Talent Acquisition Partner and Politico team members on what they do, culture, and student Q&A. Politico, known originally as The Politico, is a political journalism company based in Arlington County, Virginia, that covers politics and policy in the United States and internationally. Click here for more info.

Useful Contacts

Ben Waltzer , UChicago Careers in Media, Arts, and Design Senior Program Director

Denise Dooley , Student Affairs Administrator