Boston Review is a national magazine of politics, literature, and ideas. Interns work throughout the year on a variety of editorial and promotional projects and have an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of editing, producing, and marketing a publication for serious and demanding readers.
Prior work experience in publishing is less important than the applicants knowledge of Boston Review and the level of commitment and creativity that he or she can bring to the magazine. All internships are unpaid, but students may be able to obtain college credit according to the policies of the revelant college or university. Applicants need not be students. Candidates are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with Boston Review before applying. Interns may work full-time or part-time (two or three days each week).
Editorial Internship (one full-time, two part-time)
Editorial interns are closely involved in the nuts and bolts of the publication process, proofreading and fact-checking articles for print and Web, helping with art research and permissions, reading submissions, and helping with writing contests. While most of an interns time is spent on end-stage editorial work, interns sometimes provide input in the development stage. There are also administrative duties.
The editorial internship is not a structued learning program, but rather a substantive work experience that provides an introduction to entry-level employment in magazine editing and production. Occasionally there is downtime, but interns typically have responsibilities that matter, not endless busywork. The skills accrued are essential to any job application, and the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of this rewarding and challenging occupation is invaluable.
The cover letter is by far the most important element of your application. It is your opportunity to explain why an internship at Boston Review is important to you and to demonstrate your abilities as a writer, which are the foundation of an editorial career.
Marketing Internship (one part-time)
The ideal applicant for the marketing internship wants to learn the business
of magazine publishing, including advertising, promotions, publicity, market research,
development, and business management. Responsibilities include managing
subscriptions, preparing mailings and invoices, publicizing the
magazine, some bookkeeping, and communicating with distributors
and booksellers. Interns have the opportunity to become involved in many types of projects according to their
particular interests.
To submit an application for any internship, please send the following materials to:
Simon Waxman
Boston Review
PO Box 425786
Cambridge, MA 02142
1) A cover letter, no more than one page. Be sure to specify whether you are applying for an editorial or marketing internship and whether you are seeking a full- or part-time position.
2) Your résumé
3) The names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two references. Please specify their relationships to you. We prefer, but do not require, that at least one reference be a past or current employer.
4) A list of five of your favorite books and a brief statement explaining why you like two of them.
5) A list of five publications you read regularly.
The terms of the internship listed are approximate and roughly parallel the university calendar. If you have vacation plans during the period youre applying for, notify us of the dates on your application. Applications must be postmarked by the following dates:
• Spring term (January–May): November 15
• Summer term (June–August): March 20
• Fall term (September–December): August 1
Please understand that we cannot consider incomplete or late applications. International applicants may submit applications via email; others should mail hard copies. If you have any questions that were not addressed here, send them to Simon Waxman (simon at bostonreview dot net).