PEN American Center, the 3,400-strong association of writers working to advance literature, defend free expression, and foster international literary fellowship, has several current internship openings. Applicants must have an interest in and knowledge of literature, and an appreciation for humanitarian and international issues to which PEN is committed.

PEN American Center internships are a great entry to the literary and non-profit worlds. Past interns have gone on to find work in publishing houses, magazines, literary scouting agencies, and literary non profits, including The New Yorker, Simon & Schuster, The Atlantic, The New School, Story Corps, and the 92 Street Y.

A minimum commitment of 15 or more hours a week is strongly preferred. Interns committing to 15+ hours a week may apply for a local travel stipend. PEN internships are unpaid and eligible for college credit.

Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. Please inquire with each individual department.

This internship will involve duties in both the Membership program and Literary Awards program. In support of the Membership program, responsibilities will include: researching authors for Membership, checking applicant references, helping with Member renewal mailings, and supporting the maintenance of the Membership database and web site. In support of the Literary Awards program, responsibilities will include: helping process submissions for the 2012 awards cycle, revising the Literary Awards section of the PEN web site, and administrative support for PEN award judges. Interns will gain a good overview of the literary and publishing communities as well as insight into this season’s most exemplary literary works across genres. Interns will also have the opportunity to help out with and attend PEN public programs, receptions, and other events and will gain exposure to the wide range of PEN’s work.

The ideal candidate works at a steady pace, is detail-oriented and independent. Excellent research and writing skills, and comfort with Microsoft Office are crucial. Must be willing to do a range of administrative tasks, from research to data entry, and be interested in learning web site maintenance.

A commitment of 15 hours per week, within normal business hours, is required. These are unpaid positions, though a local travel stipend is available. PEN internships are also eligible for college credit.

Please e-mail a cover letter and resume for Membership/Literary Awards internships to Jasmine Davey.

The Online Publications Interns will work with the Web Editors to edit and maintain the The Daily PEN American and PEN.org. Besides formatting posts and building web pages, Interns will help package content from PEN’s multimedia archive, transcribe events, update PEN’s Grants & Awards database, schedule PEN podcasts, and maintain PEN’s social media presence. There will also be opportunities to pitch ideas for posts, features, and contests, and to write for the blog.

Interns will gain exposure to the full range of PEN’s activities, from promoting its advocacy campaigns to reading submissions for literary features, from crafting PEN’s line of e-books to working the PEN World Voices Festival in the spring.

Interns will gain valuable experience in digital publishing and social media as well as the literary and advocacy communities. Excellent copy-editing skills and strict attention to detail are a must. Experience with Photoshop, audio and video editing programs, and HTML is helpful though not required.

Interns are required to commit at least 15 hours a week to in-office work. PEN internships are unpaid though a travel stipend and course credit are available.

E-mail a cover letter and resume to Chuck Leung.

The World Voices Festival/Public Programs intern will assist the Festival Director and Festival Manager with all aspects of organization for PEN World Voices: The New York Festival of International Literature. Duties will include conducting Internet research, editorial duties, event promotion and marketing, accessing and maintaining files, and various other administrative tasks. Excellent communication and computer skills are necessary (MS Word, Excel, Internet savvy), and experience with events is a bonus. Enthusiasm, a can-do attitude, and attention to detail are a must.

E-mail a cover letter and resume to Elizabeth Weinstein.

The Research Assistant will work on PEN’s upcoming 90th anniversary celebration, interacting primarily with PEN’s web site editors and the office of the Executive Director to help research and curate a year-long online showcase of PEN’s advocacy work, members, and literary programming spanning the last 90 years. Research will take place in PEN’s digital archives in New York City and at the Princeton University Library, where PEN’s hardcopy archives dating back to 1922 are kept. The Research Assistant will:

• draw from PEN’s digital archives of video, audio, and photographs of prominent PEN members and authors to select items to feature in promotion of the 90th anniversary
• travel to Princeton Library with the PEN staff and go through archived PEN material seeking relevant content
• assist in the organization and filing of 90th anniversary materials
• brainstorm and help implement social media strategies for Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube to promote the 90th anniversary

The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to learn about the breadth of PEN’s literary and human rights programs and events and how to package and amplify a message, as well as the essentials of daily work life in a nonprofit organization. Strong writing, organizational, and research skills are required; some previous office experience is a plus. A commitment of at least 15 hours per week during business hours is required. This is an unpaid position, although a travel stipend and course credit is available.

E-mail a cover letter and resume to Emma Connolly.