Art of Writing provides UC Berkeley undergraduates with paid literary internship opportunities (writing, editing, social media, etc.) with partner organizations.
Transit Books nonprofit publishers is hosting an Art of Writing intern for Spring and Summer 2026.. This internship comes with a $3,000 stipend provided by Art of Writing. The internship is in-person at Transit Books, and the intern will work in their Berkeley office in two 5-hour stints per week.
The hired intern must keep a monthly informal written log of activities and reflections, shared with Art of Writing, in order to receive their stipend. Art of Writing may also conduct an informal Zoom debrief of the experience at the end of the internship.
The application will close at midnight on January 10, 2026.
About this internship–
Site Supervisor:
Ashley Nelson Levy, Publisher
Mission of Organization:
Transit Books is a nonprofit publisher of international and American literature, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 2015, Transit Books is committed to the discovery and promotion of enduring works that carry readers across borders and communities.
Transit Books publishes a carefully curated list of award-winning literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, essay, and literature for children. Transit authors have received the Nobel Prize in Literature, a National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN Translation Prize, and have been finalists for the National Book Award, the International Booker Prize, the National Translation Award, and more.
Job Responsibilities:
Transit Books is hiring a Spring-Summer Intern to provide support across departments, with an emphasis on editorial/production, social media management, and office administration, reporting to the Publisher.
The ideal candidate will share our commitment to publishing boundary-pushing literature from around the world, and possess the creativity, sensitivity, and vision to write copy for everything from marketing materials to social posts; design social assets and marketing collateral; and evaluate manuscripts for acquisition. Proficiency in InDesign is a plus. The intern is also responsible for supporting the Publishing Assistant with all books coming and going from the Transit office, and should be prepared to fulfill online orders, carry out subscription mailings, and send out galleys and other marketing materials.
Job Responsibilities:
- Taking the lead on growing and managing our subscription program—including database management, outreach, and mailings—and fulfilling online orders
- Creating social assets, developing social media strategies, and running social accounts
- Reading, tracking, and reporting on submissions
- Working closely with the Publisher and Publishing Assistant throughout the editorial and production process, including, liaising with authors, translators, and agents; clearing permissions; copyediting and proofreading manuscripts and materials; and inputting changes to typesets
- Writing copy for information sheets, catalogs, newsletters, and press releases
- Supporting metadata input and upkeep for frontlist and backlist titles
- Working closely with staff on event outreach and management, including the planning and execution of our Spring Fundraiser
- General office administration
Job Requirements
- Enthusiasm for and knowledge of literature in translation and contemporary American literature
- Willingness to familiarize yourself with Transit’s backlist; existing familiarity a plus
- Excellent organizational, writing, and verbal communication skills
- A strong understanding of the Chicago Manual of Style
- Deadline management, attention to detail, and an ability to work independently on projects
- A familiarity with the publishing landscape
- Ability to take initiative on new projects and opportunities
- Proficiency in Word and Google Suite is required; proficiency in InDesign and other design software is a plus
Work Schedule:
10 hours per week, split between two 5-hour days in our office. Ability to work in person, out of our Berkeley office, is required.
Application Process:
This internship is designed to support undergraduate students who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities. Thus, we are prioritizing students with financial need and early career candidates for this program. Financial need is now measured at UC Berkeley using the Student Aid Index. See your Financial Aid & Scholarships Profile under My Finances in Cal Central to check your Student Aid Index.
To apply, complete this linked application form by midnight on January 10, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane Liaw at janeliaw@berkeley.edu.