FALL 2026 - Mountain State Press - Publishing & Editorial Intern

Name of Organization

Mountain State Press

Organization Mission Statement

Mountain State Press promotes writing in Appalachia, with an emphasis on West Virginia works, by publishing literary books written by authors throughout the region. Since 1978, the Press has published manuscripts varying in style and subject matter which hold appeal throughout Appalachia, the United States, and the world.

Mountain State Press offers talented writers a resource for publishing and an opportunity to contribute to a “regional voice.” We are honored to open up our culture and voice through writing.

Name of Internship Role

Intern

Mentor Name and Contact

Cat Pleska, President & Editor-in-Chief

pleska1@marshall.edu

Preferred Semesters of Internship (Fall ’25, Spring ’26, Summer ’26, Fall ’26, Spring ’27, Summer ’27)

Any

Number of Interns Needed for this Role per Semester

4

Average Hours per Week of Internship (10, 15, 20)

10

Mode of Internship (in-person, remote, hybrid)

Hybrid

In-Person Location

Marshall University

Hybrid percentage (% in-person/% remote)

20% in-person/80% remote

Internship Projects/Tasks/Assignments

• Participate in assessing queries & manuscripts received.
• Practice writing PR and marketing documents.
• Write book reviews.
• Learn the practical aspects of publishing: printing, creating covers/interiors, and decision making on titles and obtaining blurbs.
• Revision and editing on an actual manuscript slated for publication with the press (working with authors on changes, etc.)

Skills Intern Should Develop

• Editorial and Manuscript Evaluation Skills
• Professional Writing for PR, Marketing, and Reviewing
• Copyediting and Revision Skills (including working with authors)
• Fundamentals of Book Publishing and Production (covers, interiors, printing workflow)
• Project Management and Decision-Making within the Publishing Process
• Communication and Collaboration Skills (especially through hybrid/remote work)

Previous Skills Intern Would Need to be Successful

• Strong Writing Skills (clear, organized, and grammatically confident)
• Basic Editing or Proofreading Experience (coursework or previous roles)
• Attention to Detail (crucial for evaluating and editing manuscripts)
• Ability to Give and Receive Constructive Feedback
• Time Management and Reliability in Meeting Deadlines
• Basic Digital Skills (Microsoft Word, PDF markup, email communication, file organization)