Spring 2017--Engl 495 Intro to New York Publishing Internship
Students will be introduced to the New York publishing industry through related activities at Curtis Brown, Ltd. Interns will report to agent Noah Ballard. Kelly Payne will serve as the instructor of record for this Engl 495 section. The department will accept several interns for spring 2017, and will award each intern $500 from the Nordbrock English Experiential Learning Fund. For more information on Curtis Brown, Ltd. and the agents see: www.curtisbrown.com
Requirements include:
-Appraisal of 2-3 fiction manuscripts and/or non-fiction proposals per week. Readings will come from the literary agent's slush pile, referrals, and submissions from conferences.
-Composition of regular reader's reports which focus on 1) a narrative summary of the text at hand, 2) analysis of potential reading audiences, and 3) judgment about "fit" of the text for the literary agent and publishing venues.
-Research of publishing houses (both major trade and small independents) as well as literary magazines and journals, becoming familiar with tastes and markets.
-Assisting agents on potential submissions with an emphasis on comparable titles, audience markets and author platforms.
-One trip to NYC: to shadow Mr. Ballard; to tour publishing houses and network with industry professionals; and to attend readings. Travel arrangements and funding beyond the Nordbrock English Experiential Learning Fund reward are the students' responsibility. Students must hold pre-travel meeting with English advisor and complete the UNL Student Trip Insurance form: http://hr.unl.edu/benefits/riskmanagement/studenttrip.shtml/
Learning Objectives: New York publishing interns may expect to learn:
-about the New York Publishing industry and the roles of literary agents.
-to read and respond to numerous contemporary fiction manuscripts on a weekly basis.
-to articulate one’s reading tastes and acquire knowledge of contemporary publishing trends.
-to apply critical strategies and assess the quality of manuscripts, as well as their marketability and relationship to other recent publications.
-the application of research skills to the publishing industry including how to research magazines, journals, and publishing houses.
- to compose alternate and comparable title lists, audience and market reports, and other aspects of the submission process.
-to weigh feedback and develop professional communication skills.
-to network with publishing professionals at meetings, pitches, launch parties, readings, and other activities.
-to present professional writing in a course portfolio, which must include 1) sample written work from the aforementioned objectives, 2) updated professional resume using industry models and feedback from Mr. Ballard, 3) sample cover letter/application for future positions, and 3) 5 page reflection that addresses how the internship corresponds to the learning objectives of the English major. Students will turn in their portfolio at the end of the term.
Assessment:
Grades will be rewarded based on the quality of submitted writing (presented in the portfolio) and a review by the on-site supervisor following the trip to New York City.
Application Process:
Qualified applicants should have:
-Preference will be given to student who have completed related courses or internship experiences.
Examples of such opportunities include: Engl 355, 498 Legal Aspects of Creative Activity (w/Prof. Dooling), Engl 495 Prairie Schooner Internship, Laurus editorial board experience, U of Nebraska Press Editorial or Acquisitions internship, and Daily Nebraskan editorial experience, among others.
Please submit the following documents to the English Undergraduate Advising Office:
1. Academic Resume
2. Cover letter
202 Andrews Hall / P.O.Box 880333 / Lincoln, NE 68588-0333 / (402) 472-3870 /a. Your cover letter should be addressed to Noah Ballard (Literary Agent, Curtis Brown, Ltd.) and Kelly Payne (English Advisor)
b. You should answer the following questions:
How does this internship fit into your career goals for the next few years?
What do you read and what is your familiarity with current publishing trends?