work with stillhouse press

At Stillhouse Press, aside from publishing great books, our primary aim is to provide educational opportunity for GMU graduate and undergraduate students through applied experience in the art of craft publishing. We seek students interested in learning about the full scope of operations within a nonprofit literary press, including professional experience in marketing and communications, publicity, acquisitions, operations, art and design, finance and others depending on need.

Stillhouse Press is a student-led press based in the MFA, MA, BFA and BA programs of the English Department at George Mason University and in the community of Fairfax, Virginia. As such, we are not currently open to queries about employment or internship opportunities from non-students or students not affiliated with George Mason University.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

Stillhouse Press maintains between four and six Graduate Professional Assistantship (GPA) positions each year, depending on need. GPAs staff the press, mentor interns and volunteers, and form the core editorial board, which makes decisions about the press’s editorial, marketing, design, and operations from year to year.

Offered to candidates in George Mason’s MFA program in creative writing upon acceptance, these assistantships offer students the opportunity to spend their time at Mason gaining professional and work experience in addition to their rigorous academic coursework. GPAs work 20 hours per week during the academic year, and positions include a full tuition waiver and stipend, as well as the option to enroll in free graduate health insurance.

Interested in our MFA program? Learn more about funding and assistantships. Applications for priority funding open every fall and close on January 15th. Apply HERE.

INTERNSHIPS

Stillhouse Press interns enjoy a flexible hybrid schedule, and a choice of time commitment and internship length. Internships are unpaid, but interns have the choice to receive academic course credit. Stillhouse Press internship supervisors are also happy to act as references and write letters of recommendation.

  1. For the duration of a full semester in the fall, spring, or summer (approximately sixteen weeks) with a time commitment of 10-15 hours per week.

  2. For the duration of two successive semesters or a full academic year, with a time commitment of 5-10 hours per week.

Interested students should send a cover letter and resume, along with the following information, to Professor Scott W. Berg (sberg1@gmu.edu):

  • Internship queries MUST include the following subject line: SHPInternship, your full name, and which session(s) you are applying for. Example: SHPInternship _ AnnieSmith_ Fall2025

  • George Mason students should include their class level (undergraduate or graduate), major/concentration, G#, and expected graduation date (ex: May 2026) in the body of their email.

  • Please specify your area of academic study, and why you are interested in working with the press.

  • Please also include a list of the section(s) you may be interested in working with, i.e. acquisitions, editorial, publicity, marketing, operations, etc.

Applications for internships are accepted yearly during the following times:

- If applying for a FALL internship: June 15th - July 15th
- If applying for a SPRING internship: August 15th - September 15th
- If applying for a SUMMER internship: January 15th - February 15th

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

Intern - Marketing and Publicity
*Currently accepting applications for FALL 2025 and SPRING 2026.

Stillhouse Press seeks applicants with a love of reading and a passion for creative promotion to work with both the marketing and publicity teams to promote our titles and the mission of the press.

Tasks

  • Brainstorm and assist with the creation of promotional campaigns.

  • Assist with running Stillhouse Press social media; assist with updates, research and outreach to drive engagement across platforms.

  • Assist with updating Stillhouse Press website.

  • Assist with creating digital designs for the publicity and marketing teams, including graphics and printed materials for promotion.

  • Attend the weekly full staff meeting and weekly publicity and marketing meeting.

  • Assist with mailing of ARC and publicity copies to reviewers and publications.

Qualifications

  • Applicants should be detail-oriented and organized, communicate effectively, and have the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.

  • Proficiency in Canva or Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) a plus.

  • Knowledge of the online literary landscape and community a plus.

Intern - Outreach and Events
*Currently accepting applications for FALL 2025 and SPRING 2026.

Stillhouse Press seeks applicants to assist with the coordination and promotion of author and press events. Applicants who can intern for a full year (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026) are strongly preferred.

Tasks

  • Assist publicists and editorial director to coordinate author events (book launches, readings/signings, conferences, festivals, etc.)

  • Work with marketing team to coordinate promotion of events on social media.

  • Create digital and printed assets for promotion of events.

  • Build and maintain lists of past, current and future venues and contacts.

  • Attend local Stillhouse events and conferences such as readings and book festivals.

Qualifications

  • Applicants should be detail oriented and have strong interpersonal communication and writing skills. Applicants should be organized and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.

RELATED COURSEWORK

George Mason also offers courses in publishing, arts administration, editing, and design. Interested students should ask their advisor about the graduate certificate in publishing practice, the publishing minor (also called “dynamic publishing”), or the major in arts administration.