Creative Writing Internships

Creative writing covers a wide variety of genres, from childrens' books to travel journalism and beyond. Pay attention to the area of study offered by an an internship and decide whether or not it matches your goals. Most internships, regardless of type, offer college credit, and all offer invaluable experience.

Internship Types

Internships can be paid or unpaid. Paid internships for publishing companies are usually part-time during business hours. Unpaid internships, which are easier to find, are usually offered by publishers and educational institutions to students with creative writing backgrounds.

Fellowships

Fellowships are offered to exceptional writers, often those who have been published and include room and board in locations conducive to the type of writing being pursued. These programs allow writers the opportunity to work full-time on their projects without working in other fields or applying for additional student loans.

College Credit

Many colleges, especially those with Master' s degree programs in Creative Writing, require that residencies be completed before internship credits are applied.

Length of Internships

Internships can last from a few days to several months. They are usually offered during standard school breaks. Fellowships often last for several months and are offered year-round, as they are open not only to college students but to many other writers.

Benefits

A creative writing internships can expand your portfolio and can eventually lead to your being published. Intense study or on-the-job training in specific areas, including publishing and editing, is essential experience because few colleges offer such specialized courses.