Apply for an Internship

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Literary Programming Internship is ideal for pursuing a career in publishing or literature. Literary Programming interns are offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to program and execute a large-scale literary event, which includes learning the interworking of the publishing industry and interfacing directly with publishers, authors and publicity/marketing teams.

Literary Programming interns work directly with the Festival’s Literary Director to coordinate the Festival Weekend’s robust author programming for children, teens, and adults. The Festival hosts 250–300 authors in approximately 150 sessions over the course of the two-day Festival, which is attended by 40,000–50,000 guests. Literary Programming interns assist with many important tasks that ensure vital information is organized, tracked and disseminated accurately and in a timely manner. Interns are also key on-the-ground contributors to the smooth and successful execution of the Festival Weekend.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administrative support as needed

• Support Literary Director and Operations & Literary Coordinator in Festival planning

• Track Festival submissions and assist with evaluation efforts

• Help prepare key data for author selection committee meetings

• Draft panel descriptions

• Conduct research on literary topics relevant to the Festival

• Update author information and/or session information on the TBF website and internal spreadsheets

• Participate in key lead-up events to the Festival and provide on-the-ground support throughout Festival Weekend

• Ensure that all Festival author and programming data remains organized and accurate

EXPECTATIONS:

• Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment
• Embrace the all-in attitude required to make the annual Festival a success. This includes a commitment to full-day engagement each day of the Festival Weekend (November 8–9, 2025)
• Internship includes participating in occasional after-hours literary events, including event setup, registration, and clean-up

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Self-motivated; ability to work quickly and efficiently to meet strict deadlines

• An interest in literature and the book industry

• Well-organized and adept at managing fine-grain details

• Strong writing and copy-editing skills

• Tech-savvy

• Personable and outgoing; not afraid to pick up the phone and call someone or interact with VIPs in-person/virtually

• A creative problem-solver

• An all-in attitude, ready to jump in and do whatever is needed

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants may send an email with cover letter and resume as attachments to Anna Dolliver, Operations & Literary Coordinator: [email protected]. Please use the subject line “Literary Programming Internship Application” and indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in the summer internship, the fall internship, or both. The application deadline is March 31.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Development Intern will work directly with the Chief Impact Officer and Development Manager of Communications and Engagement to assist with duties ranging from event planning, communication, coordinating sponsor benefits, updating information in the donor database, researching grant opportunities, and writing grant reports and newsletters.

This internship will prepare the intern for a variety of work positions with a wide scope of practical and applicable skills. These skills can be used in a variety of industries, including event planning, non-profit, fundraising, and corporate responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Read and edit grant applications
• Create invitations and other development collateral in Canva
• Help the Chief Impact Officer prepare correspondence with donors
• Update information in the donor database
• Administrative support as needed
• Write newsletters for donors
• Assist with planning the First Edition Literary Gala
• Provide Gala and event execution support

EXPECTATIONS:

• Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment
• Embrace the all-in attitude required to make the annual Festival and Gala a success. This includes a commitment to full-day engagement each day of the Festival Weekend (November 8-9, 2025) as well as Gala set-up, event support, and take-down (Friday, November 7 12pm-11pm)
• Internship includes participating in occasional after-hours literary events, including event setup, registration, and clean-up

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Well-organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Experienced with Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Canva
• Interested in the inner workings of a non-profit organization

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants may send an email with cover letter and resume as attachments to Susannah Auby, Chief Impact Officer: [email protected]. Please use the subject line “Development Internship Application” and indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in the summer internship, the fall internship, or both. The application deadline is March 31.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Texas Book Festival is looking for an intern to help with event production efforts for the summer and fall of 2025. This internship is ideal for those interested in careers in books, event planning, volunteer management, or general logistics and nonprofit-related fields.

This intern will help TBF’s Event Production & Logistics Manager with coordinating volunteer events, organizing logistics and supplies for Festival authors, volunteers, and event spaces, communicating with Volunteer Committee Chairs and exhibitors, and assisting with event production needs before and during the Festival weekend.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES (PRE-FESTIVAL):

• Assist with inventory of Festival materials including:
  • Signs
  • Banners
  • VCC Supply Bags
  • Vintage Merchandise
  • Archival Information
• Help research venues for Lit Crawl and assist with organizing event schedule, supplies, and other logistical needs
• Help with VCC communications and document updating for VCC meetings
• Assist with exhibitor communications and tracking
• Work with Event Manager on offsite venue communications to coordinate AV, staff, and set up needs
• Administrative support as needed

FALL INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES (PRE-FESTIVAL:

• Help print materials for monthly VCC (Volunteer Chair Committee) meetings, including attending and taking notes
• Organize supply bags for VCCs, including emergency packets
• Create VCC badge slips and author badge slips
• Help with storage runs and storage organization
• Assist with exhibitor communications and tracking
• Create and organize author and moderator placards by location
• Organize author greenroom session cards by name
• Help create author greenroom volunteer assignment cards
• Help with exhibitor communications
• Help set up church locations and drop-offs of materials during Friday pre-fest
• Set up Author Greenroom
• Work with Event Production and Logistics Manager on double checking all materials in preparation for Festival Weekend
• Administrative support as needed

RESPONSIBILITIES (DURING FESTIVAL WEEKEND):

• Become a roving VCC, who helps out during the Festival weekend if VCCs want to attend certain sessions
• Help with special event logistics (Author Parties, Lit Crawl, Author Breakfast) and greenroom hospitality
• Assist with venue set up and tear down, book transportation, and VCC needs

EXPECTATIONS:

• Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment

• Embrace the all-in attitude required to make the annual Festival a success. This includes a commitment to full-day engagement each day of the Festival Weekend (November 8–9, 2025)

• Internship includes participating in occasional after-hours literary events, including event setup, registration, and clean-up

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Event/production oriented

• Well-organized and detail-oriented

• Needs to be on-site during the Texas Book Festival weekend

• Can carry 25+ lbs unassisted

• Good people skills, especially under high-pressure and time-sensitive conditions

• An all-in attitude, ready to jump in and do whatever is needed

• Self-motivated; ability to work quickly and efficiently

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants may send an email with resume and cover letter as attachments to Olivia Hesse, Event Production and Logistics Manager: [email protected]. Please use the subject line “Event Production Internship Application” and indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in the summer internship, the fall internship, or both. The application deadline is March 31.