Slope Editions, an independent poetry press based in the Pioneer Valley, is currently looking for a new Special Projects Editor!
About Slope
Founded in 2001 by Chris Janke and Ethan Paquin, Slope was one of the very first independent presses/online journals in the country— we’ve since transitioned to only publishing books and chapbooks. Our most recent titles include this shouldn’t be beautiful but it was & it was all I had so i drew it by Keegan Lester (chosen by Mary Ruefle) and Speech Rinse by Vanessa Couto Johnson. You can take a look at our website to see more of what we’ve done in the past: www.slopeeditions.org
Slope Editions is a micro-press. We publish, as volunteers, between one and four titles a year, mostly funded through our contests. As a tiny operation, our positions take the shape of the people involved. We have no office, and we hold weekly meetings during which editors check-in with the progress on their various independently-run projects, and we look forward to the individual and sometimes idiosyncratic contributions that individual editors make.
About the Job
This newly-created position will be even more in flux than other Slope jobs. While also participating in the editorial process of selecting finalists for our annual chapbook contest and book prize and releasing a new full-length in the fall, the Special Projects Editor will work on developing new creative projects in collaboration with the Managing and Assistant Managing Editors. The Special Projects editor will have wide discretion to propose and implement new publishing projects, including projects of their own creation. Two projects that the Special Projects Editor will be asked to investigate are: a political pamphlet series in response to the current political climate, and a resurrection of slope dot org, our currently dormant online journal. We are also open to planning Slope events or readings, managing reading tours for our writers, developing grant-based programs, and more.
The ideal candidate must be adept at taking the reins and working independently, as well as collaborating over long distances. Because we are a tiny organization, anyone in this position will be considered, should they desire, for other roles: Assistant Managing Editor, Managing Editor, etc, when those positions are open. Because each editor operates quite independently, we rely on and strongly emphasize skills of that allow for self-management and an ability to follow-through, to identify and complete tasks in a timely manner.
The Special Projects Editor should feel comfortable working remotely while also participating in a weekly phone or skype meeting to discuss different projects and creative directions.
Please indicate if you have any past experience working in an editorial position with a magazine or press. Grant-writing experience or experience working for a non-profit is a plus.
Compensation
Every job at Slope Edition is a volunteer position. While we expect regular attention to current tasks, the hours per week can vary widely, and each editor has control over their own hours. We expect this to be a very part-time position. In addition, Slope Editions is happy to work with existing internship programs with universities to provide oversight, reporting, and grades when necessary for academic credit. In addition, Slope will provide letters of recommendation to future job prospects. We consider ourselves to be participants in a large literary community which is more-often-than-not financially undercompensated. We are not blind to the ways in which free labor can be exploitative, and we strive to work with our volunteers that their own needs are met along with the needs of our organization. In the 15+-year history of Slope Editions, editors have often found that the skills built during one’s time at Slope Editions can lead to important entries on a CV or resume. We also find a reward in helping to shape the literary landscape, something that every staff member at Slope has an opportunity to engage in through our editorial meetings, manuscript screenings, and reading periods.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to our Managing Editor, Emily Hunerwadel, at slope.editions@gmail.com by February 15th. We will begin holding interviews with prospective candidates in late January/February 2018.
Thanks,
Slope Editions