Narrative Editor / Developmental Editor (Volunteer)

Narrative Editor / Developmental Editor (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Storytelling & Media / PromisePress

Location: Remote via Google Meet and/or New York City (as needed)

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and storytelling, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people are seen, respected, and valued.

MAP’s publishing and storytelling work under PromisePress focuses on stories that reflect empathy, resilience, identity, and imagination—told with care, cultural responsiveness, and integrity.

Purpose of the Role

The Narrative Editor / Developmental Editor plays a critical role in elevating the quality, clarity, and emotional integrity of MAP’s stories. This role focuses on strengthening structure, pacing, and resonance—without rewriting an author’s voice or taking ownership away from writers.

This editor helps stories become their best versions while ensuring language remains trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate for children and youth.

This role dramatically improves quality through thoughtful guidance, not heavy-handed rewriting.

Key Responsibilities

• Review story drafts for narrative structure, pacing, clarity, and emotional resonance.
• Provide developmental feedback that strengthens story arcs, character development, and flow.
• Ensure trauma-informed language and culturally responsive storytelling practices.
• Identify areas where tone, content, or framing may need sensitivity adjustments.
• Work collaboratively with writers to guide revisions while preserving author voice.
• Support alignment with age-band expectations and literacy goals (when applicable).
• Participate in editorial check-ins or story reviews as needed.
• Maintain clear, respectful written feedback and revision notes.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by refining editorial guidance and incorporating feedback.

Qualifications

• Experience in developmental editing, narrative editing, publishing, education, or literary coaching.
• Strong understanding of story structure, pacing, and character development.
• Ability to give clear, constructive, and compassionate feedback.
• Sensitivity to trauma-informed language and culturally responsive storytelling.
• Comfort working collaboratively with writers across different age bands.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.
• Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and mission-driven storytelling.

Bonus (Not Required)

• Experience editing children’s or youth literature
• Familiarity with SEL, literacy development, or education-based storytelling
• Publishing or editorial background
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)

Commitment

• Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Remote collaboration via Google Meet, with optional NYC-based participation
• MAP prioritizes consistency, care, and respect for creative labor

What You’ll Gain

• Meaningful editorial experience with real community impact
• Portfolio-ready developmental editing work
• Collaboration with writers, educators, and creative teams
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to help shape stories that honor dignity, identity, and hope

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org

Edit with care — help stories become clearer, stronger, and more humane without losing the voices that make them matter.