Editorial Assistant (Volunteer – Storytelling & Media Division)

PromisePress Editorial Assistant (Volunteer – Storytelling & Media Division)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromisePress (Publishing) + Storytelling & Media

Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

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 literacy development, mentorship, creative arts, storytelling, and academic enrichment, MAP empowers young people to build confidence, identity, and community.

PromisePress, MAP’s publishing initiative, develops original children’s books, youth-centered narratives, educational materials, poetry, and creative works that reflect the voices, cultures, and resilience of the communities we serve. PromisePress elevates stories that strengthen literacy, spark imagination, and affirm young readers.

About the Role

We are seeking a PromisePress Editorial Assistant to support the development, editing, and production of MAP’s publishing projects. This role blends editorial support, project coordination, and creative collaboration across children’s books, youth stories, blog content, and MAP’s broader storytelling initiatives.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, creative, and passionate about storytelling for children, families, and community audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with reviewing, editing, and proofreading manuscripts, stories, and youth-centered writing.
• Support children’s book writers, bloggers, and illustrators with editorial feedback, organization, and coordination.
• Help prepare manuscripts for layout, illustration, and publication through PromisePress.
• Organize drafts, editorial notes, production timelines, and communication between writers and the Storytelling & Media team.
• Support blog post editing and content preparation for MAP’s storytelling platforms, including Threads of Voices and MAP Blog.
• Conduct light research to support writers, editors, and publishing projects.
• Help maintain editorial calendars, meeting notes, drafts, and project files.
• Ensure all materials follow MAP’s values: trauma-informed, culturally responsive, youth-centered, and inclusive.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by integrating feedback and strengthening editorial processes.

Qualifications

• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to support multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Passion for children’s literature, youth storytelling, publishing, or community-based writing.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to equity, representation, and culturally responsive storytelling.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience in publishing, editorial work, or creative writing.
• Familiarity with children’s books or early literacy principles.
• Ability to support layout or book design collaboration.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred).

Commitment

• Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Hybrid: In-person in NYC and/or remote via Google Meet.

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in editing, publishing, and narrative development.
• Collaboration with children’s book writers, illustrators, editors, and MAP’s media team.
• A portfolio of editorial contributions to published children’s books and youth stories.
• Professional development in editorial practice, publishing workflow, and story development.
• Letters of recommendation and strong professional references.
• The fulfillment of helping stories come to life for young readers who need them most.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, writing/editing samples (if available), and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line: PromisePress Editorial Assistant – Mentor A Promise.

You may also apply directly here:

https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Edit with care — help shape meaningful, culturally rich, and empowering stories for children and families through PromisePress.