Graduate Book Review Fellows gain a wide range of experience in the publishing business by learning the qualities of a good book review, the intricacies of professional editing, and the process of taking a publication from submission to layout and then to finished product. This is an opportunity to get hands-on experience with journal publication and gain familiarity with the latest works of criticism in the field of western American literature. Previous fellows have gone on to successful Ph.D. programs and to other jobs in publishing.

Fellows write book reviews in their own subfields of interest and educational background—whether in criticism, fiction, poetry, cultural studies, etc. Acceptable reviews are printed in Western American Literature.

The graduate Book Review Fellow registers for 3 internship credits in the fall semester and is expected to work a set schedule of 8-10 hours a week for the term. During the spring semester the fellow will receive a course release. The duties will remain primarily the same, but the fellow will work more independently. Some hours will be expected during the summer months, but these are hours banked during the spring semester.

The weekly hours will generally be spent keeping track of books as they are received from publishers and as they are sent out to reviewers, contacting possible reviewers, database management, securing permissions for illustrations used in the journal, browsing catalogues to identify books to order for review, copyediting of reviews, and assisting with mailing the issue.

A major aspect of the Fellowship is the invaluable experience of working with academics in the field of literature and cultural studies and being a part of a scholarly journal publication.

The MECF Book Review Fellow must be enrolled in the master’s program in American Studies or Literature and Writing at Utah State University. Good writing and editing skills, some computer skills, and a general understanding of American literature are required. If you are interested in knowing more about the fellowship, please contact Sabine Barcatta, the managing editor, at wal@westernlit.org.

This fellowship is generously funded by the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation in conjunction with USU’s English Department and the Western Literature Association.