Literary Publishing Internship

The Missouri Review is a leader in training students in both print and digital publishing through our long-standing immersive internship. Our interns have a major part in producing one of the top 10 literary magazines in the U.S. and play a real role in shaping American literature. The Missouri Review helps interns become better writers, better editors, and master learners in the most powerful, flexible form of learning.

Acquire skills employers seek:

• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving prowess

Literary work is a precision tool for building skills in storytelling, analysis, and critical thinking.

As a Missouri Review publishing intern, you can . . .

• Hone advanced comprehension, analysis, strategy, and communication skills, reaching audiences through realistic language, story, and clarity of expression
• Develop a deep, critical understanding of writing by reading and evaluating hundreds submissions by writers from around the world
• Make collaborative editorial decisions and correspond with real authors
• Learn copyediting, layout, and/or web-editing skills by working with real manuscripts
• Write introductions and conduct author interviews for publication
• Create content for our official social media channels, newsletter, advertising, website, and more
• Learn magazine distribution and business practices and be an integral part of publishing operations
• Adapt with evolving resource and gain insight into the contemporary publishing landscape

Internship Structure

The Missouri Review editors encourage both individual initiative and teamwork, while offering access to valuable resources culled from our five decades of publishing experience.

Interns are expected to meet during regular class hours and to be present in-office (or online for remote students) for 1–3 hours per week in addition to class time.

Each student will read at least 20 creative writing submissions per week and pitch manuscripts in weekly genre meetings.

• ENGL 4950/7950 Section 04 Internship in Publishing: The Missouri Review (1–3 credit hours), meets Tuesdays 3–5 p.m. in Summer 2026 and is taught by Marc McKee.
• ENGL 4950/7950 Section 02 Internship in Publishing: The Missouri Review (1–3 credit hours), meets Tuesdays/Thursdays 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. in Fall 2026 and is taught by Speer Morgan.

Internship Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for this internship course (ENGL 4950/7950).

Students in any field of study are encouraged to apply.

To register for the internship course, you must be actively enrolled at Mizzou, whether through cross-campus enrollment or as a visiting student.

This internship course may be repeated for credit. A permission code is required for registration.

Former Interns — TMR Alumni

Many Missouri Review interns go on to careers in commercial, mass media, and literary publishing. Others are employed as teachers or professors, and others still in a broad range of educational and creative industries. Former interns have published numerous books and contributed to most of the top literary magazines in the United States.

Hear from two recent TMR alumni in this feature by COMO Magazine from March 2026.

Ready to learn more?

Please fill out The Missouri Review internship interest form. If you meet our qualifications and we have space in the upcoming course, you will be contacted by a member of the editorial staff.