Are you passionate about storytelling, digital communication, and advocating for creative professionals? Romance Writers of America® (RWA)’s Strategic Communication internship offers hands-on experience in nonprofit communication, public relations, and advocacy campaigns. This position is ideal for students interested in gaining real-world experience in strategic messaging, content creation, and community engagement within the publishing and literary industry.

Through this internship program, students will gain practical experience developing and implementing communication strategies that advance RWA’s mission to support romance writers and increase public awareness of the romance genre. Interns will work remotely for the duration of the internship with weekly virtual meetings and ongoing mentorship.

Interns Will:
● Develop strategic communication materials for member advocacy campaigns.
● Create content for RWA’s website, newsletters, and digital platforms.
● Research and write press releases about industry trends and RWA initiatives.
● Assist with social media content creation and community engagement.
● Support public awareness campaigns to promote the romance genre.
● Conduct research on publishing industry trends and literacy initiatives.
● Draft talking points and messaging frameworks for organizational leadership.
● Assist with event promotion and member communication strategies.
● Collaborate with team members to enhance RWA’s brand presence.
● Analyze communication metrics and prepare performance reports.

Qualifications and Requirements:

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Knowledge and experience with social media platforms and digital communication tools
● Strong research and analytical skills
● Self-directed independent worker with a strong work ethic who enjoys collaborative teamwork
● Currently pursuing or holding a degree in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a related field
● Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
● Interest in the publishing industry, nonprofit advocacy, or literary organizations
● Familiarity with best practices in social media
● Understanding of or interest in romance literature and publishing industry trends
● Experience with graphic design tools (Canva preferred) for content creation

Time Commitment and Location:
This internship program requires a minimum 15-hour per week commitment (120 hours total for 3-credit internship) with flexible scheduling based on academic calendar requirements. The internship is conducted remotely, and meetings will be scheduled on a weekly basis.
Additional one-on-one mentoring sessions will be scheduled as needed with the Executive Director of RWA.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this internship, students will have developed competencies in:
● Develops Strategic Communication Plans: Creates messaging frameworks that align with organizational mission and goals.
● Produces Digital Content: Creates engaging content across multiple platforms and audiences using various digital tools.
● Executes Public Relations Activities: Writes press releases, manages media relations, and communicates with stakeholders effectively.
● Implements Advocacy Communication: Crafts persuasive messaging for policy and industry advocacy campaigns.
● Applies Nonprofit Communication Strategies: Demonstrates understanding of unique communication challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit sector.
● Analyzes Industry Trends: Evaluates publishing industry developments and literary community dynamics to inform strategic decisions

This internship does not offer monetary compensation. RWA provides college credit opportunities and will work with students and their academic institutions to complete all necessary paperwork for credit requirements.

This internship offers invaluable hands-on experience in strategic communication within a nationally recognized literary organization. Interns become integral members of the RWA communication team, contributing meaningfully to campaigns that directly impact thousands of professional writers. The experience provides excellent networking opportunities within the publishing industry and the nonprofit sector.

Additional Benefits:
● Professional mentorship from experienced communication professionals and authors
● Access to RWA’s professional development resources and industry connections
● Letter of recommendation upon successful completion
● Opportunity to attend virtual RWA events and workshops
● Portfolio development with real-world campaign materials and published content

Application Instructions:
To apply, please email the following materials to admin@rwa.org with the subject line “Strategic Communication Internship Application”:
● Current resume
● Cover letter explaining your interest in strategic communication and the romance writing industry