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Join the Iron Oak Literary Team (West Trade and Iron Oak Editions): Current Available Positions
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WEST TRADE REVIEW (Literary Journal)
West Trade Review is an independent nonprofit quarterly literary journal based in Charlotte, NC, and is dedicated to supporting the literary and arts community. All West Trade Review staff are volunteers, and everyone works remotely.
We have two regular reading periods (April 1-August 1 & August 15-December 15) and sponsor a contest period (January 15-March 15) for both poetry and fiction. We publish three quarterly online editions (summer, fall, winter) and one large print edition each spring (approx. 200-225 pages).
Our mission is to perpetuate the work of artists both well known and yet-to-be-known, simultaneously enriching our world through the written word and visual arts. We strive to reflect diversity in style, content and perspective throughout prose, poetry, photography and other artwork.
Our focus is to simply present to you the best art possible by both emerging and established creative minds.
We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seek to publish underrepresented voices of all types (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, cis and trans women, gender non-conforming, agender, non-binary, genderqueer, those who are Two-Spirit, people with disabilities). Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply for any open position.
Work from West Trade Review was recently selected for inclusion in Best American Essays, Best Debut Short Stories (PEN/The Richard J. Dau Prize), Best of the Net, and Best Small Fictions.
Send a cover letter and resume to Ken Harmon at admin@ironoakeditions.com. Please place position title in email subject header.
Work for all positions is completed remotely (Submittable, Slack, Trello, and Zoom).
ASSOCIATE PROSE EDITOR
West Trade Review is seeking an Associate Prose Editor to evaluate short fiction and essays and support the Prose Editor in coordinating our editorial pipeline. This is an ideal position for an early-career editor looking to build toward greater editorial responsibility.
What We’re Looking For
Reading Sensibility: A strong familiarity with contemporary short fiction and essays, paired with the critical judgment to articulate why a piece works or doesn't.
Alignment with Our Mission: A drive for writing that asks big philosophical questions, takes genuine risks, and strikes a deep emotional truth. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential.
Dependability & Organization: Ability to maintain a steady reading load, meet deadlines, and help coordinate readers to keep pieces moving toward publication.
Collaborative Spirit: A collegial, respectful demeanor when working alongside fellow editors and engaging with differing editorial views.
Qualifications
Preferred: Prior editorial experience, an MFA in Creative Writing, or a strong publication history.
Required: Exceptional attention to detail, reliability, and an eagerness to grow as an editor.
ASSOCIATE POETRY EDITOR
We are seeking an Associate Poetry Editor to evaluate poetry submissions, support reader management, and help guide selected poems toward publication. Ideal for an early-career editor looking to grow.
Key Responsibilities
Evaluate poetry submissions with thoughtful, articulate feedback.
Maintain a steady reading load and hit editorial deadlines.
Support the Poetry Editor in coordinating readers and managing the publishing pipeline.
Qualifications & Qualities
Strong knowledge of contemporary poetry.
Alignment with our aesthetic: risk-taking, philosophical work grounded in emotional truth.
Reliable, organized, and collaborative.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Preferred: Prior editorial experience, an MFA in Creative Writing, or a publication history.
ART EDITOR (DUAL ROLE WITH JOURNAL & PRESS, IRON OAK EDITIONS)
The ideal candidate brings a strong background in visual arts—whether as an art editor, curator, gallerist, photo editor, or art director, or comparable work that demonstrates a refined eye and deep knowledge of painting, photography, and contemporary visual art. They possess the curatorial judgment to source and select work that embodies the journal's aesthetic, along with the taste to match imagery thoughtfully to literary content across covers, the annual print insert, online pieces, and promotional materials. Solid technical knowledge of image reproduction is essential, including print specifications, color management, and the differing requirements of high-quality glossy print and digital display. Candidates should be experienced in securing and documenting reproduction rights, licenses, and permissions, and diligent about crediting artists properly across every format. Equally important are the relationship-building skills to work professionally with painters, photographers, galleries, and estates, and the organizational and communication abilities to coordinate with designers and printers, meet production deadlines alongside the Managing Editor, and partner with the Social Media Manager on promotional imagery.
A degree in art history, fine arts, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience) is preferred, and above all the right person shares a genuine devotion to the journal's distinctive visual identity and understands that the artistry is not decoration but a defining part of what draws readers in.
PROSE (FICTION/CNF) AND POETRY READERS (JOURNAL ONLY)
Readers are the backbone of every literary journal as they are the first to encounter all submissions.
The ideal candidate brings a strong love of and familiarity with contemporary literature, either poetry or prose, along with the discerning eye and critical judgment to evaluate individual pieces thoughtfully. Formal editorial experience is welcome but not required; what matters most is the ability to read closely, recognize craft and originality, and articulate clear, fair reasoning about a piece's strengths and weaknesses.
Candidates must have creative writing workshop experience, whether through a university program or a private workshop setting, which grounds their ability to read critically and discuss craft in the collaborative spirit of the journal's selection process. Reliability and time management are equally essential, since readers commit to reading, commenting on, and voting on 10–15 submission packets each week within a Sunday-to-Saturday window; candidates should be confident they can sustain that steady pace.
A collegial, open temperament is important too, suited to applying the journal's standards consistently alongside fellow readers and genre editors and to engaging respectfully with differing views. A genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital, as is an instinct for the kind of work the journal champions: writing that is authentically human, carefully crafted, and unafraid of judgment. While a degree or further study in creative writing or literature is a plus, a demonstrated passion for the genre and a careful, generous reading sensibility matter just as much. Above all, the right person welcomes the chance to help discover both established and yet-to-be-known writers from the slush pile.
All work is completed remotely via Submittable and Slack. Biweekly Zoom meetings (1 hour) are required.
This is a volunteer position.
Candidates should have 5-7 hours per week to devote to responsibilities.
Book Reviewers
West Trade Review seeks insightful, articulate book lovers to join our quarterly reviews team. We are deeply committed to championing contemporary literature by independent literary presses, ensuring that vital new voices in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry receive the deep critical attention they deserve.
We view a book as a serious work of literary criticism and expect reviewers to engage deeply with the mechanics of the text rather than heavily relying on plot summary.
Our reviews are typically in the range of 1000-1200 words, and should form a clear analytical argument about the text.
To uphold our commitment to high editorial standards, writers are expected to work directly with our Reviews Editor throughout the revision process.
How it works:
Each quarter our Reviews Editor emails a list of books to the reviewers in our pool of writers. If a book captures your interest and fits your schedule, you simply reply to the email to claim it, and we will coordinate getting a copy into your hands.
Candidates should have a solid history of publication and/or an undergraduate degree in Literature or Creative Writing (graduate degree preferred).
If you're interested in joining our pool of reviewers, contact Ken Harmon at admin@ironoakeditions.com. Include a vitae or traditional resume and a writing sample, preferably literary criticism or a previously published book review.
SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEMBERS:
The ideal candidate is a strong, versatile writer with a sharp eye for detail and the ability to craft clear, engaging posts that capture an organization's voice across different platforms. They are comfortable with the major social media platforms and their differing conventions, and they are organized and dependable. They can work from a content calendar, schedule posts accurately, and meet deadlines without close oversight. Familiarity with a social media scheduling tool such as Buffer is a plus, though a candidate who is tech-comfortable and quick to learn new software will pick it up readily.
Candidates should have a collaborative temperament, taking direction well from the Social Media Manager while communicating clearly about progress and flagging anything that needs attention. A literary or artistic sensibility is valuable, since the work involves writing in a refined voice and presenting high-quality artwork and photography to good effect. Strong proofreading habits and a commitment to accuracy and brand consistency are essential. While a background in writing, communications, marketing, or a related field is helpful, demonstrated writing ability and reliability matter more than any particular credential—making this a good fit for someone early in their career or eager to grow their experience in literary social media.
Knowledge of Substack and Trello preferred, but not required. Will train.
This is a volunteer position.
Candidates should have 5 hours per week to devote to responsibilities.
Internships (unpaid, remote):
Note: This is an unpaid position supporting an all-volunteer staff.
The focus of an internship is to familiarize you with all aspects of what it means to run a literary journal or press and exist in an independent nonprofit literary environment.
This includes assisting editors with projects as needed and learning about the reading/editorial process, social media engagement, how a journal supports its writers, building webpages, designing newsletters, editing audio and video files, data analytics, etc.
All work is completed remotely and will require 10-15 hours a week of your time. Internships are available each fall, spring, and summer. Send resume and cover letter outlining the requirements of your internship and your interests in literature, creative writing, publishing, and/or the skills you'd like to develop during your time with us to Ken Harmon at admin@ironoakeditions.com. Place "Possible Internship" in the subject line. Any questions may be directed to this email address as well.
IRON OAK EDITIONS (PRESS)
Iron Oak Editions is is an independent nonprofit literary press based in Charlotte, NC, and is dedicated to supporting the literary and arts community. All Iron Oak Editions staff are volunteers, and everyone works remotely.
The publisher and book editors at Iron Oak Editions first came together as a team with their work on West Trade Review, and after successfully growing and building their journal audience decided that the next logical step was to continue that growth together as a press.
Our mission is to perpetuate the work of artists both well known and yet-to-be-known, simultaneously enriching our world through the written word. We strive to reflect diversity in style, content and perspective throughout poetry and prose.
We are an independent nonprofit literary publisher whose goal is to simply present to you the best literature possible by both emerging and established creative minds.
We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seek to publish underrepresented voices of all types (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, cis and trans women, gender non-conforming, agender, non-binary, genderqueer, those who are two-spirit, people with disabilities). Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply for any open position.
For all Iron Oak Editions positions, send a cover letter and resume to Ken Harmon at admin@ironoakeditions.com. Please place position title in email subject header.
PROSE EDITOR
The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of contemporary prose and a discerning eye honed through experience as an editor, writer, teacher, or comparable work in the literary field. They have editorial experience that ideally includes developmental work on full-length manuscripts as well as the judgment to shape a work's structure, pacing, and narrative arc while honoring the author's voice and willingness to take artistic risks. Strong line-editing skills and a sensitivity to the craft of prose are essential, as is the ability to offer feedback that is both honest and generous.
Because the press's editors work as a collaborative team under the supervision of the Publisher, candidates should have a collegial, open temperament and should be comfortable advocating for work they believe in and should possess the deep listening skills required to reach shared decisions.
A genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital, along with an instinct for the kind of work the press champions: prose that is authentically human, carefully crafted, and unafraid of judgment. Familiarity with the publishing process and the ability to recognize a manuscript's promise from a query and sample excerpt are valuable, as is comfort working entirely from unagented submissions.
An MFA in creative writing or equivalent experience and/or a solid publication history is preferred. Above all, the right person shares Iron Oak's belief in perpetuating the work of writers both established and yet-to-be-known, and in enriching the world through carefully chosen, fearlessly honest writing.
Candidates should have 5-10 hours per week to devote to responsibilities.
POETRY EDITOR
The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of contemporary poetry and a discerning eye honed through experience as an editor, writer, teacher, or comparable work in the literary field. They have editorial experience—ideally including developmental work on full-length collections—and the judgment to shape a manuscript's arc and sequencing while honoring the poet's voice and willingness to take artistic risks. Strong line-editing skills and a sensitivity to the craft of poetry on the page are essential, as is the ability to offer feedback that is both honest and generous. Because the press's editors work as a collaborative team alongside the publisher, candidates should have a collegial, open temperament and should feel comfortable advocating for work they believe in, listening to other perspectives, and reaching shared decisions. A genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital, along with an instinct for the kind of work the press champions: poetry that is authentically human, carefully crafted, and unafraid of judgment.
Familiarity with the publishing process and the realities of reading from an unagented slush pile is valuable, and an MFA in creative writing or equivalent experience is preferred as well as a solid publication history. Above all, the right person shares Iron Oak's belief in perpetuating the work of poets both established and yet-to-be-known, and in enriching the world through carefully chosen, fearlessly honest writing.
Candidates should have 5-10 hours per week to devote to responsibilities.
GRANT WRITER (INTERN)
Iron Oak Literary, the nonprofit home of the journal West Trade Review and the book press Iron Oak Editions, is seeking a volunteer or intern Grant Writer to help secure the funding that sustains our mission: perpetuating the work of writers both established and yet-to-be-known and championing diverse, underrepresented voices. Working closely with the Executive Director, you’ll research funding opportunities and help craft the proposals that keep independent literary publishing alive. This is a meaningful, hands-on role for someone who loves literature and wants real experience in nonprofit fundraising and grant writing, whether you’re a student seeking academic credit, an emerging writer or arts administrator building a portfolio, or simply someone who wants to give back to the literary community.
What We’re Looking For:
-Strong, clear writing skills and a careful eye for detail
-Good research skills and the organization to track deadlines and follow through
-An interest in literature, publishing, the arts, or nonprofit work
-Reliability and the ability to work independently with light supervision
-No prior grant-writing experience required—curiosity and a willingness to learn matter most
-A genuine connection to Iron Oak’s mission and its commitment to diverse, underrepresented voices
Details
Time commitment: flexible and part-time, roughly 5-10 hours per week
Location: remote-friendly, with occasional virtual check-ins with the Executive Director
Term: a single semester with the possibility of renewal
Compensation: this is an unpaid volunteer/internship role; academic credit is available where your program allows
Reports to: the Executive Director
PROSE (FICTION/CNF) AND POETRY READERS (PRESS ONLY)
The ideal candidate brings a strong love of and familiarity with contemporary poetry or prose, along with the discerning eye and critical judgment to evaluate full-length manuscripts (poetry) or author queries (prose) thoughtfully. Formal editorial experience is welcome but not required; what matters most is the ability to read closely, recognize craft and originality, and articulate clear, fair reasoning about a manuscript or query's strengths and weaknesses. Candidates must have creative writing workshop experience, whether through a university program or a private workshop setting, which grounds their ability to read critically and discuss craft in the give-and-take spirit of the press's editorial process. Candidates should also be reliable and well-organized, able to manage a steady reading load and meet response deadlines, and they should have a collegial, open temperament suited to voting alongside editors, offering written commentary, and contributing to editorial discussions with respect for differing viewpoints.
A genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential, as is an instinct for the kind of work the press champions: poetry and prose that is authentically human, carefully crafted, and unafraid of judgment. While a degree or further study in creative writing or literature is a plus, a demonstrated passion for poetry and a careful, generous reading sensibility matter just as much. Above all, the right person shares Iron Oak's belief in perpetuating the work of poets both established and yet-to-be-known, and welcomes the chance to help discover them from the slush pile.
All work is completed remotely via Submittable and Slack. Biweekly Zoom meetings (1 hour) are required.
Candidates should have 5-7 hours per week to devote to responsibilities.
This is a volunteer position.
SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEMBERS
The ideal candidate for the Iron Oak social media team is a strong, versatile writer with a sharp eye for detail and the ability to craft clear, engaging posts that capture an organization's voice across different platforms. They are comfortable with the major social media platforms and their differing conventions, and they are organized and dependable. They can work from a content calendar, schedule posts accurately, and meet deadlines without close oversight. Familiarity with a social media scheduling tool such as Buffer is a plus, though a candidate who is tech-comfortable and quick to learn new software will pick it up readily.
Candidates should have a collaborative temperament, taking direction well from the Social Media Manager while communicating clearly about progress and flagging anything that needs attention. A literary or artistic sensibility is valuable, since the work involves writing in a refined voice and presenting high-quality artwork and photography to good effect. Strong proofreading habits and a commitment to accuracy and brand consistency are essential. While a background in writing, communications, marketing, or a related field is helpful, demonstrated writing ability and reliability matter more than any particular credential—making this a good fit for someone early in their career or eager to grow their experience in literary social media.
Knowledge of Substack and Trello preferred, but not required. Will train.
This is a volunteer position.
Candidates should have 5 hours per week to devote to responsibilities.
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