Editorial Volunteer/Intern (Slush Reader / Reader Reporter)

Title: Editorial Volunteer/Intern – Obsidian Skull Press

Location: Remote (Flexible Hours)

Time: Commitment:3–5 hours per week

Duration:6-month initial commitment (with opportunity to extend)

About Us

Obsidian Skull Press (OSP) is at the forefront of dark, speculative, and horror fiction. We are committed to uncovering fresh talent and bringing compelling narratives to readers. As an indie press, we thrive on a dedicated team passionate about the genre.

The Role

You will be an essential part of our editorial process, acting as one of the first critical eyes on incoming submissions. This role is perfect for aspiring editors looking to hone their analytical skills and gain practical experience in genre fiction evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Read and evaluate unsolicited manuscript submissions according to OSP's genre guidelines.

• Write detailed reader reports for acquired manuscripts, assessing strengths, weaknesses, and potential.

• Assist with research on emerging authors and market trends within speculative fiction/horror.

• Provide feedback on editorial notes for works-in-progress.

What’s In It For You?

• Critical reading

• Analytical writing

• Genre knowledge

• Editorial judgment

Skills Developed

• Resume Builder: Gain hands-on editorial experience behind the scenes of an active indie press. Official titles and LinkedIn recognition provided.

• Insider Access: Free digital copies of all Obsidian Skull Press releases during your tenure.

• Professional Reference: A formal letter of recommendation from the Founder/Editor-in-Chief upon successful completion of your term.

• Future Growth: First-in-line consideration for paid editorial roles as the press scales.

To Apply: OSP Opportunities Application

Editorial & Production Volunteer/Intern (Proofreader / Copyeditor Assistant)

Title: Editorial & Production Volunteer/Intern – Obsidian Skull Press

Location: Remote

Time Commitment: Project-based (Approx. 4–6 hours per week during production cycles)

Duration: Ongoing / Per-project basis

About Us

Obsidian Skull Press publishes striking, high-quality indie horror and speculative fiction. We take pride in professional presentation, and we are looking for a detail-oriented wordsmith to ensure our manuscripts and materials are polished and ready for publication.

The Role

You will work directly with accepted manuscripts and marketing collateral, acting as a vital quality control specialist. This is an ideal opportunity for those with a meticulous eye to refine their editing and proofreading skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform detailed proofreading on manuscripts and marketing materials, identifying grammatical errors, typos, and stylistic inconsistencies.

• Assist with copyediting tasks under direct supervision.

• Help maintain style guide consistency across publications.

• Learn about the formatting review process.

What’s In It For You?

• Attention to detail

• Grammar and punctuation mastery

• Style guide application

• Precision in language

Skills Developed

• Portfolio Credit: Your name may be featured in the front matter/copyright page of the books you contribute to.

• Direct Experience: Perfect for building a freelancing portfolio with concrete, high-quality credits.

• Professional Reference: Direct access to the Editor-in-Chief for letters of recommendation and portfolio verification.

• Perks: Free copies of all published titles.

To Apply: OSP Opportunities Application. Please attach a brief resume or summary of your background. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to complete a quick, 1-page editing sample.

Marketing & Social Media Volunteer/Intern

Title: Marketing & Social Media Volunteer/Intern – Obsidian Skull Press

Location: Remote (Flexible)

Time Commitment: 4–5 hours per week

Duration: 6-month initial commitment

About Us

Obsidian Skull Press is an indie publisher carving out a dark corner in the speculative fiction and horror community. We connect incredible authors with voracious readers, and we need a creative storyteller to help amplify our voice across the digital landscape.

The Role

If you love book marketing, engaging with the writing community online, and crafting compelling digital narratives, this role is for you. You will help build excitement around our upcoming launches, author spotlights, and submission windows.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and schedule engaging social media content (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok) for OSP and its authors.

• Assist in crafting promotional copy for new releases, events, and author spotlights.

• Engage with the online reader community, responding to comments and fostering interaction.

• Research and identify potential influencers, book bloggers, and promotional opportunities.

• Support Amazon KDP & Goodreads Management: Work with, learn about, and assist with tasks related to our Amazon KDP and Goodreads presence.

• Track social media engagement and basic analytics.

What’s In It For You?

• Digital marketing

• Content creation

• Copywriting

• Social media management

• Community engagement

• Basic analytics

• E-commerce platform basics

Skills Developed

• Campaign Experience: Own a piece of real-world marketing campaigns from conception to execution—perfect for marketing portfolios.

• Network Building: Connect directly with authors, reviewers, and influencers within the horror and speculative fiction community.

• Professional Reference: A strong reference letter detailing your growth metrics and campaign successes.

• Perks: Free digital copies of all releases and public credit as part of the team.

To Apply: OSP Opportunities Application. Share a link to a social media account, graphic profile, or campaign you’ve managed (personal or professional), and tell us what you think makes a book cover stand out on social media.

Visual Arts & Brand Volunteer/Intern (Assisting Cover/Site Artist)

Title: Visual Arts & Brand Volunteer/Intern – Obsidian Skull Press

Location: Remote (Flexible)

Time Commitment: 3–4 hours per week

Duration: 6-month initial commitment

About Us

Obsidian Skull Press is known for its striking visual identity, from evocative cover art to our atmospheric website. We champion a unique aesthetic and seek to collaborate with individuals who appreciate the power of visual storytelling in publishing.

The Role

This role is for the visually-minded individual who wants to understand the practical application of art and branding within a publishing house. You will assist in managing visual assets and contribute to research that informs our aesthetic direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in organizing and archiving artwork submissions and assets.

• Research visual trends and inspiration for cover art and website design.

• Learn about the process of commissioning and integrating artwork, particularly from international artists like Luis Loya.

• Potentially assist with basic website content updates (under supervision).

What’s In It For You?

• Visual asset management

• Understanding of art direction and branding

• Appreciation for international art markets

Skills Developed

• Creative Insight: Gain exposure to the art direction process for book covers and digital platforms.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Contribute to visual research and asset management that can be highlighted in a design or art portfolio.

• Professional Reference: A reference letter detailing your contributions to OSP's visual strategy.

• Perks: Free digital copies of all releases and insights into artist collaborations.

To Apply: OSP Opportunities Application. Please share a link to a visual portfolio or mood board you have created, and briefly describe your favorite visual aesthetic for dark or speculative fiction.