Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are integral to UDP’s history, mission, and continued existence. Our open-house volunteer days (a long-standing tradition we call “Presse Day”) most often occur on Saturdays, and sometimes on weekday evenings. On these days volunteers help us with a variety of tasks, from binding chapbooks, assembling editions, packaging subscriptions, printing posters and tote bags, organizing our small press library, sorting metal type in the print shop, and so on. There is never any prior experience or knowledge necessary.

You can sign up to receive notice of Presse Days and other opportunities by joining the Volunteers Mailing List. You will be sent notification of such opportunities about once a month. Volunteers occasionally help out at events and book fairs as well, or get involved in more long-term projects when such arise and the time is right.

Before contacting us, we recommend that anyone wishing to volunteer with UDP join the volunteer mailing list and come out for a day to get a sense of our working environment.

Internship Opportunities

Internships at UDP are designed to introduce interns to all aspects of a small press. We are not accepting Internship applications at this time.

The internship is 12 hours/week, with a stipend of $19/hour, and takes place from May 6, 2024, to August 31st, 2024. Most hours are spent on-site at the UDP studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Please click here for more information on how to apply.

Apprenticeship Program

Applications for the 2024-2025 Apprenticeship program will be open from August 26 to 31, 2024.

UDP’s Apprenticeship Program provides a part-time, fair-pay, work-learning opportunity to aspiring artists and literary professionals interested in hands-on training in all aspects of running a small press. During their yearlong appointment in our Brooklyn-based studio, apprentices play an essential role in the day-to-day operations of the Presse while working closely with the UDP editorial collective to shepherd titles through the editorial, production, and publicity processes. Please sign up for our mailing list to learn about future openings and hear about the next Apprenticeship open call. It’s advisable, if at all possible, to sign up for the volunteer list (see above) and attend at least one volunteer Presse Day before applying for the Apprenticeship, so as to gain a feeling for the working environment of UDP.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume as a single pdf file to office@uglyducklingpresse.org. Applications received outside of the application window (August 26-31) will not be considered.

A more extensive description of the UDP Apprenticeship Program is available here.

Distribution and Outreach Coordinator

UDP is seeking a part-time Distribution and Outreach Coordinator. Click here to learn more about this position.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two references in a single PDF to Marine Cornuet and Camila Valle at office@uglyducklingpresse.org between June 5 and 12, 2024.
Applications received before or after these dates will be automatically discarded. Thank you!