About Us
First Matter Press is a 501(c)3 non-profit writer collective based in Portland, Oregon. We began in 2018 by asking: What if it weren’t so difficult for first-time &/or experimental PNW writers to find a publishing home? This idea birthed a press named after prima materia, starting material for an alchemical reaction that is all around us just waiting to be harnessed. Since then our catalog has grown to 22 titles including those slated for publication in Sept. 2024. You can learn more about the poetry, hybrid and genre-expanding books we’ve published on our website.
Our fully volunteer board of editors supports fellow writers through an annual cohort that engages editors and authors in reflective, horizontal collaboration which we believe is essential to nurturing literary craft. We also foster the intersection of literature and art by selecting an annual local featured artist who collaborates with authors to create custom cover art.
FMP believes alchemizing prima materia among our peers is valuable, necessary work. We are seeking volunteers to fill roles in our growing community. Example volunteer positions include: Screening Reader, Copy Editor, Metadata Coordinator, Library and Special Interest Community Outreach Coordinator, Bookstore Community Outreach Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, Newsletter Coordinator, Historian, Grant Writing Assistant, and Book/Publicity Design Assistant. You can find descriptions of these roles below. We are also interested in connecting with volunteers who may have other skills not listed here to offer.
Volunteering with FMP may be a good fit for you if:
- You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language, a willingness to collaborate with a creative team of writers/editors, and you are friendly and community oriented.
- You’re interested in gaining experience in poetry/hybrid publishing, learning how a non-profit literary organization operates, building knowledge of tools and softwares in various areas of book production, and/or seeing first-hand how books materialize from initial submission through the editing process to release and promotion.
- You’d like to expand your network by connecting with other writers who are passionate about literary craft and community.
- You’re interested in serving as a non-profit board member or editor in the future.
- You’d like to contribute to a growing community by donating your skills and time and have a great time doing it!
While volunteers may apply from any part of the U.S., we are based in the Pacific Northwest, and any in-person events will primarily occur in Portland and Seattle.
To share your interest:
Please submit a cover letter that introduces yourself, offers a brief overview of your intentions or goals for volunteering in the literary community, and speaks to the questions below:
- What, if any, experience do you have with the literary community and/or publishing?
- Which parts of the publishing process are you most interested to learn about?
- Which volunteer role(s) interests you most?
- What skills do you already have?
- What skills are you most interested in learning?
- How much time per month do you have available to volunteer?
If you are seeking a school credit internship position, please share more about the requirements in your cover letter and we will let you know if we can meet your school’s needs.
If you have a CV or resume you’re welcome to include it with your cover letter, but it isn’t required.
Please make sure your Submittable email notifications are turned on so you don’t miss a message from us!
EXAMPLE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:
Book/Publicity Design Assistant
Volunteer Time: 5 to 15 hours a month during our peak book production phase (Mar-Aug); 2-5 hours a month (Sept-Feb)
Tasks:
- Assist the press’s designer with edits to cover and interior book files as directed
- Create print ready files
- Upload files to printer
- Assist with creation of egalleys, media kits and other promotional collateral
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Ability to work with a high attention to detail
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat
- Working knowledge of printer upload interfaces including Ingram Spark, or willing to learn
- Ability to design within a brand style guide
- Friendly and community oriented
Screening Reader
Volunteer Time: 5 to 15 hours a month (Mar-May)
Tasks:
- Read assigned submissions during our open reading period
- Assess submissions according to provided guidelines
- Uplevel appropriate submissions to editors
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Proficiency with Submittable software interface or willing to learn
- Knowledge and practice of Bias-Awareness
Copy Editor
Volunteer Time: 5 to 15 hours a month (Mar-May); 1 to 2 hours a month (Jun-Feb)
Tasks:
- Proof final book manuscripts in word doc form
- Proof final typeset book proofs
- Proof bound printed book proofs
- Proof ongoing public relations communication including newsletters, press releases and correspondence
- Maintain organization-specific style guide
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite and Microsoft Office
- Mastery of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and ability to make constructive suggestions
- Proficiency with applying the principles of style guides, such as MLA or Chicago Manual of Style, to different types of writing
- Basic knowledge of legal issues involved in publishing, such as libel and plagiarism
Metadata Coordinator
Volunteer Time: 0-3 hours a month
Tasks:
- Create master metadata documents for our book titles including appropriate and optimized keywords, key phrases, keyword rich descriptions, etc.
- Input/update metadata information in IngramSpark title listings
- Assign ISBNs via MyIdentifiers.com
- Manage Library of Congress LCCN requests
- Track efforts in database software
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite and Microsoft Office; ; working knowledge of Airtable or willing to learn
- Working knowledge of publishing interfaces including Ingram Spark, MyIdentifiers, LoC.gov, etc.
- Familiarity with keyword strategy and proficiency with Google Keyword Planner or willing to learn
Library and Special Interest Community Outreach Coordinator
Volunteer Time: 1-4 hours a month
Tasks:
- Identify public and educational libraries to build relationships with, especially focusing on the geo-areas and affiliations of our authors (hometowns, alma maters, etc.)
- Build knowledge of library events or reading opportunities
- Seek placement of our books in libraries and special interest community spaces
- Track efforts in database software
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Knowledge/interest of working processes of libraries and/or willing to learn
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite and Microsoft Office; working knowledge of Airtable or willing to learn
Bookstore Community Outreach Coordinator
Volunteer Time: 1-4 hours a month
Tasks:
- Identify bookstores to build relationships with, especially focusing on the geo-areas and affiliations of our authors (hometowns, alma maters, etc.)
- Build knowledge of bookstore events or reading opportunities
- Seek placement of our books in bookstores and special interest shops
- Track efforts in database software
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Knowledge/interest of working processes of bookstores and/or willing to learn
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite and Microsoft Office; working knowledge of Airtable or willing to learn
Social Media Coordinator
Volunteer Time: 2-6 hours a month
Tasks:
- Build social media posting calendar for 1-2 weekly posts on Facebook and Instagram
- Create Social Media graphics using Canva
- Create event listings on Facebook, Eventbrite and/or Brown Paper Tickets
- Schedule/share social posts according to calendar
- Build social media connections by following/tagging appropriate accounts
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite, Instagram and Facebook
- Skilled in Canva with ability to design within a brand style guide
- Experience social media user
Newsletter Coordinator
Volunteer Time: 3-4 hours a month
Tasks:
- Coordinate content for monthly community newsletter with Editors and Copy Editor
- Create graphics as needed using Canva
- Schedule and send newsletter to appropriate lists
- Administer mailing lists as needed
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite, Mailchimp, Canva and Weebly
- Ability to write and design within a brand style guide
Historian
Volunteer Time: 1-5 hours a month
Tasks:
- Collect photos from community members after events
- Manage the organizational photo archive
- Write blog summary posts with photo galleries after events and happenings
- Keep record of organization timeline and important-happenings list up to date
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite, Instagram, Facebook, Weebly and Canva
- Love for organization, storytelling, and memories
- Friendly and community oriented
Grant Writing Assistant
Volunteer Time: 2 to 10 hours a month
Tasks:
- Research prospective grants, fellowships and awards for the press, authors, and books
- Create/oversee timelines for grant/fellowship applications
- Contribute to grant writing and other written proposals/correspondence
- Collect organizational data helpful to grant writing
- Track efforts in database software
- Send monthly update of activities to non-profit board
Knowledge Base/Skill Sets:
- Grant writing experience or willing to learn
- Strong computer skills, especially G Suite; working knowledge of Airtable or willing to learn