As a result of upcoming changes within our organization, we are unable to accept new Literary Apprentices at this time. Be on the lookout for exciting updates to come!

Is This You?

  • Age 14-19, Grades 9-12, or Taking a Gap Year before College

  • Bookworm, Avid Reader

  • Open-minded, Willingness to Learn

  • Respectful of All People

  • Interested in Amplifying Youth Voices - Particularly Youth Living in Poverty

  • Committed to BreakBread’s Vision of Inclusion and Social Justice through Art and Writing

Consider Becoming a Literary Apprentice!

Roles and Inclusion

As a Literary Apprentice, you are an integral part of the BreakBread team and work closely with each step of BreakBread Magazine’s production timeline. Roles include:

  • Read and select work for publication

  • Participate in team meetings

  • Attend genre and production meetings

  • Identify new talent and recruit submissions

  • Compose personalized rejection letters and offer feedback on submissions

Apprenticeship Benefits

  • Hands-On Experience: Gain hands-on knowledge in magazine publishing to prepare you for success in college, entrepreneurship, and the workforce. 

  • Develop Your Voice as a Writer: Literary Apprentices participate in Peer Feedback Workshop that cultivates their own writing projects.

  • Supportive Staff: LAs work in small groups with our editorial staff, all of whom are published/working writers. While our time together will be structured and productive, it is not one of rigid hierarchy; LAs co-create the magazine right alongside their mentors. All voices are valuable on our team. 

  • Meet and Greet Visiting Writers: LAs have the opportunity to speak with visiting writings and talk with them about their work through various BreakBread events. 

  • Join a Community of Professional Writers: Apprentices receive regular check-ins with a group of peers and mentors with a shared passion who are working towards a common artistic goal. 

  • Earn School Credit (if eligible): Our program is Common Core aligned and may be eligible for independent study credit, depending on your school. 

  • Earn References for Work and College: BreakBread staff help Literary Apprentices with applications for college, internships, and jobs. At the end of their term, Literary Apprentices will receive a letter certified by our leadership team, narrating all of the duties performed and commending them for their service. We want to see you succeed and will help you find the path to do so!

Time Commitment

  • Typically LAs will be required to commit 4 hours a week to BreakBread: 3 for reading submissions, 1 hour for meetings, and an extra 1 to 2 hours for the two weeks during bi-annual production.

Technology

Our meetings are held over video conferencing so all staff can join over several timezones. For this reason, computer, internet, and webcam access are necessary.

However, if you need help with internet or technology access, let us know. Please do not let this deter you from applying; we will help you figure it out!

BreakBread Literary Magazine could not achieve its mission to amplify the voices of young creatives without young creatives’ input in the work we do. Literary Apprentices (LAs) will work alongside the magazine’s editorial staff to produce each issue.
LAs will also have the opportunity to participate in generative workshops with visiting artists and staff-lead peer workshops to develop their own skills as burgeoning young writers.

FAQs

  • A: BreakBread's Literary Apprentice applications open twice a year via Submittable, typically in December and May. At that time, you will see an application link on this page and on our Submittable page. If you do not see a link during the appropriate month, please email help@breakbreadproject.org for assistance.

  • A: Zero dollars! All BreakBread programs are free of charge for young creatives: no application fees, submission fees, or fees of any sort! BreakBread is dedicated to making these writing and professionalization opportunities accessible to youth regardless of financial and/or geographical access to creative writing classes/camps/programs.

  • A: YES! Our top priority is not so much experience as it is a passion for the written word and a willingness to learn. We will teach you everything you need to know to get started!

  • A: If you do not have a reliable computer, we will work with you to locate community resources at your school and/or public library to get you connected.

  • A: You can reach out to anyone on the leadership team at BreakBread Literacy Project especially: David Hall (Editor-in-Chief), Crystal Salas (Poetry Editor), Lorena Pimental (Managing Editor) or Jamie Benner (Operations Manager). We’ll be happy to set up a phone or videocall with your parents/guardians and are happy to answer any questions they may have about our program.

  • A: There are two ways. If you attend a public or private school, you’ll need to contact a teacher who is willing to assist you in setting up an independent study for credit. English teachers, school librarians, deans and assistant principals can be helpful in this regard! If you are a homeschool student, your parent/guardian can set up the independent study in accordance with state and local guidelines for credit-bearing coursework.