ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST RECRUITMENT DRIVE OF THE YEAR
Deadline: February 3, 2025
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite journal? Here’s a secret: Asymptote is powered by volunteers—fans who love our journal and want to play a part in its creation. As contributing editor and former President of ALTA Ellen Elias-Bursac once remarked, “Asymptote probably seemed improbable at its inception. But the combined efforts of editor-in-chief Lee Yew Leong, the staff working in nearly every time zone, and the writers and translators who embraced the journal’s mission have treated all of us to an extraordinary rollercoaster ride of literature in translation.” For our first recruitment drive of the year, we’re looking for new staff members to fill a whole range of positions from Nonfiction Editor to Marketing Manager (scroll down for the full list of openings). In additional to helping our staff members connect with world literature professionals from around the world, Asymptote also provides the perfect training ground for those looking for a foothold in a career in world literature. Former staff have gone on to take up positions at The Wylie Agency, David Godine, Penguin Books, Dalkey Archive, and Words Without Borders.
“I was drawn to Asymptote by its mission, which is powerful in the manner of a great scientific theory or math proof: startlingly simple yet wide-reaching—and quintessentially of our time. Facilitating conversations between cultures not only creates a more vital literature but also affirms a belief in shared humanity and value. That is, I'm a fan of the magazine not only because it presents great writing, but also because its existence innately promotes efficacy and justice, outside the confines of any one political discourse. There's no greater calling for the arts.”
—Dolan Morgan, former Assistant Managing Editor
Editorial / Art
Nonfiction Editor
If you have at least one year of editorial and solicitation experience under your belt and a passion for creative nonfiction in the context of world literature, we are looking for a new Section Editor to take over the curation of literary nonfiction in our issues starting from the Summer 2025 edition. The successful applicant will not only have a bold vision of the possibilities of this genre, but will also work with our multicontinental team to assemble lineups as diverse as they are rigorous. Please include samples of your own writing (preferably creative nonfiction, translated or otherwise) with your application.
Editor-at-Large
Last quarter, we added editors-at-large for India, Sweden, and the US. We'd like to expand our network to ensure a constant stream of quality content from other underrepresented languages and regions. We welcome applicants from other parts of the world, especially but not limited to: Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. Editors-at-large not only help to seek out the best work from their regions, but also collaborate closely with our editors to provide coverage of their local scenes. If you consider yourself connected to and knowledgeable about your local literary scene, we want to hear from you!
Copy Editor
We seek meticulous, conscientious Copy Editors to get involved in the production of our massive quarterly issues. Candidates must have experience working with a style guide, have some copy editing experience under their belt, and be able to adhere to editorial schedules.
Guest Artist
Talented illustrators (including photographers) are encouraged to try for our guest artist positions by submitting a cover letter and providing a URL to a portfolio website. Rolling deadline.
Marketing, Communications, and Social Media
Marketing Manager
Our Marketing Manager should be someone familiar with the language of advertising and specifically with email and social media campaigns. In addition to planning publicity campaigns around our issues as well as our various initiatives, the Marketing Manager might also work with the Book Club team or the Educational Arm to strategize outreach. If you are passionate about world literature and consider yourself a creative person with experience in marketing, we’d love to hear from you.
Social Media Manager (English)
Social Media Managers are responsible for Asymptote’s online presence—not just in terms of promoting the journal’s content but transforming our social media platforms into hubs for news and discussion about world literature. Applicants should be versatile, savvy with digital content, and possess impeccable copy skills. We are especially interested in candidates with graphic design skills (as well as access to the relevant software, especially Photoshop), although this is not a must.
Social Media Manager (French or Spanish)
Same as above, but in French or Spanish. If you have relevant social media experience and native French ability, and are willing to help us to develop our Asymptote en français page.
Design and Multimedia
Graphic Designer
Crucial to maintaining our aesthetically particular brand image, good Graphic Designers are always in high demand at Asymptote! Team members in this role cover the graphic design needs of our many platforms (ranging from print to online, to even ebook design). Please submit a portfolio along with your application.
Video Producer
We are looking for a Video Producer to help us generate more video content, including but not restricted to publicity material for our issues, such as these trailers for our Winter 2014 and Fall 2015 editions. Along with other publicity material that might also be commissioned, these videos will be shared on our social media platforms. Candidates should have strong video production skills. Please submit a portfolio along with your application.
Sustainability
Business Developer
We are looking for a second Business Developer to work with our Business Development and Sustainability team to brainstorm, pitch, and implement initiatives focused on bringing in revenue for Asymptote and ensuring the journal’s financial survival. This could involve revamping current Asymptote initiatives, or building out new initiatives from scratch. The ideal candidate is someone who is creative, strategic, and data-driven, with a strong commercial sense and fresh ideas for revenue generation. Interpersonal and communication skills, as well as an understanding of shifting organization structures are a must. Flexibility and ability to work within a team are extremely important. Project management skills are a big plus, as well as having a strong sense of ownership over initiatives and projects.
Fundraiser
If you have experience with fundraising and would like to put it in the service of world literature, we'd love to speak with you!
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All Asymptote staff work from home—pitching in anywhere from four to eight hours a week—and communicate via email and Skype or Google Hangout; upon admission into the team, they are encouraged to pitch in secondarily to our various platforms if they are so inclined.
To apply for any of these unpaid positions, please send a cover letter (as a Word doc or in the body of the email please!) explaining why you’d like to join our team and a copy of your CV to editors@asymptotejournal.com, with "APPLICATION:" and the position(s) you’re applying for in the subject line. Take note that most positions will start out with a 3-month orientation (requiring a commitment of eight hours a week) during which you will get to know the journal and your fellow team members. After this orientation period, we will evaluate your performance and determine your future role with Asymptote. (Hours will come down to four to eight hours a week, depending on which permanent role you’ve taken with us—some project-based positions may not even require a weekly commitment.)
If you want to be part of the movement to usher in a more inclusive world literature, send in an application today!
And if you're not able to volunteer your time, there are other ways to support our mission: Consider, for example, joining us as a sustaining member from as little as USD5 a month.
Note: As a rule, we usually get back to our applicants with an outcome within a month but sometimes it may take up to three months to determine the right candidate for our openings. Thank you for your patience!