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 Volunteer 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.

Apprenticeship Program

Applications for the 2025–26 Apprenticeship Program will be open from August 1–10, 2025. Applications received outside of the application window will not be considered.

About the Apprenticeship

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 nine months 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 Collective to shepherd titles through the publication processes. If you can, we recommend signing up for the volunteer list (see above) and attending at least one volunteer Presse Day to get a feeling for the collective working environment of the studio. A more extensive description of the UDP Apprenticeship Program is available here.

How to Apply

In lieu of the traditional resume and cover letter, please send us a CV, bio, and a brief response to each of the following questions. Please format the CV, bio, and answers in a single PDF that is no more than two pages total.

1) Tell us about your favorite UDP book. If you haven’t read a UDP book, describe your favorite book of poetry or work in translation.

2) What draws you to nonprofit independent publishing?

3) UDP staff work broadly in the areas of publicity, distribution, design, production, grant writing, administration, events, and community engagement. Are there aspects of publishing that you’re particularly interested in? If so, tell us a bit about your interest and any relevant experience.

4) What skills would you bring to the apprenticeship? What are you hoping to learn? 

5) Describe a role in which you worked collaboratively. This could be a role in any variety of settings: as a student, as a server, organizer, barista, etc. 

6) Describe a role in which you held responsibility. 

Email your application to [email protected] between August 1–10 with the subject line:
2025–26 Apprenticeship: [your name]. 

Job Openings

There are no openings at this time. Please sign up for our newsletter to hear about new opportunities.