When we think of publishing, the first words that often come to mind are editorial and production. Those departments, after all, are the cornerstones of bringing a manuscript to life. However, during my internship at W. W. Norton & Company in New York City, I had the opportunity to explore a side of publishing that’s rapidly transforming the industry, the digital landscape.
This experience opened my eyes to just how multifaceted publishing has become.
Beyond the pages of a printed book lies a world of metadata, e-books, digital marketing, and online learning platforms, all essential to how stories reach readers today. I’ve been able to see firsthand how traditional publishing houses like Norton are adapting to the digital age, balancing literary heritage with innovation. The process involves more than simply converting print to screen; it’s about creating digital experiences that uphold the integrity of an author’s work while making it more accessible to readers and students around the world.
Interning at Norton in the heart of New York City, has been both exciting and humbling. Getting your foot in the door in such a competitive environment is no walk in the park and every day has brought a new opportunity to learn from people who have dedicated their lives to shaping the literary landscape. Whether it’s sitting in on meetings, assisting with digital content organization, or learning how different departments collaborate to bring a project from concept to completion, I have been constantly reminded that publishing is both an art and a business grounded in adaptability.
This internship has also deepened my understanding of where I see myself within the publishing world. While my background as a Literature, Writing, and Publishing major had initially drawn me to editorial work, my time at Norton showed me that the industry’s future lies in its digital evolution and that there’s creativity and strategy in that space as well. As interns, we also experienced weekly meetings with directors from each department. Norton’s goal has always been one of growth and independence; their expectation is that we don’t limit our horizons, but that we use this opportunity as a vessel to find a department where our strengths shine. Throughout my time interning for them, I’ve grown more interested in how digital publishing can make literature more interactive and inclusive and how platforms can amplify diverse voices that might otherwise be overlooked in traditional print publishing.
I couldn’t have taken full advantage of this experience without the help of Sigma Tau Delta’s W. W. Norton Internship Priority Application and the associated stipend, which allowed me to work in New York without the constant worry of financial strain. As a first-generation college student who supports myself while in school, this funding made an enormous difference. It meant I could focus on learning, connecting, and absorbing everything the internship had to offer rather than worrying about rent or commuting costs. That financial stability turned what could have been a stressful balancing act into a period of genuine growth and discovery.
My time at W. W. Norton has not only strengthened my professional skills, but also reaffirmed my long-term goal of building a career in publishing and academia. I left with a deeper appreciation for how the industry continues to evolve and a renewed sense of excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead for literature in the digital age.
Sophia Quintanilla
W. W. Norton & Company Internship Recipient, Fall 2025
Delta Omicron Chapter
St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, NY
W. W. Norton Internship Priority Application
Sigma Tau Delta is partnering with the W. W. Norton College Division to offer Sigma Tau Delta student and alumni members the opportunity to gain experience in educational publishing through a 12-week Composition, Communication, and Literature Editorial internship program. This program serves to introduce interns to the world of educational publishing, which focuses on creating quality textbooks and learning resources for undergraduate students. Interns receive valuable hands-on experience with developing print manuscripts, ebooks, and digital instructional resources, as well as the day-to-day work of an editorial assistant, and opportunities to network with W. W. Norton employees and fellow interns.
Your work—if you become a Norton intern with the Composition, Communication, and Literature teams—may include the following:
- Assisting with manuscript preparation and production for anthologies, readers, and handbooks across the literature and composition list.
- Reading manuscripts and proofs at various stages of publication to help editors and authors improve the quality of print and digital content.
- Assisting with the ebook proofing process for rhetorics, readers, handbooks, and textbooks across the composition and communication lists.
- Compiling, checking over, and posting assessment questions and instructional resources for Norton media products such as ebooks, Testmaker, InQuizitive, and Norton Teaching Tools.
- Assisting with copyediting review for various media assets.
- Working with survey data and marketing grids to assess instructor needs.
- Working with the editorial assistants to complete projects as needed for the composition, communication, and literature teams.
Norton is excited to add interns who bring diverse perspectives to the team. The ideal candidate is curious, hardworking, and eager to learn more about the different facets of educational publishing. Here are some skills and qualities we look for in candidates:
- You have an interest in education and supporting students.
- You have experience working with students as a writing tutor, teaching assistant, educator, mentor, or similar role.
- You are curious about how college textbooks (for all subject areas) and additional learning resources are created.
- You have some experience working on editorial projects, such as magazines, newspapers, freelance editing, or similar projects.
- You have interest or experience in the fields of composition, communication, and literature.
- You are a college junior, senior, recent graduate, or someone looking to make a career change.
Key details:
- Interns are paid $16.50 per hour, subject to applicable law, and work a maximum of 20 hours weekly.
- Specific work hours are flexible to accommodate an intern’s schedule within 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time window.
- Sigma Tau Delta candidates will be given priority consideration for an internship interview at the editorial department of the W. W. Norton College Division.
- For interns who reside within commuting distance of the office, this internship will be in-person in our Manhattan offices; those in other locations will work remotely.
- Interns must be eligible to work in the United States. They are required to reside in the United States during their internship.
- Norton does not complete any paperwork for colleges, universities, or other entities related to for-credit internships or eligibility to work in the US. W. W. Norton & Company, an equal opportunity employer, is fully independent and employee-owned.
Application, Deadline, and Stipend
Applications for the W. W. Norton & Company Internship Priority Consideration are accepted through AwardSpring. The next round of applications will be open June 22 – July 13, 2026, at 4 p.m. CT.
Sigma Tau Delta will forward application materials for our final selected priority candidates to W. W. Norton who will then conduct final interviews. While not required for priority consideration, students may also apply directly to W. W. Norton through the posting link on their website.
Sigma Tau Delta priority members who are awarded an internship with W. W. Norton will receive a $500 stipend from Sigma Tau Delta.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
