Voice Up Children's Book Author Internship 100% Remote

# Voice Up Children's Book Author Internship

## About Voice Up

Voice Up is a revolutionary platform that connects people to purpose, founded on the breakthrough discovery that purpose-driven work creates measurable health improvements. Our research demonstrates that meaningful work reduces depression by 49%, anxiety by 36%, and mortality risk by 17%. Starting with just $2,000 and a mission to transform how people approach their careers and life goals, Voice Up has grown into a global community spanning 3,774 cities across 134 countries. We believe that when individuals discover and pursue their authentic purpose, they don't just improve their own wellbeing—they create ripple effects that strengthen entire communities through innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

## Position Overview

**Position Title:** Children's Book Author & Educational Content Creator Intern

**Duration:** 8-16 weeks (flexible based on student availability)

**Commitment:** 8-12 hours per week

**Location:** Remote with potential institutional partnerships

## Mission Statement

Following the remarkable success of Emily Matheny's "Miracle Has a Monster" series (addressing childhood anxiety, depression, and family challenges) and Allison Wintermute's "Unlocking More" (helping children understand how nature supports mental health), this internship provides students the opportunity to create their own children's books addressing causes they're passionate about while building educational partnerships with schools and organizations.

## The Children's Literature Revolution

Voice Up has demonstrated that when students write from personal experience and passion, they create resources that schools actively seek. Emily Matheny's anxiety-focused book is now being ordered by schools "in hundreds of copies," while Allison Wintermute has secured partnerships with educational organizations like Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. These aren't just books—they're tools that help children feel seen while addressing real mental health and developmental needs.

## Core Responsibilities

### **Children's Book Development**

- Write and develop children's books addressing causes meaningful to your personal experience

- Research age-appropriate approaches to complex topics (mental health, family challenges, social issues, environmental concerns)

- Create content that helps children "feel seen" while providing practical coping strategies

### **Educational Partnership Building**

- Connect with schools, libraries, and educational organizations interested in your book's topic

- Develop educator guides and discussion materials to accompany your book

- Present your work to educational professionals and community organizations

### **Publication & Distribution Support**

- Work with Voice Up's publishing partnerships to bring your book to print

- Assist in marketing and distribution strategies targeting educational markets

- Support other intern authors in their book development process

## Participation Options

### **Three Ways to Join: Volunteer • Academic Credit • Voice Up University**

**Important Note:** All positions begin as volunteer participation for the first 30-45 days to determine close alignment with Voice Up's core principles: collaboration, humility, precision, patience, and empathy. This assessment period ensures authentic fit before advancing to other participation tracks.

All intellectual property rights are maintained by interns.

**1. Volunteer Track**

Develop your children's book while gaining valuable experience in educational content creation and building your portfolio for future career opportunities in publishing, education, or child advocacy.

**2. Academic Credit Track**

After demonstrating alignment with Voice Up principles during the initial volunteer period, earn credit through your university's internship program while creating meaningful children's literature that addresses real community needs - we'll work with your institution to meet specific course requirements.

**3. Voice Up University Enrollment**

Following successful completion of the 30-45 day volunteer assessment period, selected candidates with strong book proposals may receive stipends of $350-$750 monthly through Voice Up University, requiring commitment to a 3-4 month book development and educational partnership project.

## Required Qualifications

- Current undergraduate/graduate student in education, child development, psychology, creative writing, or related field

- Strong writing skills and creativity in storytelling

- Personal passion or experience related to your proposed book topic

- Interest in child advocacy and educational impact

- Cultural sensitivity and understanding of child development principles

- Basic research skills for age-appropriate content development

## Learning Outcomes

- Master children's literature writing techniques for sensitive topics

- Develop skills in educational content creation and institutional partnerships

- Build professional portfolio with published work and measurable educational impact

- Experience how personal passion transforms into resources that serve children's needs

- Gain experience in publishing, marketing, and educational outreach

## Application Process

1. Complete Voice Up's purpose discovery assessment

2. Submit writing portfolio with 2-3 samples (any genre, but children's writing preferred)

3. Complete book proposal outlining your personal connection to the topic and target age group

4. Virtual interview with Voice Up team and potentially current children's book author interns

**Contact:** **Rolling Admissions**

Transform your personal experiences and passions into children's books that help young people navigate life's challenges. Follow in the footsteps of Emily Matheny and Allison Wintermute - create literature that schools want, children need, and communities value.

**Voice Up: We Connect People to Purpose**

Together we are organized around the following structure:

Every person identifies a cause that is personal and valuable to them.

Mine is helping the children of the incarcerated.

Every person agrees to be held accountable to the following principles.

Collaboration

All are welcome. All means all

Collaboration

Collaboration in the workplace extends far beyond simply working together on projects. It represents an active commitment to combining diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to achieve outcomes that surpass what any individual could accomplish alone.

Our project is a first step in raising awareness about a national health epidemic. All proceeds are reinvested directly into proactive strategies for improving behavioral health among youth, teens, and young adults in collaboration with community partners.

Our youth, teens, and young adults are reporting the highest levels of loneliness on record according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Our work is going to help change that through simple actions that bring people together for the common good, focused on lifting people up, and creating stronger in person connections.