On June 15th, Jordan O’Donnell, his manager Jake Harris, and seventeen adventurous interns will embark on an eight week promotion tour for Jordan’s debut novel Zoon Garden: The Decline of a Nation. They will travel on a converted “Skoolie” and two travel trailers across most of the continental 48.
If interested in hosting an event, assisting promotion, connecting during the trip, or working with Jordan and the team in any way please connect through the Contact Page
Cross-Country Road Trip Internship ****Please note our road trip team has reached full capacity. If you are interested in the book or our adventure and would like to help support us remotely please reach out on the contact page.****
In the summer of 2020, from June 15 to August 14 nineteen people will embark on an American road trip to promote Jordan O’Donnell’s debut novel Zoon Garden: The Decline of a Nation. The tour will track down famous commentators, contact media outlets, guerilla market (bumper stickers, drone book drops, etc.), visit small-town cities, hit some tourist sites, and much more.
Positions Hiring
Media Savant: We are looking for three to four people who are technological masterminds, wizards in the realms of social media, videography, photography, and e-commerce. Duties include:
Managing the author’s online media presence: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, website, etc.
Helping find and schedule media appearances: including podcasts, radio, television, newspaper and bookshops.
Business Intern: We are looking for six to eight people who are “Mullet Men,” business in the front, party in the back. We want bold, boisterous, charismatic people who will run through a city, selling the book to strangers, and an hour later suit up to the nines to attend a newspaper interview with the author. If you are the life of the party, the person who can talk to anybody, the person who thrives in spontaneous situations, this is the position for you. Duties include:
Selling the book on the ground. This will include approaching and talking to strangers.
Running a booth with fellow salesmen lead by manager Jake Harris.
Attending professional meetings, such as pitching the book to a newspaper or television program.
Helping plan and execute various promotion stunts.
Videography Intern: We are looking for 3-4 individuals to handle the team's videography and content needs. Applicants should have extensive experience with Final Cut or Adobe Premiere, as well as experience shooting various types of media.
Duties include:
Following the salesmen and creating video and photo content for social media platforms.
Applicants who possess their own video and camera equipment are preferred but not necessary.
SEO and Coding Intern: We are searching for 1-2 individuals to support the tour's SEO and coding needs. Applicants should have ample experience with python, java, ruby, and other popular languages. Applicants should also possess thorough knowledge of SEO, including Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
Duties Include:
Maintaining the author's website, including optimizing it for visibility and sales.
Coding the author's website for optimal aesthetic appeal.
Assisting the team with any additional SEO or coding needs.
Additional Preferred Skills (all positions):
Camping Experience: living in a bus doesn’t offer the same comforts of a house.
Cleanliness: 12 people on a bus and RV can turn into a pigsty quick.
Spontaneity: There will a scheduled plan, but it will be open to changes depending upon opportunities. Selectees need to be open-minded and flexible.
Grit: This trip will be a sprint with twists and turns. High energy and high stress-tolerance are necessary.
Personality: We want to work hard, but we also intend to have the greatest summer of our lives. Selectees should be low-maintenance, pleasant, and downright awesome to be around.
Employer Provided
A fully furnished bus and RV (beds, stove, couches, freezer, fridge, outdoor shower). We will be in cities most of the trip and will use local restrooms/rest stops for #2.
Fuel for the trip’s entirety.
Employee Provided
Personal expenses: food, drinks, etc.
Personal items: clothes, blankets, pillows, any other desired comforts.
Application:APPLY NOW. Please note our road trip is currently full, but if you would like to assist us remotely please paste your resume in the contact section as well as any other relevant information, including which position you are applying for (if multiple please indicate so), your cellphone number for us to contact you, your skills, and why you are best for the job. Be candid, be funny, get creative, and show us your personality. We want to know the real you.
If you are interested in knowing Jake and I better take a peak at our Amazing Race application video.
FAQ: Who can apply? Anyone is welcome to apply. We are not looking for a specific age, gender, or race. We hope to have an eclectic team.
Where exactly will the trip travel? Our exact route has not been planned. However we intend to start in the southern US, go up the west coast and cut back east over the northern route. We will visit Austin, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, New York, Washington, and many more cities. We also intend to visit the occasional National Park or National Forest.
Where will the trip start? The trip will begin and end in Richmond, Virginia. All selectees will need to be in Richmond by or before June 15th.
How much money will I need to bring? However much you need to eat and survive for 10 weeks.
This trip looks amazing, but I can only come for a month. Can I still apply? We will consider part-time positions, but will give priority to candidates who can attend for the trip’s entirety.
This sounds incredible and I want to attend, but I don’t think I have any of the skills you listed. Please still apply. Your skills might be more relevant than you think even if they don’t fit our specific job descriptions.
When will I get paid? Specific pay will be discussed with selectees. That being said. Pay will likely be divided amongst the team on the trip’s final day August 1. Selectees will not receive weekly paychecks.
What will a typical day look like? This trip won’t have a typical day. Some days we will be spreading throughout a city handing out QR code cards. Some days we will attend political rallies. Some days we will take a relaxation afternoon to rest. Some days we will throw a party and gather people from around the city. Some days we will stage massive publicity stunts. Our priorities are 1. Sell the book 2. Have an amazing time. Each day will focus around those two priorities.
What is this book about? While working for the FBI, Jordan O’Donnell sought to find a way to combat the rampant political polarization currently crippling America and many nations around the world. The result was Zoon Garden. The book is an allegorical novel that portrays a nation as a zoo full of diverse animals that slowly falls apart through internecine conflict. It is meant to serve as a warning of what could occur if America or any nation continues down a path of tribalism, media manipulation, and blind dogma. Visit the Books section to find a more thorough blurb about Zoon Garden.