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Posts Tagged ‘internship’

You’re My Friend Now

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Hi everyone!

My name is Beau Swan (iykyk) and I am one of the new interns this Fall at Beaufort!

Do you guys know that TikTok trend where they use the “you’re my friend now, we’re having soft tacos later” audio? If not, click here for a link to my personal favorite example. Anyways, my point is you guys are my friends now, and while I can’t have soft tacos with you guys, I can (and will) share my most interesting facts, thoughts, and opinions (as unprovoked as they might be) with you for the next few months. My very fragile feelings will appreciate if you will put up with me for the short amount of time we have together. 

I just realized we don’t know anything about each other. In order to initiate this newfound friendship, I will tell you guys a little bit about myself…

It all started when my mom met my dad, and they fell in love, and they had me! Hi, I’m Beau Swan, and my life is kind of crazy. I’m just kidding, and for my friends that didn’t get it, that’s just another TikTok reference…I have a little bit of an addiction.

Back to me though, I live in Western New York where I was born and raised. While I may not have moved anywhere different in my lifetime, I do love to travel! I feel like that last sentence makes me sound old. I’m not…at least I hope not. I’m still in my early 20s, so you tell me if I’m old or not. In my defense however, I know how to work both my phone and computer, and I can put my credit card into a pin pad the correct way without a tutorial from the cashier. I just beg that you not ask me what rizz means or if I know a particular trendy dance. The only dance I know is the Cha Cha slide and that’s only because the song tells me exactly what to do. 

Ugh, I keep getting off topic. Some boring facts about myself are that I have my Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing. I was a double major during my undergrad, but I still [by some miracle] found the time to minor in Business. Right now, I’m working on getting my MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College. I love to write just as much as I enjoy reading what others write so it’s the perfect program for me! 

I’m so excited to be at Beaufort this Fall! I’m gonna be reading manuscripts, maybe sitting in on some meetings, working on social media stuff, all that good stuff that comes with working in the publishing industry. And occasionally, I will come to rant to you guys about anything that’s on my mind in relation to books. Hope none of my new friends mind!

Your friend,

Beau Swan

An Irish Goodbye

Wednesday, August 16th, 2023

Once the first blissful week of sleeping in has passed, I always find college summer vacations a bit tough. 

Where are my friends? 

Why is there nothing to do after work except come home? 

And how in the world do people fill all that free time on evenings and weekends? 

After a few days of being bored out of my mind, I remember that I like reading. I rediscover old classics, pick up long-forgotten childhood favorites, and scour the shelves for unread volumes. 

Being separated from my college pals, I also make an effort to reconnect with hometown friends and meet new faces. I chat with visitors at local wineries or find connections with young adults who happen to be working in my obscure hometown over the summer. 

During summer, I always try to work some creative muscles as well that may have been weakened or lost in the heaviness of academics: sketching, designing letters, you name it. 

Today, I realized that all of these activities—these “favorite things” that tend to make my summers fun and rejuvenating—belonged to my summer internship. My “work.”

Reading submissions, writing pitches. 

Discovering random connections with my co-intern and meeting my wonderful employers.

Being allowed to spend hours on Canva designing graphics about books, playing with colors and shapes, like a 2-year-old with a box of markers. 

Thank you, Beaufort Books. What a summer. 

-BEAUtie Wooster, Summer 2023 Intern

From Paperback to the Big Screen

Thursday, June 1st, 2023

Greetings from the Wizarding World! I am one of Beaufort’s new interns, DumBEAUledore, here to make sure that your summer is filled with well-written books, a little bit of magic, and a whole lot of fun. And, I promise, I will try to keep the Harry Potter puns to a minimum. 

I am a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in English/Comparative Literature and American Studies. I am also minoring in Creative Writing, so interning at Beaufort is right up my (Diagon) alley! When I’m not in Chapel Hill, I’m at my family farm in the middle-of-nowhere-North-Carolina, where we raise cattle and grow watermelons. I have a meticulously organized bookshelf and a dog that drives me crazy. And, of course, the fun fact that everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting for: I am a Slytherin. I know. Apologies in advance. 

Now, I’m sure that you all have heard about the new Harry Potter TV series. And, based on my name, you can probably tell that I have quite a few opinions on it. Alas, that will have to be saved for another blog post. However, in honor of this new series, today I will be going through a few books that I think deserve to have movie or TV adaptations.

Cover of Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I just finished reading this book and think that the main character, Charlie Raede, and his loveable dog, Radar, are the perfect coming-of-age duo that everyone expects from King’s novels. With a spellbinding and dark twist on the fairy tales we all grew up with, Fairy Tale’s fantastical scenery and enchanting characters would glow on the big screen.

Cover of Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

As a UNC student, I can’t help but be drawn to books that are set there, and Legendborn is no exception. A UNC alumnus herself, Deonn uses both the lore and layout of the campus in a way that grabs readers’ attention and refuses to let go. If you love Authurian legend and magic, I think that you can agree this modern-day twist on a well-loved classic would make an amazing TV series.

Cover of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Now, I know, this book technically already has a TV show based on it. Don’t get me wrong, Shadow and Bone is an amazing series (I have personally binge-watched all of it). But, I think that the Crows deserve their own TV show! With two books— Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom— to work with, I think that there is plenty of material for at least two seasons of a TV series.

Cover of The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

A friend gave me a copy of this book back in December, and it quickly became one of my favorites. With a charming cast of side characters and an adorable love story, this book is fuzzy all the way around. My personal favorite character is a young boy named Lucy (short for Lucifer, of course). If this ever gets turned into a movie (fingers crossed), I will be first in line at the theater. 

Cover of Illusions of Camelot by Peter Boal

Illusions of Camelot by Peter Boal

I must admit, I am always a sucker for a movie about ballet, and I know that this book would make an amazing one. Boal’s journey from Bedford, New York to principal dancer for the New York City Ballet is the exact type of coming-of-age memoir that would shine on the big screen. By exploring topics such as sexuality, alcoholism, morality, and race, Boal doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of life.

Savushun by Simin Daneshvar

This book is, in my opinion, a quintessential piece of Persian literature. Set in Iran during World War II, Daneshvar captures the day-to-day life of a young mother trying to protect her family. With a scalding critique on the occupation of Iran, this book combines history, folk tradition, and feminism in a way that demands for readers to pay attention. Additionally, the ending of this book is one of the best I have ever read.

If you haven’t read these books yet, I highly recommend it. You never know, they may be the next big thing. 

Until next time, 

DumBEAUledore

Why You Should Intern at Beaufort

Tuesday, May 9th, 2023

By Beau Henry

As my time as an intern comes to a close, I have begun to reflect on what I’ve gained from my time at Beaufort and how future interns might benefit from the program. While publishing internships can be hard to come by, they are foundational to a career in this beguiling industry, and I have found that my time as a Beaufort intern has really clarified some of the more confusing aspects of the industry as a whole. Whether it’s keeping up with the ever-changing publicity strategies or ensuring the publication timeline remains intact, publishing is a curious industry where everyone is always short on time. Interning at Beaufort has given me a solid understanding of how the dedicated people in publishing keep this whole thing afloat.

I have had the opportunity to work for two people who have shown me how this is accomplished, and Emma and Megan have both shown me incredible kindness. They are both talented, hardworking, and creative, and their “health first” approach to publishing was a really refreshing change from the way many companies are run. They encourage interns to tackle new challenges and make it clear that they wouldn’t ask an intern to do something that they wouldn’t do themselves. I have acquired skills in publicity and title management that I otherwise would never have the chance to learn, and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity. In addition to the staff, forming a connection with my fellow intern, Judith Beaumann, has been a gratifying experience as well, and we both have learned a lot from each other that will help us in our careers.

Second only to the people I’ve met are the projects I’ve had the chance to work on, and Beaufort has an incredibly diverse list of titles to choose from. Within Beaufort, there are two other imprints that publish vastly different material from Beaufort’s material, and a wide variety of perspectives are represented in Beaufort’s line. Getting to evaluate manuscript submissions, proofread ARCs, and write reader’s reports has given me a broad set of skills that will help me in my future editorial endeavors. In addition to these skills, I have, by extension, learned to understand how a list is compiled and how the market functions. Though a publisher’s list may have titles that explore a wide variety of themes, getting to see how all the titles function together has been enlightening and has helped me identify potential in manuscript submissions. Seeing the inner workings of the editorial department has helped me understand how writing may be brought to a publishable standard in a wide variety of styles.

Working with a publisher of this scale has really shown me how books are shepherded through the publication process, and the size of a publisher is an often overlooked consideration in a career in publishing. Beaufort is an independent publisher, and Emma and Megan function in many different capacities—which they were generous enough to explain to me. As an intern, I was introduced to a wide variety of roles and duties within a publishing company, and I have a better understanding of how a publishing company works than someone who has only interned in one department. It has helped me evaluate where in the industry I would like to work and what kind of publisher I would like to work for, which is not something I had previously considered. Having a broader understanding of how publishers work has shown me how all departments work together to produce a book, which is the most I could hope for in an internship.

So as I say goodbye and make room for the next group of interns, I would like to thank Emma and Megan for their generosity. They truly care about interns and are incredibly generous with their time. I enjoyed my time at Beaufort and appreciate all that Emma and Megan have done for me. I have learned a lot, and if you are lucky enough to score an internship at Beaufort, you will too.

Five Postmodern Books to Read

Saturday, April 1st, 2023

As a reader, my favorite period of literary history is postmodernism. I’ve always been fascinated by writers who play with form and voice, and postmodernism is rich with this kind of experimentation. I love the idea of form reflecting content and the idea of subjective truth in literature, and the postmodern era more than any other reflects these concerns. The following is a list of postmodern books you should pick up if you’re interested in the period.

The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon

Generally considered to be the entry point to postmodernism for many undergrads, and it’s easy to see why. Pynchon writes in a highly specific, idiosyncratic style that is as enticing as it is bewildering. Though this is much shorter than all of his other books, it provides a good glimpse into his style and his thematic concerns. It tells the story of Oedipa Maas and her efforts to uncover a secret society.

White Noise by Don Delillo

Delillo also has a highly specific style that is both eerie and familiar. There is a rhythmic quality to his writing that lends the story weight in an almost subconscious way. White Noise deals with consumerism and mortality in a very stark and dramatic way. It tells the story of Jack Gladney and his wife Babette’s fear of death. It was recently adapted into a Netflix film starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig that is just as confusing as the book.

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

This technically falls outside of what most scholars refer to as postmodernism, but stylistically it is cut from the same cloth. It might be called post postmodernism or hysterical realism, but the same themes of absurdity run throughout the book. Smith is a titan of modern literature, and her voice is eloquent and moving. White Teeth deals with postcolonialism in London and features a diverse cast of characters. 

Sixty Stories by Donald Barthelme

Equal parts experimentation and compelling characters, Sixty Stories is a masterclass on the art of short story writing. Barthelme approaches short fiction with humor and wit and crafts off-kilter narratives that draw you in just as they push you away. He foregoes traditional structures and neat resolution to give you a much murkier, anecdotal form of short story, and Sixty Stories shows you just how far you can take a joke.

Lost in the Funhouse by John Barth

Barth is another writer who loves to play games with readers, and Lost in the Funhouse does exactly that. Confusing perspectives, stories within stories, parallels with Greek mythology, and a bit of humor make this book a fascinating read. Barth’s stories are often representative of metafiction as a form, and they focus less on character and more on the story as artifice, which yields exciting results. For many Barth is the representative postmodern writer, and Lost in the Funhouse is his greatest work.

I hope these recommendations appeal to some of you and pique your interest in this fascinating period in literary history. Sometimes the way the story is told is as important as the story. 

Until next time!

Beau Henry

Beaufort Titles I Will Read in 2023

Tuesday, January 31st, 2023

Hello, readers! My name is Beau Henry, and I am one of Beafort’s newest interns. As a new intern, I’m very excited to dig a bit deeper into Beaufort’s incredible list. Aside from the bestsellers like If I Did it and I Shall Live, I’m hoping to explore some frontlist titles in genres I’m not as familiar with. As someone who has mostly been interested in literary fiction, I’m hoping to get a better grasp on genres such as romance, mystery, and science fiction and to expand my reading habits. The following books are a few that I’m very excited to explore.

The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way by Raymond Benson 

On top of an excellent title, the plot’s labyrinthine twists and turns look fascinating, and the sardonic humor in the narrative voice is endearing. The layers to the relationships within the novel and the warped Americana at the center of the novel are very much in line with my interests.

Hidden Falls by Kevin Myers

The tragedy of the plot is deeply layered, and the criminal conspiracy that pushes the narrative forward is appealing. I love when books have the capability to draw you in with carefully crafted narrative turns, and Hidden Falls certainly does that. The austerity of the main character’s voice adds additional weight to the themes in the novel.

A Few Words About Words by Joe Diorio

As a huge grammar nerd, I am always on the lookout for new books about grammar and language. Grammar is fascinating because it allows you to view language as equations where there are right answers and wrong answers. While art is subjective, grammar is not, and I find that to be very reassuring.

Whereabouts Unknown by Richard Probert

As someone who finds expansive, maximalist novels to be very exciting, this historical fiction novel is intriguing. The parallels between family connections and lives marred by tragedy across decades is incredible, and I’m hoping to find out how Probert pulls off a narrative with such a vast scope.

While these four are at the top of my list, I’m looking forward to seeing the new titles that Beaufort has in store for this year!

Until next time,

Beau Henry

On to the Next

Friday, December 9th, 2022

Dear Readers,

One thing to always remember is that when opportunity comes, it never goes away. My time as a Beaufort Books intern may have reached its time, but I know that I have made a valuable connection with four amazing individuals throughout these three months and will continue to apply what I have been taught to whatever opportunity approaches next. 

I came across the internship out of the blue. I discovered a callout for submissions through a sponsored Spencer Hill Press Instagram story. I followed them with the hope that when I finally write a manuscript that I could possibly pitch it to SHP or work with them in some way. After a few days, I saw the job posting for Fall Editorial Interns. I applied with the hope that securing this position would truly make me an equal, if not a standout candidate for a future publishing career. 

By the end of the summer, I was offered the position and I felt so proud of myself for shooting my shot and feeling like I was worthy enough to pursue this career that I have worked towards for what feels like only a short time. They tell you that a career in publishing is competitive and that is certainly true for many aspects of it. However, I find that when you look hard enough for chance opportunities (or sometimes even stumble upon them), the rewards will be so valuable and beneficial. 

I learned that I have an ability to design graphics which I had never properly known how to do before. Outside of taking and editing pictures, I never thought that I had the eye to put an image together from scratch that would be appealing and marketable. I designed many graphics that I look forward to seeing on Amazon some day. 

Beyond that, I read a manuscript that I felt very strongly about, and got a glimpse at what it felt like to fall in love with an unpublished piece of writing. I learned about contracts and how authors get paid. I even had the chance to assist in publicity research which further enforced how much I cherish that field of work. 

This internship has given me more passion and knowledge for the publishing industry, and fostered a new level of confidence because of the experience and the people who helped me along the way. I am so grateful and excited for all that is ahead of me. I am even more excited to apply what I learned throughout this experience onto others because I only have one semester left before I am able to navigate true adult life. I am scared about so much beyond graduation, but one thing I am definitely confident in now is the career field I will be in. 

Thank you to Beaufort Books for granting me a place here and for being such a bright spot as I get ready for everything that’s ahead of me. 

Sincerely,

Kaliisha of Woods BEAUyond

A Virtual Farewell

Tuesday, August 10th, 2021

Summer is coming to an end, and so is my internship with Beaufort Books. Though my internship was entirely virtual and I never made it up to New York, I discovered the positive side to working from home. I was able to go to my local coffee shop when I needed a change of scenery, and traveling was basically a non-issue, as long as I had access to Wi-Fi. I even got the chance to visit some friends in Boston for a few weeks!

I also learned a great deal about the publishing world. A lot goes on behind the scenes of book-creation, and most of it has nothing to do with actually writing the book. Still, every step in the process is equally important, and if one step is ignored, that entire process will fail. I think what I found to be most surprising about publishing is how crucial editors are to the writing process—I’d always assumed that editing was one of the last steps in publishing a novel, when in reality an editor will sometimes advise the author to completely rewrite a draft long before the book’s publication.

Despite the positives of working virtually, I am sad that I never got to meet everyone in person or visit the Beaufort office in the city. I hope that one day I’ll be able to travel to New York without hearing any Covid-19 news, and that I will be able to meet the wonderful people at Beaufort without having to wear a mask or practice social distancing. Until that day comes, I will really miss chatting with my coworkers about all things book-related!  

Lamor-BEAU

“Every Ending is a New Beginning”

Monday, April 27th, 2020

My four months at Beaufort Books have been anything but normal.  From assisting with a full office move to learning how to work remotely, I have had a very unique internship experience.  But even with all of its twists and turns, this internship has been nothing short of wonderful.

I have learned a lot in these short four months.  I was taught how long it takes to publish a book from start to finish, as well as how most books have a multiple of sixteen pages (grab your closest book and check—it’s true!).  I tried my hand at designing Instagram and Amazon advertisements for our social media and online pages and realized how much time and energy goes into the creative process.  I helped edit the back copy for an upcoming title and recognized how difficult it is to capture the reader’s attention without spoiling the plot.  I transcribed notes into manuscripts and noticed how truly detail-oriented editors have to be.

But above all else, I learned one very important thing: Beaufort is a place where people care.  This is an office where “How are you?” is a true question, not an obligatory daily greeting.  But most importantly, Beaufort is a place where each and every book is treated like it is the only book in the world.  The editors at Beaufort give their all to every title, from start to finish, to ensure that the final product is something to be proud of.  They check each page, each comma, each word in order to publish the best book possible.

As much as publishing is a business, this is an industry about people.  It is an industry built around stories, relationships, experiences, and connections.  Publishing shines the brightest when we remember the real people behind every book and the journey that they’ve taken with every title.  As I move forward to my college graduation and the next step in my publishing career, I will be sure to take this lesson with me.  I will remember all the things that the Beaufort editors have taught me as well as the relationships that we have built.

So thank you, Beaufort, for everything, and I’m sure that I will see you soon!

Goodbye for now,

Charlotte Beaurontё

Senior Spring, COVID Edition

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

Monday, Monday 9, 12:31 p.m.: I receive an email from my university’s president announcing that all in-person classes are suspended until March 27.  The university encourages us to return home for the next three weeks. At around 7 p.m., I arrive home from the Beaufort office and pack my bags, joking with my roommates about how we may not ever see each other again.  We laugh and they tell me about how students have been relaxing all day, knowing that classes for the next two days are canceled entirely. My dad picks me up and I leave my dorm for what I believe will be an extra-long Spring Break.

Tuesday, March 10, 4:35 p.m.: I receive another email from school.  This one demands that all students who are able to leave campus housing immediately, and I wonder if there were too many parties on campus last night or if there is actually something to worry about.  Rumors start to swirl about classes being online until after Easter. The idea is frustrating, but not the worst thing that could happen.

Wednesday, March 11, 9:45 p.m.: Another email.  All students studying abroad, including those at the university’s London campus, have been called home in light of developing quarantine measures and travel restrictions.  All on-campus events are canceled through March 29. I receive a frantic email from a member of an on-campus organization that I lead; she tells me she is not going to be able to meet an assignment deadline because she is packing for her 6 a.m. flight.  It is nearly midnight.

Thursday, March 12: No emails are sent out today.  My friends and I track the decisions being made by other schools.  Some have suspended in-person instruction for two or three weeks. Others have switched to online classes for the rest of the semester.  I still believe that we will return to campus, at least for the last few weeks of classes and for final exams.

Friday, March 13, 8:59 p.m.: I receive the email that breaks my heart: the university has decided to finish the semester online.  We will not be able to return to campus. All events for the remainder of the year, including our end-of-semester celebrations, are canceled.  Decisions about graduation have yet to be made, but no promises are made. Sitting in my childhood bedroom, I cry. My friends call me and we cry together.  Hours later, I tell my parents the news and cry again.

In a matter of four days, my college experience was turned upside down.  Everything I had grown to love—being on my own, living within walking distance of friends from all over the country, lounging on the lawn on campus, sharing coffee with friends in the library at 2 a.m., having Manhattan a train stop away—was taken away before I could even process it.  All of a sudden, I was back at home trying to find a desk to do my work at.

This is not the way I planned to end things.  As a senior, this was supposed to be the best part of my college career.  I was excited to hand off my positions to underclassmen. I was excited to attend awards ceremonies.  I was excited to watch the sunrise from the football field the morning of graduation. I was excited to do everything one last time, knowing that it would be the last time.

Now, as I sit at home wishing I had taken more pictures of campus and of my friends, I can’t help but think about all the things I will not get to do.  I have been trying to balance this sadness with the little joys of everyday life, but it is not an easy task. One thing that has helped me is making a daily list of what I am grateful for.  These lists often include things like having a safe home, having a healthy and loving family, and having good WiFi and my boyfriend’s Netflix password. While it doesn’t feel like much, I know that it is far more than what others have.  For each and every thing on my list, I am truly thankful.

Stay healthy and until next time,

Charlotte Beaurontё

This is a shared blog post for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press.

Looking for a distraction?

Friday, April 3rd, 2020

Hello readers!

We are living in crazy times, but I hope I can provide some distractions in the form of books! With the seemingly endless time we have, I’ve compiled a list of dystopian books that will hopefully distract from our own dystopia we’re currently living in. (Note: I steered clear of books with illnesses for obvious reasons).

1984 by George Orwell:

If you haven’t read this since high school, now is the perfect time to pick it up again! George Orwell’s classic surveillance dystopia will make you glad Big Brother can’t really watch anyone while we’re stuck at home. Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth rewriting history to fit the government’s always changing versions. He buys a diary one day where he writes about his hate for the government and Big Brother which sends him on a mission to expose some sort of truth about the society he lives in. 1984 is full of craziness to hopefully make you forget about the real-life craziness we’re facing right now.

Under the Dome by Stephen King:

This book will make you glad we’re not actually trapped. Stephen King writes his own dystopian in the form of a small town trapped under a dome that no one can leave. Of course, it’s Stephen King, so this book could keep you entertained through the entire quarantine with its multitude of characters and their intense fight for power in dystopian times. Follow up your reading by bingeing the TV adaptation which is streaming on CBS All Access and Amazon Prime Video.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood:

I’m sure everyone’s binged the Hulu original, but now is the perfect time to visit Margaret Atwood’s original novel. The protagonist, Offred, is forced to conceive children for the society’s elite. She eventually learns of an underground rebel group that tries to help women escape, but of course nothing is that easy. Let the horror and disbelief of this apocalyptic society make you forget about the apocalyptic view of empty New York streets.

Stay safe,

David Beauie

This is a shared blog post for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press.

“All my heart is yours,” Books

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

In my opinion, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers one of the prettiest views in the city.

Hello readers!

 I am one of the new interns for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press for the next few months!  I am very excited to share my thoughts, experiences, and, of course, good reads with you from time to time.  As a lover of classic literature, I’ll be going by the nom-de-plume Charlotte Beaurontё.  Jane Eyre was one of my favorite books from high school and it helped me understand why “the classics” are so everlasting.

Seeing as this is my first blog post, I find it fitting to offer a brief introduction of myself.  For the past four years, I have spent most of my time in New York going to school. I truly believe that New York City is a center of all things, and I love having easy access to so many museums, libraries, parks, and neighborhoods all at once.  While I live in the Bronx, my weekend travels often bring me to SoHo and Greenwich Village to relax in Washington Square Park, do a little window shopping, or scope out my new favorite coffee shop. Speaking of coffee, I would not be here without it.  I am a firm believer that coffee is its own food group, and the quickest way to my heart is a La Colombe latte.

When I’m not in the city, I’m home in New Jersey spending time with my family.  We are avid hockey fans (Let’s go Devils!) and love attending games together. My siblings and I all played different sports growing up, which perhaps explains my minor competitive streak (that or the fact that I’m the middle child). We also have an adorable West Highland terrier, Bella, who is the true favorite child, whether my parents will admit it or not.

While I often feel like I am running from one activity to the next, I love to make time to slow down, light some candles, and curl up with a good book.  I am constantly looking for new places to read and hope to explore some new libraries this semester.  My favorite thing about books is the fact that they allow you to learn about different cultures, lifestyles, time periods, and even worlds that you might not otherwise be able to.  While I’m a sucker for classics, I love the increasing levels of diversity in modern publishing. I hope to see this trend continue and am interested to watch how the industry changes.

Whenever I visit The Strand Bookstore in lower Manhattan, I spent a great deal of my time (and money) in the poetry section.

I can’t wait to explore all facets of publishing at Beaufort this semester and am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you!

Until next time, 

Charlotte Beaurontё

This is a shared blog post for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press. 

Take a Chance On Me

Thursday, December 12th, 2019

As I’ve started to reflect on my time here at Beaufort and Spencer Hill, I’ve been remembering just how quickly the opportunity came to fruition. It had been less than a week since I moved from the middle of Oklahoma to a new apartment in Brooklyn in the hopes of securing my first internship in publishing. My entire family thought I was crazy, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn they had taken bets on when I would return home. In fact, the thought of working in publishing hadn’t even occurred to me until I was already six months out of college, and it felt like I was racing the metaphorical clock to get entry-level publishing experience before it was “too late.” Though I have since learned that publishing is a very accepting industry that welcomes newcomers of all ages with open arms, I still spent every day scouring BookJobs for any opportunities I may have missed.

I was tending to my battered ego after a string of rejection letters came in (all in one day, to make matters worse) when I noticed a brand new posting for a fall internship at Beaufort Books. I applied, and within a week I was sitting on the phone with Karen, discussing Beaufort’s catalogue and the various opportunities I could take advantage of as a potential intern for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press. Karen and Megan took a chance on me, and by the next Tuesday I was sitting in Beaufort’s Flatiron District office as their newest intern.

It all still feels like a blur, but I couldn’t imagine a better way to be introduced to the publishing industry. Though I’m incredibly sad to be leaving Beaufort and its talented team of editors, I take solace in the fact that I gained an invaluable, first-hand look at what it takes to transform a rough manuscript into a polished final book, that I am never more than a quick train ride away, and that there are dozens of Beaufort and Spencer Hill titles that are still to be read.

I hate to say goodbye, but all good things must eventually come to an end. It feels fitting to wrap up with one of the most popular quotes from the character that inspired my pseudonym:

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all. From now on you’ll be traveling the road between who you think you are and who you can be. The key is to allow yourself to make the journey.”

-Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries

I am forever grateful to you, readers, for joining me on my journey at Beaufort Books!

Cheers,

Mia ThermoBEAUlis

This is a shared blog post for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press. 

This Is Farewell

Wednesday, December 11th, 2019

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” – T. S. Eliot

Four months have never passed so quickly. When I started at Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press in September, it felt like I had all the time in the world to soak up the experience of being a publishing intern. How naïve of me. New York City is so fast-paced that 14 weeks seem to go by in mere seconds. Nevertheless, in these 14 weeks, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge working with truly impressive and wonderful people. Taking a book from manuscript to publication is an arduous undertaking, but the people at Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press do it with grace and skill. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from them, and parting ways with them is bittersweet.

Leaving New York City is equally as hard. I have gained so much from this incredible city. The confidence of navigating an often confusing and delayed train system. The determination of pushing through crowds of tourists when you’re late. The list goes on. Being here during the holidays has been a dream too! Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, and being here in the City to see all the lights and decorations has only deepened this sentiment. Of one thing I am certain, I will be leaving a part of my heart in this city when I go, but I know that I will be back soon.

I figured that before I say goodbye, I should probably leave you all with my recommendations of things to do in NYC. Check them out below!

  1. Get free tickets to Late Night with Seth Meyers or another talk show

Sign up for a 1iota account to be put on the waitlist for a plethora of shows and events happening in New York. I went in early December to Late Night with Seth Meyers and saw Saoirse Ronan (Ladybird) and Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)!

2. Take a walk around Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO

I lived in Brooklyn Heights during my stint in the City, and it was such a great place to be. The neighborhood has tons of restaurants, beautiful brownstones, and is a short walk from the Promenade where you can get million-dollar views of the city skyline. Right next door is DUMBO, another great neighborhood with tons to do and incredible views.

3. Visit Times Square. Just go early

If you want to visit this tourist attraction without the crowds, I recommend going around 9 AM and not during the holidays. I went early in the morning at the beginning of November. No massive crowds. No lines at the Disney store. It was glorious.

4. See a Broadway show

I managed to see TEN shows on Broadway during my four months. I kept the costs minimal by entering the lotteries and joining the rush lines for plays that I wanted to see. My top recommendation is Jagged Little Pill. Alanis Morisette’s iconic album inspired the musical. It was a marvelous and emotional ride.

5. Leave the City

Although I love New York, there are so many amazing places that are just a short train ride away! I went to Connecticut to visit friends and enjoyed the change in pace from New York. Mystic, CT, is a quaint little town on the coast that is a perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the City. There are also beautiful places in upstate New York that are close by.

Well, dear readers, the time has come. Goodbyes are so bittersweet, but I am excited about what’s next for me. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope all of you have a joyous holiday season and a blessed 2020! Love hard, read often!

With gratitude,

Captain Beaumerica

This is a shared post with Spencer Hill Press.

Book Expos and Baudelaires

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015

Hello Readers!

I’m one of the new interns here at Beaufort and I will be writing under the name Violet BEAUdelaire, after my favourite (note that spelling – yes, I am Canadian and no, I will not be giving up my Canuck roots while I’m here in NYC) character from Lemony Snicket’s  A Series of Unfortunate Events. As a kid, Violet was a huge inspiration to me; in times of hardship, she was strong, smart, and resourceful. The Unfortunate Events books are all about being able to make the best out of a bad situation and the lessons those books taught me have carried through my whole life.

My alter ego in her usual state of distress…

While this is my first week in the Beaufort office, I actually started my internship last Tuesday. That’s right, folks, they threw me right into the raging fire commonly known as Book Expo America. Over the course of 72 hours, I left the small prairie city where I grew up, moved into my residence in New York City, and found myself right in the centre of the biggest publishing event in North America. BEA is amazing and exhilarating, but it’s also overwhelming, confusing, and terrifying – especially if your entire life has just been uprooted. This is where my Violet Baudelaire skillset came into play.

In the books, Violet is represented as a talented and passionate inventor. She takes what is available and makes it into something better, something useful. She sees what looks like nothing and creates something amazing. When I arrived at BEA, I felt like I didn’t belong. I was new to Beaufort and new to the publishing world at large. I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t quite know what my role was at the expo. For the first couple of hours, I wandered aimlessly, unsure if I was allowed to talk to people or check out the piles of free merch.

What I looked like at BEA probably

Finally, I decided to channel Violet; the difference was that instead of making a welding torch out of a fireplace poker or a stapler out of a tap shoe, I invented a new, confident persona for myself. I talked to people. I talked about Beaufort’s books like I had been working here for months instead of just a few hours. Suddenly, I wasn’t out of place at all.

That, I think, is why so many people are captivated by the written word. Reading allows you to reinvent yourself in a way that no other medium really can. When I’m reading, I’m not myself, I’m living in some between space where I can feel the experiences of another person. That sensation is absolutely singular and the amount of passion one sees at events like BEA proves how intensely it can affect people. Whether we’re moving countries, starting a new job, or simply opening a book, to reinvent ourselves is what being human is all about.

I’m still spelling “colour” with a U, though.

Best wishes,

Violet BEAUdelaire