Tag Archive for "publishing intern"

Posts Tagged ‘publishing intern’

“What I learned in Boating School is…”

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023

My time here is sadly coming to an end, so with that, I leave you with my top three most valuable things I’ve learned over the course of these past few months:

Working/Interning at a small press offers more learning opportunities: There’s a reason they are referred to as “small presses.” Key word here is “small.” There’s not a ton of staff for these indie publishers to work in an assembly line fashion, keeping to their specific task. Most likely, the workers at these companies, though they have an area of expertise, are still doing a little bit of everything–editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, etc. Therefore, when you start your position at an indie publisher, you’re going to be learning way more than you would at a Big 5 publisher, and who knows, you may even find you love a different area of publishing more than you originally thought to pursue.
Publishing is way more than just reading books: This kind of goes hand-in-hand with my last point, but I assume this also translates well to those who work at a Big 5 in, say, editorial. It’s not all reading submissions. There’s a lot more tedious tasks that go into making everything come together. So, while you will spend a lot of time reading, prepare yourself for the administrative tasks that come with the position.
There’s more than just the Big 5 out there: This goes for both, those trying to get published and those trying to get a job in publishing. It’s so easy to be overlooked by these major publishers because so many are flocking to them in pursuit of their dreams. However, your chances of getting your big break will greatly increase if you seek out opportunities elsewhere. Indie publishers are way more likely to pay you mind, so take a chance on them and they just may be willing to take a chance on you.

I hope these points enlighten you as they did me. I had such an amazing time at Beaufort these past few months and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to intern here. So with that, this is me signing off.

-Beau Swan

Get in the (adult) Halloween Spirit with 5 Spooky Books and Paired Wines

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023

Happy Halloween everyone!

Kim Beaussible reporting in on the spookiest day of the year! Wherever you are, I hope that your candy bowl is full for tonight and that your costume will keep you warm and toasty this evening. Here on the west coast, costumes are covered with coats or bolstered by several layers underneath, making my four-year-old nephew’s Spiderman costume look suspiciously buff this year. But this time of year is my favorite. As the summer burns away and the ghosts come out to play, I sink into my books, my spooky movies, and my wine that will eventually spill onto the page when I jump out of my skin. Even spies get scared sometimes.

This Halloween I’ve chosen a few books, paired with a bottle of wine, with something for every reader, from those who like a cozy mystery or a whimsical witchy tale to those who want to be looking over their shoulder after they put the book down.

The Thursday Murder Club

This season is the one for book clubs if you ask me. My mother and her friends always seemed to revamp their club in the fall, each leaf on the ground like another page they would burn through. The Thursday Murder Club, from British TV personality Richard Osman, would be my pick for them this spooky season. Set in a retirement home with a diverse cast of characters, this cozy follows a group of retirees who have created a club to solve mysteries in their remaining free time, only to be embroiled a murder case on their doorstep. With humor and mystery, this offbeat cozy is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a spooky read that will make you think but won’t give you nightmares.

I’ve paired this cozy mystery with the Phantom Chardonnay. White wines scream cozy to me, they’re easy to sip and not too heavy, and Phantom wine bottles always catch my eye.

Witch of Wild Things

Now, readers, what would Halloween look like without witches, or books about them for that matter? Practical Magic will always be on my spooky season watchlist or TBR list, with its romantic, whimsical interpretation of witches. Looking for something that fit into my obsession with the Owens witches’ greenhouse, I chose a Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, a romantic fantasy about Sage and her sisters that are figuring out their own unique magical powers. With family, romance, and a little bit of a Poison Ivy killer botany desires mixed in, this book will take you on an emotional, magical rollercoaster.

If it’s romance, it’s got to be rosé. Our Halloween inspired pick, Banshee Rose, had to make the list. With notes of berry, light baking spice and dried herbs, this wine would be any witch’s pick.

The Lost Apothecary

If witches and magic haven’t always struck a chord for you because of the fantastical elements, The Lost Apothecary is a great alternative, as a female driven, historical fantasy. A haunted woman runs an apothecary for women in late 1700s London, doling out remedies and poisons for the ladies of the city, when she’s caught up in a scheme from one such lady and her maid. 200 years later, a woman facing the crossroads of her failing marriage finds a vial that once belonged to the apothecary, taking her on a wild goose chase to find out where it came from and to find what she’s been missing in her life. Light and dark all at the same time, this book balances apothecary magic with the real world feminine experience, where a woman’s magic might just set her free.

With the misty fog of London as the backdrop and the ghosts following each character, Ghost Pines Pinot Noir seemed a fitting pair for this book. The label itself reminded me of the apothecary, Nella, making her trips across the Thames to collect supplies for her potions, and the mixture of blackberry and black pepper are perfect for the fall weather.

Ladies of the Lake

If you’re looking for a thriller that sounds like a soap opera drama to drink up with your wine, look no further than Ladies of the Lake from Beaufort Books. After a fight and then a horrific accident in an affluent neighborhood leaves a man dead, his second wife lives her life as if she can finally breathe but other wives start getting jealous and then other husbands start dying and the LAPD and their children turn suspicious. Filled with mystery, suspense, drama, and a little romance this book is the perfect mix for those who like reality TV this Halloween. This is another lighter read for those who aren’t looking to be too scared but rather spookily entertained.

A wine that looks sweet and light but is much darker than it seems, just like this book, my pairing is the Willamette Valley Vineyards White Pinot Noir. While this wine looks like a rosé, it expresses both red and white wine characteristics — creaminess, rich mid-palate, bright aromas and flavors with balanced acidity.

A Flicker in the Dark

This end of the spooky spectrum is where I like to read and live. Thrillers and Horror books are some of my favorites, purely because of their ability to surprise me. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is one of my favorite thrillers I’ve read this year; I couldn’t get to the end fast enough, reading the last 100 pages in one sitting. Chloe is afraid of the dark, and rightfully so after learning at 12 that her father was a serial killer. Now 20 years later, she downs her wine with a Xanax just to sleep at night, and when someone appears to become a copycat of her father’s crimes, she takes it upon herself to find the killer despite her fears.

A dark red wine for a dark book, the Prayers of Sinners Red Blend is my favorite on this list as well, with the title sounding just like Chloe’s attempt at atonement for the sins of her father. With notes of coffee, fruit, and gunsmoke, the wine has a bold, elegant finish just like Chloe.

Book Villians Beware, the New Intern is Here

Friday, September 8th, 2023

Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me, it’s Kim Beaussible reporting for duty as one of your new Beaufort Books Interns for Fall of 2023 (somehow it’s that year). Allow me to introduce myself.

I’m a freelance editor from Oregon with a Master’s degree in Book Publishing from Portland State University and a former member of Ooligan Press. Before then, I graduated from the University of Denver Publishing Institute and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon where I majored in English with a minor in Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning. Books and great writing have always been my passion, but growing up somewhere that cable TV can’t reach may have influenced that (I didn’t actually get to watch Kim Possible unless I was at a friend’s house or until we got satellite when I was in high school). Now that I’m here at Beaufort, I’m excited to continue to learn and share my knowledge with authors and audiences who love the world of books just as much as I do.

Personally, I read far and wide across the bookstore from literary fiction, fantasy, general/contemporary fiction, thrillers, mythological retellings, and many more. Much like the rest of the Beaufort staff, I mainly just enjoy a well-written book, but the genre varies. Now that we know each other a little better, let’s talk about BOOKS because I don’t know about you but I’ve read some interesting ones in the past few years that I can’t stop thinking about and I have to tell someone else about this one.

As a reader and editor, I’ve been thinking about expectations lately. Years ago when I had creative writing classes, the issue I ran into was that my plots always felt somewhat predictable or lacked the creativity other writers had. However, being an editor is rather different. You’re presented with someone else’s story, fact or fiction, and are asked to help package it. Packaging can mean different things (editing, cover design, etc.) but it’s largely about meeting the audience’s expectations, whether that’s for genre, form, or other book-loving criteria. And there’s nothing worse than reading a book that doesn’t meet them, and I expect a lot from my authors. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is one book I went into with somewhat high expectations. As a story about a platonic male-female, two-decade friendship I expected to be moved by the ups and downs of having friends for that long, especially one of the other sex and who you work with. Sam, the male protagonist, had characterizations and mannerisms as a shy, too-smart-for-his-own-good nerd that reminded me of my older brother. He has a unique worldview, finding comfort in the world of video game development, and Zevin’s writing allowed me to connect him with someone in my own life. That’s all to say, she had already started to meet my expectations. What I hadn’t anticipated was the gut wrenching chapter entitled NPC: The Nonplayable Character. If you’ve read the book, you’ll remember it as the one where you’re sobbing so hard you actually have to put the book down. That chapter exceeded any expectations I had. It was one of those moments as an editor that I knew this was the reason the book had made it out of the slush pile, I had never read anything like it. Zevin had shifted her writing style entirely for the chapter, giving us an unexpected perspective and changing the entire dynamic of the book. The defiance of my expectations is why I still talk about this book more than a year after completing it.

In writing, much like in life, things don’t always turn out the way we expect, which can be the best part of reading. The mark of a good writer or editor is to know what expectations to uphold and when to deliver the unexpected, managing and balancing them in perfect harmony.

You can expect (wink) to hear more from me in the coming months with my thoughts on books and maybe even a spooky treat for Spooky Season.

Signing off, your basic average girl, here to save the world of books,

Kim Beaussible

Fall Internship Intro Blog

Thursday, September 7th, 2023

Hello everyone!

My name is BEAUba Fett and I am excited to start my internship with Beaufort Books this fall! While my name inspiration didn’t get to say a whole lot on screen in all those Star Wars movies, you’ll be hearing a lot from me throughout the fall on a wide range of topics!

I have recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Screenwriting, and I’m looking to start my career in publishing. I just moved right outside New York City, which is a far cry from Ohio but I can’t wait to embrace a new lifestyle and change of pace. I’m looking for graduate programs in publishing to take the next step in my career, hopefully somewhere in the city to truly take advantage of being in the publishing capital of the world!

I’ve had a passion for reading my entire life, yet I didn’t know that publishing was the route I wanted to go down until this summer. During the months leading up to graduation and those following, I searched job sites up and down for potential fits, but I couldn’t find anything that felt like something more than just a job that would pay the bills. I eventually stumbled across the internship opportunity for Beaufort Books, and I applied immediately. After speaking with Emma and Megan, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the team here. The smaller size of the company makes everything feel more personal and allows for a closer look at how the industry works. I can’t wait to get a hands on approach to all aspects of the publishing industry and learn from experienced professionals!

Besides from how I got here, here are some of the books that have made me into the reader that I am today: East of Eden, 1984, Pet Semetary, Misery, The Grapes of Wrath, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Great Gatsby, Things Fall Apart, The Magic Tree House, and so much more. I initially was just naming more recent titles that I’ve read, but it would be incomplete without some of the defining series that grew my passion for books.

Maybe I’ll find the next one to add to this list in the submissions I’ll be reading!

Outside of reading, I love to be outside in nature, and one of my biggest life goals is to visit every national park. My favorites that I’ve been to so far are The Badlands, Shenandoah, Devil’s Tower (National Monument, but close enough), Grand Canyon, and of course my home state’s Cuyahoga Valley. I enjoy cooking homemade meals, especially a nice salmon or chicken stir fry. I’m always looking for new recipes, but I have yet to master the elusive art of making a pancake. I also write in my free time, another life goal of mine is to get something I wrote published or produced. I’ve only worked on my own scripts for movies and TV so far, but I’m planning to write my first book for my next project!

Again, I am very excited to start my journey in publishing and I feel that I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start than with Beaufort Books.

BEAUba Fett

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

Reading on the Road

Thursday, January 26th, 2023

Hi, everyone. I am one of Beaufort Books Spring Interns.

I am so excited to be working at Beaufort Books this spring. I grew up in upstate New York, although my mom and I were constantly moving around. We spent so much time in the car traveling from one adventure to the next, and we would always pack a big bag of books to read while driving.

In December 2022, I graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a B.S. in Psychology. For so long I thought my passion for stories would always just be relinquished to staying up too late to read just one more chapter. New Orleans, though, held so many opportunities, amazing mentors, and my passion for publishing became my main focus.

Discovering new novels that will take readers through a whirlwind of emotions is something I am looking forward to during my internship. Some of my favorite books are The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith; Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert; and my newest favorite How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie. Don’t worry, I promise my mom is safe and sound.

I can’t wait to see what my adventure at Beaufort Books holds!

Best Wishes,

Judith Beaumann

Management Skills in Publishing and Goodbye

Friday, December 2nd, 2022

Management skills in the publishing industry are important when leading employees and therefore setting an example. When working in the publishing industry, it can be useful to lead with empathy and be able to work as a team. Working as a team to get books published on time is important. Authors depend on you to publish their work on time and deliver it to readers in the best shape. They have trusted you with work they have spent months, and sometimes even years, writing. Leading a team in the publishing industry can be fulfilling, but scary as well. Suddenly you are given the responsibility of managing a team and keeping up communication with authors. One key aspect we cannot forget is that passion has led us to the publishing industry. Our fulfillment of seeing a book we have worked hard on published is thrilling. So what skills can we learn as leaders to help manage teams more efficiently?

One important skill is to check on your team and make sure they get breaks in between the work. Giving breaks away from the project, even if it is brief, will prevent your team from getting burnt out. A drained team will not bring in the best work and this might leave authors frustrated. Another important skill is to lead with empathy and getting to know your team outside the work. You don’t need to tell your team everything about you, but sharing small details will help build a connection and foster a better work environment. Hosting small work events can help boost your team too. Finally, having trust in your team to get the work done on time is an important skill to learn as a leader. When you micromanage your team, you are telling them that you do not trust their work. It is crucial to build trust within your team and to keep communication open when working.

I would like to say goodbye to you all and I hope you enjoyed my blog posts over the past two months. I hope you can take this brief blog about managing to heart as you lead. Beau Vader out.

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

Heart in the Big Apple, Head at Home

Thursday, May 20th, 2021

Hello readers!

My internship with Beaufort Publishing is a little abnormal this year for a number of reasons. As Beaufort’s first virtual intern, I’ve been whiling away the hours at home in the good old American South, rather than museum-hopping and coffeeshop-exploring in the Big Apple. While I very much wish that I could spend my summer in New York City, I know that everyone is having to make do with what they’ve got right now, and so I’m determined to make my experience with Beaufort an inspirational and meaningful one!

When I’m not shut away in my room, glued to my computer screen, I’m out and about shopping for books and making friends at my local bookshop/coffeeshop (a venue I worked at for years and still adore!). I also enjoy playing music with local musicians who are infinitely more talented than I am. We mostly stick to old Irish and American folk tunes, but we’ll occasionally bust out The Eagles or Simon and Garfunkel. I was a competitive Irish dancer for twelve years, and despite a semi-recent retirement from competition, I am avidly awaiting the day when we’ll once again be allowed to host St. Paddy’s Day festivals (it is, after all, the best holiday out of the whole year).

I am so excited to be interning with Beaufort! And hopefully I’ll make it up to the city for a week or two this summer, circumstances permitting. It’s a bucket-list dream of mine to be able to touch the Assyrian lamassu statues at the Met.

Cheers!

Lamorbeau

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

Iconic Women of Literature

Monday, March 9th, 2020

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’ve decided to reflect on some iconic female figures in literature. Each of these individuals offers her own interpretation of what it is to be a woman and provides us with valuable lessons that we can implement—even if just in little ways—into our everyday lives.

Jo March in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women

As one of the most popular coming-of-age stories to date, Little Women offers plenty of lessons in love, charity, and compassion. Jo March, the ‘boy’ of the group, adds a fourth and equally important value to the list: independence. Despite the expectations of women at the time, Jo happily pursues her career in writing and is in no rush to find a husband. She decides to transform Plumfield into a private school on her own and is never discouraged from chasing her dreams out of fear of appearing unladylike. Although Jo ultimately settles down with Professor Bhaer, she does so on her own terms, showing readers that women can maintain their independence no matter where their lives lead them.

Denver in Toni Morrison’s Beloved

While she is not the main character in Toni Morrison’s chilling novel, Denver is nonetheless an important one. Concerned by her mother’s deteriorating health and mental state, Denver leaves her home after twelve years of confinement to search for help. With no guidance and minimal education, Denver finds her old teacher, Lady Jones, and is not only able to return home with food and supplies but also find a job for herself. Denver’s strength is no small feat. She must defy her mother’s previous orders, venture out into the world without aid, and finally admit to Beloved’s malignancy—despite the fact that Denver believes she is her sister’s spirit—in order to save her mother’s life.

Jane Eyre in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre

Brontë’s Jane Eyre describes the hardships and struggles of the title character, an orphan brought up largely by her cruel aunt and an abusive headmaster. Jane exhibits admirable bravery throughout the book. From leaving Lowood to become a governess to fleeing Thornfield to returning to profess her undying love for Rochester, Jane constantly follows her instincts, even when she does not have an exact plan. Known for her iconic line, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me,” Jane Eyre offers a depiction of personal bravery that all people can emulate.

Maya Angelou in her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings recounts the countless instances of racism, trauma, and horror that Angelou endured throughout her young life. Despite such innumerable atrocities, Angelou’s memoir is a portrait of her own perseverance. She emerges stronger every step of the way, with a new lesson learned or another harsh reality accepted. In the end, Angelou depicts herself blossoming as a confident, young mother and a strong, driven woman.

Happy Women’s History Month! Until next time,

Charlotte Beaurontё

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

Somewhere old, something new

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

Hi readers!!

I’m one of the new interns for the next few months here at Beaufort and Spencer Hill! As a lover of music and dramatics, my nom-de-plume will be David Beauie. I’m super excited to learn about publishing and to share my experiences with y’all.

I’m originally from Texas, but I go to school here in New York to work my way into the publishing business. I’ve been an avid reader for almost my whole life, progressing from picture books to YA books to, currently, poetry and classic novels. For better or worse, I was definitely the kid in English class who actually liked every book I was forced to read.

Since living in New York, I find myself wandering into every bookstore I walk past, and I’ve been introduced to so many book experiences that I had no idea even existed. My sense of direction has definitely been refined since one of my favorite things to do is get on the subway and get off at a random stop to explore a new neighborhood. I’m hoping to discover even more places in New York this semester.

Next to reading, my other love is music. I’m always on the hunt for something new to listen to, and I try to see as many live shows as my budget allows. My family and friends would be shocked if they found me without a book or headphones in my possession.

I’m super excited to be here at Beaufort and Spencer Hill to learn everything I can about publishing, and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

See you soon,

David Beauie

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!

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.

A Book-Filled Weekend

Tuesday, October 1st, 2019

Cheers, readers! I’m Beaufort and Spencer Hill’s second intern for Fall 2019. For the remainder of the semester, I will be going by the alias Mia ThermoBEAUlis in honor of my all-time favorite author, Meg Cabot, and her most popular character to date. Growing up, Meg Cabot’s colorful, creative, and always slightly disheveled protagonists strongly resonated with me, and the fact that every Meg Cabot book I own has been read to the point of near destruction serves as proof.

It’s crazy to think I’m already approaching my 2-month mark since starting my internship with Beaufort and Spencer Hill. Fortunately, there have been plenty of exciting projects to keep me busy, which is why I’m just now getting to my introductory blog post.

While I’ve been an avid reader my entire life, I’m considerably new to the publishing world. With the exceptions of the Harry Potter series and a few classics by Roald Dahl, it always felt like I was the only book lover among my friends growing up. It wasn’t until I stepped into my first screenwriting class my freshman year of college that I knew what it was like to be among other eager storytellers.

Moving to New York feels like freshman year all over again. It’s been equally thrilling and terrifying to be surrounded by people who live and breathe books. I finally feel at home, but every day I’m in the Beaufort office brings new challenges and reminds me just how little I knew about the publishing industry before starting the internship.

I love that each day in the Beaufort office brings opportunities to learn something new about the publishing industry, and that indoctrination continued with a few book-related occurrences two weekends ago. On Friday, while in Philadelphia, I got lost on my way to dinner and wound up at an inconspicuous used bookstore. The storefront was unmarked and from the front room, it appeared to consist of just five bookshelves stuffed with old CD’s and dusty self-help titles. I was about to ask the store owner if he had any fiction books when I saw a small entryway that opened up to another tiny room that was packed with books. Each secret room led to another, with each room getting progressively bigger and home to more obscure titles, stacked wherever the owner could find space.

At the very back of the store was one bookshelf filled with antique books. For just $10, I grabbed three different antique books, each published in the 1920s. While any bookstore is great in my book (yes, pun intended), the challenge of searching through piles of pre-loved stories makes bookstores like the one in Philadelphia a rarity that should be preserved.

On that Sunday, I stopped by the Brooklyn Book Festival. If you’ve been before, you know how palpable the energy is among the authors, publishers, and festival attendees. Whether it was a Big 5 publisher, an indie from a small town in Minnesota, or a local bookstore from Brooklyn, each table was swarming with authors, publishers, booksellers, and devoted readers, all looking to discuss the transformations the publishing industry is undergoing and the new books about to hit the market. I even had the opportunity to stop by and say hello to some of the publishing professionals I’ve heard about while working at Beaufort. Going into the festival I had no idea what to expect, so to say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement.

If anything, this weekend reinforced my love for books and my desire to work in publishing. I can’t wait to see what the next few months with Beaufort and Spencer Hill bring!

Until next time,

Amelia Mignonette ThermoBEAUlis Renaldi, ~~Princess of Genovia~~ Intern at Beaufort Books.

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

Welcome to New York!

Friday, September 6th, 2019

Hello fellow book lovers!

I am the newest intern here at Beaufort Books & Spencer Hill Press! Over the next four months, you’ll be seeing periodic updates on the blog about my latest bookish adventures and NYC experiences. For this brief time as a blogger, I’ll be going full James Bond and using the alias of Captain Beaumerica (I am a Marvel fiend and cannot be stopped). I am so thrilled to share my thoughts, musings, and lessons learned with you all!

I think it is only appropriate that this first post serves as an introduction to myself. Below you’ll find a list of a few of my favorite things.

Favorite Book:

One thing to know about me? I will never lie to you. I have so many favorite books. I’m not a parent, but I imagine that choosing your favorite book is not unlike trying to choose your favorite child. For the sake of time and your sanity, I won’t list all my favorites, but here is my default:

Divergent by Veronica Roth – This book isn’t a groundbreaking novel with an ultra-diverse cast, nor is it an underrated gem that everyone will love, but as a lost middle schooler this book was exactly what I needed to read. It brought me comfort and guidance during that complicated time of adolescence. It was an influential book that shaped the rest of my school experience. I could talk for hours about the first book in this series and the injustice of the film adaptation, but instead I will just encourage you to read it for yourself. Come share in the heartache.

Favorite Movie:

This probably won’t come as a surprise, but I have several favorite movies… Here’s a few:

The Way Way Back – A coming-of-age story starring Steve Carrell and Toni Collette. This film is so heartwarming and emotional. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

The Truman Show – I love Jim Carey. He did a phenomenal job in this movie, but honestly, when does he not?

The Entire Marvel Cinematic Universe – Captain Marvel. Black Panther. Iron Man. Too many to name. I love them all with the passion of a thousand Suns.

Favorite Place:
In May of 2019, I spent two weeks in Southern Oregon and Northern California. They are easily my favorite places in the World. If I could hole up in the California Redwoods to write for the rest of my life, I absolutely would. These massive trees brought tears to my eyes and made me emotional in a way that I never thought trees could. I consider it a travesty that the Redwoods are not on the official Wonders of the World list.

Favorite Thing About NYC (so far):

The subway. I consider myself I great driver, but I highly dislike it. Not having to drive everyday is a blessing that I never want to lose. Also, the bookstores. So. Many. Bookstores.

That’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about me! I am so excited to be a part of the Beaufort team and interact with you via Beaufort social media. Check back soon for more updates!

Your Favorite Hero,

Captain Beaumerica

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