Meet Our Spring 2025 Interns!

If you’ve ever met one of our wonderful F(r)iction staffers, you’ll quickly learn that almost every one of them was once an intern in our Publishing Internship Program.

This program is run by our parent nonprofit organization, Brink Literacy Project. While our publishing internships are a great way to get a crash course in the literary industry, they can often provide a path to what can become a long and rewarding professional relationship. For more information, please visit the internship page on the Brink website.

Bea Basa

they/she

What is your favorite place to read?  

I’ll have to go with the everyman answer: my bedroom. Where, however, depends on the mood. Most of the time, I like to do a little “gargoyle-sit” on my desk chair—knees splayed against my chest and a grotesque hunch that only worsens the further I fall into a book. With nothing but my lamp as lighting, I look ripped straight from a flying buttress. 

In quieter hours I create an impromptu pillow fort. The lamp-lighting remains, though less “Gotham City” this time. I crank up my space heater, curl up all cat-like, and promptly sink into the denizens of sleep. Simple, but so cozy. There is truly no better feeling than relaxing with a book after a long day. 

You’re walking up the side of a mountain along a winding, wooded path. You look to your left and discover, by chance, a door in the side of the mountain. Do you open it, and if so, where does it lead?

I would, because the chance of adventure outweighs the fear of any dangerous beasts lurking within. So, I’d open the door to first reveal an ordinary-looking cavern pass. It winds and bends and tightens up near the end—but eventually, it’d lead to another door. I’d give it a tentative push, and I’d be greeted by a lush spring hidden inside the mountain. It’s illuminated only by slivers of sunlight. Wildflowers spill swathes of colors into the greenery, and a meandering stream nourishes the soil. In the center, a wise old oak surveys its domain from an islet, its roots reaching high and low. I pluck baby’s breath from the ground nearby, and set off to explore…or take a nice, long nap under the oak’s welcoming canopy. 

How do you take your coffee? If you don’t drink coffee, describe your favorite beverage ritual.   

This is nigh-blasphemous as a perpetually tired student, but I’ve never been a huge coffee enjoyer. Just never got the hype. I’ve tried weaning myself into the habit with many an iced mocha—all varying degrees of quality—but I just can’t get behind the bitterness. 

I do adore a soul-warming tea, however, and take it the same way regardless of flavor: with a generous squeeze of honey. If it’s black tea, I don’t skimp on the milk. But in general, I’m partial to jasmine green tea; it’s delicate, floral and utterly perfect when paired with manuka. 

(For any Irish people reading, Barry’s all the way.) 

What is your favorite English word and why? Do you have a favorite word in another language?  

I’m a big fan of Italian loan words adopted for music theory. “Staccato” feels like a pulsing heartbeat, while “adagio” takes its syllables soft and slow; I just love how they roll off the tongue. They’re also great for sprinkling a little musicality into aural descriptions. As for another language, I’ll go with “mo ghrá” (Gaeilge) and “mahal ko” (Tagalog). Both are words meaning “my love’”in the languages I grew up around. The simple, universal affection behind them cements them as favorites for me. 

You’re on a deserted island. You have one album and one book. What are they and why?   

For a book, I would choose Becky Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild-Built. The book reminds you that you don’t need to have everything figured out—that sometimes, simply living is enough. It’s thought-provoking without the heaviness that pervades most philosophy. I think I’d need that more than anything if I was alone and stranded. 

As for music? Respectfully, the first answer that came to mind was “Oh, god, don’t make me answer this”. I am terribly indecisive about music. My taste is on the heavier side—grungy, (post-)punk, alternative nonsense—but I don’t think it’d ease any of the fears that come with being stranded. So, I’ll turn to a genre I love equally as much: folk. I believe the acoustic guitar has a sort of healing power, and I’d want my castaway soundtrack to be grounding and hopeful. What immediately comes to mind, then, is Big Thief’s Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You. To me, this album is like an eclectic blend of tea: an ensemble of flavor profiles that warm the soul in perfect harmony. Adrianne Lenker is truly spectacular.  

If you could change one thing about the literary industry, what would it be?  

The level of accessibility to individuals from marginalized communities. For an industry dedicated to sharing stories, too many voices are left unheard. 

As part of the Filipino diaspora in Ireland, I grew up surrounded by literature I’ve loved, but never truly felt represented by. Even now, I find there is little effort made in promoting minority authors beyond BookTok romantasy. There is far too much focus on what is “marketable,” and I firmly believe the issue of literary trend-hopping goes hand-in-hand with a lack of diversity. Of course there is the occasional sleeper hit—that is, when a book diverges completely from these trends—but I find those are few and far between. We should not have to adhere to current trends and water down our creative ideas in order to have our voices heard. 

While I do acknowledge that things are far better than they were, there is always work to be done in uplifting these communities. More efforts should be made in allowing them to bring their perspectives to light through story. 

Bekah Bahn-Crownover

she/her

What is your favorite place to read?   

Honestly, anywhere and everywhere! Under the covers late at night, by the windows of my favorite coffee shop, on the couch snuggling with my two cats—you name it. However, one place that recently became one of my favorites is in the car, reading a book out loud to my husband during our commute home from work and school. It’s so fun getting to see his reactions to things!

You’re walking up the side of a mountain along a winding, wooded path. You look to your left and discover, by chance, a door in the side of the mountain. Do you open it, and if so, where does it lead? 

As an inquisitive Ravenclaw, I feel compelled to open the door. But before I do, I check around and do my research to make sure it isn’t a trap. Once I know that it is indeed safe, I open the door and discover the door functions as a changing portal, granting me access to any and every fictional realm I have ever read about. Yay!

How do you take your coffee? If you don’t drink coffee, describe your favorite beverage ritual.   

I love coffee; it is currently getting me through the very last stretch of my master’s program. While I start each morning with a cup (or two or three), one of my favorite things is trying new coffee flavors, especially the fun seasonal drinks at the cute little coffee shop I have here in Tea, SD. I tend to gravitate towards sweet cream cold brews, however, with my current fixation being an Irish cream cold brew.  

What is your favorite English word and why? Do you have a favorite word in another language? 

The first word that comes to mind is “ethereal.” With my background in music, I find myself continually fascinated by how written lines sound when spoken, and how storytelling can serve as its own form of beautiful music. The sound of “ethereal” off the tongue—with dreamy, repeating vowels and soft, whispering consonances—seems to embody its own meaning, creating atmosphere just in its own unique combination of syllables. How cool is that!

You’re on a deserted island. You have one album and one book. What are they and why?   

Wow, I love these questions! While I am currently enamored with Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ EPIC: The Musical, a concept album following the story of The Odyssey, I would have to choose the album Out of the Ashes by the USD Chamber Singers. I know this may sound a bit strange, but just wait—there is indeed a method to my madness. Out of the Ashes is an album that my college choir recorded and dedicated to the resilience and perseverance of music and hope through the tragedies faced during the COVID pandemic. This album not only holds an extremely special place in my heart but also contains a wide range of long and vocally challenging acapella choir songs, each with eight-part harmonies, and some sung in Italian or Latin. Thus, being bored out of my mind on a deserted island, I could bide my time with re-memorizing each of the songs and then learning each of the eight harmony parts. It would keep me entertained for quite a bit.

I follow a similar train of thought for the book I would choose; while not necessarily one of my all-time favorite books, I would bring Moby Dick with me to the island. That book is so rife with cultural and historical allusions, motifs, and philosophical and metaphysical debates that I am sure I could read it quite a few more times and get something different out of it every single read. I would also have plenty of extra time being stranded to track and take note of all the different patterns Melville engages with, such as the recurring Shakespearean tragedy references and the subtle shifts in narrative perspective. I’ve been meaning to find the time for an in depth reread anyway!

If you could change one thing about the literary industry, what would it be?

In addition to the industry’s ongoing struggle with accessibility for underrepresented voices, I’ve been feeling the emphasis on marketability in publishing is starting to stifle original, authentic storytelling. This pressure to cater to what’s popular seems to be leading to formulaic, predictable narratives that miss the emotional depth truly great stories bring, especially in some of the popular genres right now. In chasing trends, we run the risk of losing the raw, unique voices that make literature so meaningful and long-lasting. Wow, I didn’t mean to get so deep, but thanks for asking!

Hannah Majid

she/her

What is your favorite place to read?   

My armchair, but if I could be anywhere in the world, I’d read at the beach. The last time I went on holiday was in the off-season, and I had the entire beach to myself. It was so refreshing and calming to simply sit there and read, with nothing but the sound of the waves and not a single care in the world.

You’re walking up the side of a mountain along a winding, wooded path. You look to your left and discover, by chance, a door in the side of the mountain. Do you open it, and if so, where does it lead? 

You would not catch me hiking up a mountain! But if I stumbled upon a mysterious door, I’d definitely open it. And I’d love for it to lead to The Night Circus. I would head straight to the wishing tree and explore all the different tents. I’d love to get lost in the magic, and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d want to be!

How do you take your coffee? If you don’t drink coffee, describe your favorite beverage ritual.  

I’m not a huge coffee drinker, so my go-to drink will always be a chocolate milkshake—preferably a Ferrero Rocher one. Topped with whipped cream of course! 

What is your favorite English word and why? Do you have a favorite word in another language?   

My favorite word is midding, an obscure term for the feeling of being near a gathering but not quite in it, like resting your eyes in the back seat of a car listening to friends chatting up front—essentially experiencing the excitement of being present without the weight of needing to participate.

You’re on a deserted island. You have one album and one book. What are they and why?   

This is a tough one! I’d pick The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. It’s so layered, and I think that every time I’d reread it I would find something new, whether that’s some foreshadowing or a deeper understanding of the characters.

As for music, this might be heinous for some, but I’m not a huge music lover! I’ll occasionally listen, but I don’t have strong favorites. That said, the only album that has recently wowed me is Raye’s My 21st Century Blues. It’s so raw and different to anything I’ve recently listened to—she’s so underrated!

If you could change one thing about the literary industry, what would it be?  

Having more entry-level opportunities (which includes internships) outside of central publishing hubs, which for me is London. Having the opportunity to complete work remotely would be life-changing, and can open up the industry to many people who can’t afford to move (which is a major reason I’m so thankful to Brink!). There’s so much untapped talent beyond the major cities, and it’s time the industry reflected that.

Lani McHenry

she/her

What is your favorite place to read?   

I love reading in the hammock on my front porch. I can lose myself in a book while listening to soothing bird songs and basking in the beauty of the magnolia tree growing in my front yard. 

You’re walking up the side of a mountain along a winding, wooded path. You look to your left and discover, by chance, a door in the side of the mountain. Do you open it, and if so, where does it lead?  

I would most definitely walk through it…for the plot, of course! And it’s definitely just another portal to Narnia; maybe it’s my turn to be queen.  

How do you take your coffee? If you don’t drink coffee, describe your favorite beverage ritual.    

I’m not a coffee fan…it’s not my cup of tea. My cup of tea is mint flavored with honey, served hot, of course!   

What is your favorite English word and why? Do you have a favorite word in another language?   

Ambivalence is my favorite word because, as a writer, I find solace in embracing the tension of opposing truths. The world is rarely just black and white—characters and stories, like real life, are complex and multifaceted. I love contradictions; people themselves are full of them, and that paradox is what makes us human. To live fully is to hold space for both certainty and doubt, love and resentment, who we are and who we are not. Once you learn to coexist with contradiction, life becomes richer—and writing becomes a whole lot more fun.   

You’re on a deserted island. You have one album and one book. What are they and why?   

If I could bring one album to a deserted island, it would be Dance Fever by Florence + the Machine, easily my most-played record since its release in 2023. Her music and lyricism are empowering to my femininity. Her songs awaken the untamed, wild woman within me, which I’d love to embrace during my time on a deserted island. For a book, I would choose The Midnight Library by Matt Haig because it gave me a fresh perspective on my life choices. Having this book with me would serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement, reminding me that there are an endless number of possibilities that life still has to offer—especially as I contemplate the choices that led to me being stranded on this island. 

If you could change one thing about the literary industry, what would it be? 

I would love to see the inclusion of more writers from diverse and underrepresented communities in fantasy, sci-fi, and surrealist genres. While there are so many incredible works by LGBTQ+ authors and authors of color that bring much-needed diversity to literature, there’s definitely room for more. Creating space and fostering acceptance for these voices is especially crucial in today’s political landscape. Representation holds immense power, but there’s even more power in ensuring that those stories are read and shared.

Melissa Paulsen

she/her

What is your favorite place to read?   

My favorite place to read is on the living room recliner next to my miniature poodle pal, Delilah.

You’re walking up the side of a mountain along a winding, wooded path. You look to your left and discover, by chance, a door in the side of the mountain. Do you open it, and if so, where does it lead? 

I open the door and find a glowing portal. Inside the portal there are three pathways with each leading to a different pet dragon to adopt. The first is a black and yellow dragon the size of a black bear with bioluminescent scales and a mound of books. The second dragon is red with blue stripes and fits inside my palm. The final dragon is the size of a skyscraper, wears a fedora and a pair of glasses, and has golden scales, violet eyes, and a beard made of clouds. I choose the book dragon to inspire my writing.

How do you take your coffee? If you don’t drink coffee, describe your favorite beverage ritual.  

I take my coffee with vanilla-flavored liquid creamer from Coffee-mate. I also like the vanilla-cinnamon or peppermint mocha flavors. My go-to order from a café is a vanilla latte with oat milk.

What is your favorite English word and why? Do you have a favorite word in another language?   

My favorite English word is pandemonium because it describes chaos and reminds me of silly panda videos. My favorite word in another language is the Spanish word for “poodle” which is “caniche.” 

You’re on a deserted island. You have one album and one book. What are they and why?   

The album I have is U2’s Songs of Innocence and the book I have is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabba Tahir. I chose Songs of Innocence because of its poetic lyrics and different tones of music, such as the song “Sleep Like a Baby Tonight” for relaxing or “Volcano” for when I need a pump-up song. Sabaa Tahir’s Ember in the Ashes is the first book in my favorite series and would not only provide a good source of entertainment but also remind me of humanity’s resilience.

If you could change one thing about the literary industry, what would it be?  

The one thing I would change about the literary industry is to remove the false sense of scarcity that can be associated with it by allowing everyone to share their stories. There would be no more rejections. Instead, every writer would have one-on-one feedback opportunities with an editor to continuously revise and publish their stories as a process rather than an all or nothing approach.