For the last 96 years, Simon and Schuster has worked tirelessly to publish different titles and open up doors for writers across the United States. As of 2016 they were the third largest publisher in the United States publishing 2,000 titles a year, and we are proud to say that we had an Emerson College student there as an intern navigating the world of publishing.
Brittany Adames (she/her/hers) is a Writing, Literature, Publishing with a minor in Marketing Communications that will graduate this Fall. This past summer, Brittany worked as an intern for Simon and Schuster under senior editor Michelle Herrera Mulligan and associate editor Melanie Iglesias. We reached out to Brittany to find out more about her time at Simon and Schuster.
How did you find out about this opportunity and what drew you to it?
Brittany: “I began applying to editorial internships in Spring 2020 while I was spending the semester in Los Angeles. I would search endlessly on job search websites, including LinkedIn, Indeed, and inserting specific keywords on Twitter until I stumbled upon the Simon and Schuster (S&S) application. As someone who wants to go into the writing industry, I am always looking for opportunities that will broaden my editorial scope. S&S was an ambitious goal of mine; after applying to other big publishing houses the year prior, I trusted my own professional development and strength enough to apply again.”
What were some of your responsibilities during your internship?
Brittany: “I worked in the Atria Books imprint and vetted staff projects, focusing on authors like Catherine Hernandez, Koa Beck, and Paula Stone Williams, among others; I also read manuscript submissions in both Spanish and English and relayed feedback to editors… I drafted flap copy, tip sheets, and blurb request letters; I also researched and compiled competitive title data and authors for blurb requests.”
What are you most proud of that you accomplished during this internship?
Brittany: “I wrote the blurb for Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez, which received a lot of praise from both Catherine and the editorial director of the imprint. I know it’s small, and no one will ever know that an intern wrote the back description while sitting at her dilapidated desk, but it’s an accomplishment that I can always carry with me.”
What advice do you have for people interested in this internship or similar opportunities?
Brittany: “The thing that is most important is embracing your love for literature and showing your commitment to better the industry. Most places want to see that you’re eager and ready to learn, so be sure to reach out to potential employers and schedule informational interviews. Also, start having a good sense of what you like to read, your favorite books, and what the market looks like. These are all important questions waiting in an employer’s back pocket.”
How has it been working with Michelle Herrera Mulligan and Melanie Iglesias?
Brittany: “I loved working with them. Their drive and passion to diversify the publishing house was invigorating and refreshing. They cared deeply about nourishing my understanding of their jobs and the publishing industry as a whole.”
