Intern Spotlight

Intern Spotlights: Week 4, Wrap-Up

Superstition Review
Where are they now?

We are so proud of our past and present staff here at Superstition Review, and we’ve decided to celebrate the accomplishments of our past interns throughout the month of April. Each day, we will feature an intern on social media and share what they’re up to now. Then, at the end of each week, we will share a wrap-up post of all our featured interns from that week. So, without further ado, we present our last week of intern spotlights:

1. Leah Newsom: Interview Editor, Issue 15 (Spring 2015) and Issue 16 (Fall 2015)

April 24: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Leah on LinkedIn

Leah NewsomMore details: Leah shares, “Since graduating with my BA in Creative Writing, I got an amazing job working as a content developer for a boutique design group called Monomyth Studio. I also returned to ASU as an MFA candidate in fiction (and am just now rounding out my first year). I still run Spilled Milk Magazine, an online literary magazine featuring brief prose and poetry. It’s great to continue engaging with my literary community outside of the university, and to work with friends (now across the country!) on such an ambitious project. It’s hard to say what it is I love about what I do. I obviously feel very compelled to write and to read and to talk about writing and reading, but I am still figuring out why. I probably will always be figuring it out. I think, in a way, this curiosity—this ignorance—is a necessary thing. I need the surprise of a beautiful sentence, the wonder of a unique image. I probably wouldn’t be writing, otherwise.”

2. Brianna Perkins: Social Networker, Issue 9 (Spring 2012)

April 25: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Bri on LinkedIn

Bri PerkinsMore details: Bri shares, “My life has deviated quite a bit from that ‘master life plan’ that I created back in 2012, and to be honest, I’m glad it did. I found it is far more exciting to sit back and enjoy the twists and turns in the road than try to make it fit this unrealistic image my crazy 20-year-old brain had concocted. I packed my bags, said goodbye to the Arizona desert, and moved to Massachusetts. In the years since, I’ve traveled through Europe with just a pair of worn out sneakers and a backpack, bought a house, knocked down a few walls, and met some amazing people.  Not long after my big move, I started at Springfield College in a position that was the college’s response to the wild growth of an unpredictable monster: technology. As we all know, technology changes faster than that banana on your kitchen counter turns brown. In this role, it is my job to stay ahead of the curve as best as I can. It is one part fortune teller, one part inventor, and one part translator. I create new ways to integrate engaging and immersive technologies in a way that not only makes sense, but is meaningful. I learned quickly how to translate from Techie to actual English. It has made me every relative’s favorite person and I’m sure I’m on the speed dial for more than a handful of grandparents (none of which are my own). I started doing outreach and communications for IT. I launched a YouTube channel for training and development. I started doing workshops for faculty, staff, and students. The role has grown exponentially. Springfield College recognized that there is this emerging need for creating technology literacy and as of May 1st, I’ll be pioneering yet another new position: Learning and Development Coordinator. This position will give me the time I need to provide development and training opportunities to staff, faculty, and students in a language that makes sense to them and in a way that makes technology seem a little less intimidating (and dare I say it fun).

“In my spare time, I do quite a bit of consulting. I’m currently on a one-year contract with Springfield Technical Community College as an Outreach and Technology Coordinator where I’m working with their Supplemental Instruction team to launch their own YouTube channel and outreach programs. I’ve designed catering menus for local restaurants, logos for new initiatives, and even jumpstarted a few marketing campaigns and social networking strategies. Even Arizona State University couldn’t get rid of me; from time to time I work as a voice actor for some of their systems. Fun fact: if you call any phone line at Arizona State with an automated phone menu, it is my voice you’re hearing.  I’d tell you my future plans, but as I’ve learned, I can plan all I want, but life has its own trajectory. All I know is that the time I spent has Superstition Review has been absolutely vital in getting me where I am and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had while there. I’m so proud to see how far it has come and I can’t wait to see what is next for the SR family.”

3. Katie McCoach: Fiction Editor, Issue 6 (Fall 2010)

April 26: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Katie on LinkedIn

Katie McCoachMore details: Katie shares, “When I finally realized that I could be my own boss and do story editing (not even copy editing!) all day long, I knew that nothing else would be as fulfilling. I opened KM Editorial, LLC in 2012 with not a client to my name. But since then I’ve grown my business to be a stopping ground for many authors in need of all levels of editing. I have a whole team behind me now. I love what I do. It’s funny sometimes when I consider the fact that I dole out criticism for a living. But it’s so rewarding. I get to work with authors all day long and help them create fabulous stories. I see them grow as writers. It’s amazing to see my collection of clients’ books fill my bookshelf. But honestly, even better than that is when I get that email from an author saying, ‘I’m so excited to dive into revisions!'”

4. Cassie Tolman: Poetry Editor, Issue 1 (Spring 2008)

April 27: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Cassie on LinkedIn

Cassie TolmanMore details: Cassie is a creative entrepreneur who owns Pomegranate Cafe (vegan/vegetarian, organic, locally sourced, crafted with love) in Phoenix, AZ. She shares, “There are so many opportunities to express myself and share ideas through writing as a business owner.  I am currently creating an Indie Gogo campaign to help fund our expansion, and being able to write with authenticity and heart is essential to sharing our mission and creating community.  I also use freestyle writing/journaling as a daily practice to connect with my dreams and the quiet world around me.  I see words like imaginary seeds we plant that can grow off the page into wild and beautiful gardens with a life of their own.  Being part of the Superstition Review when it first began was an exciting, new experience for me.  I feel really fortunate to have been a small part of the beginning of a dream that has now taken shape and enriched the lives of so many people!”

5. Caitlin Keniston: Nonfiction Editor, Issue 9 (Spring 2012)

April 28: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Caitlin on LinkedIn

Caitlin KenistonMore details: Caitlin shares, “After graduating from ASU, I applied to every publication company I could find in the Phoenix area. I was lucky to be hired by Target Market Media Publications, a national publisher of trade magazines. As the editor, I work with our clients, writers and proofreaders to get each of our magazines ready for publication. I learned a lot in college, but it does not compare to the experience of working in the field. I feel blessed to have found a career in writing and editing. While it’s partly luck and good timing, I also think you need to have a certain drive to make it actually work.”

6. Dominique Brigham: Art Editor, Issue 11 (Spring 2013)

April 30: Facebook announcement, find Dominique on LinkedIn

Dominique BrighamMore details: Dominique is a graduate student at the University of Amsterdam in the Cultural Analysis research MA program. She shares, “As the student Art Editor of Superstition Review, I had the wonderful opportunity of putting all my time spent learning about art in Florence to good use! While I did my BA in English literature, I loved being able to branch out into a different discipline, and Superstition Review gave me that opportunity. Currently, I am writing my thesis for my Master’s in Cultural Analysis at the Universiteit van Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where I’ve enjoyed a fantastic and interdisciplinary program with fellow international students. My research deals with adaptation and translation theory, centered around the Pokémon franchise and Pokémon: The First Movie in particular, and I hope to pursue a PhD on how transmedia storytelling has impacted the way popular franchises are built now and for the future. In time not spent on academic work, however, I am a volunteer proofreader for WordFire Inc. and a freelance copyeditor, though I would like to turn this into a more permanent career. I am also co-authoring a four book fantasy series, which will hopefully see its first query letters being sent to various publishing companies in the near future!”

Thank you so much to these interns for their service with us; you are all doing such amazing things, and we’re so proud!

Intern Spotlights: Week 3, Wrap-Up

Superstition Review
Where are they now?

We are so proud of our past and present staff here at Superstition Review, and we’ve decided to celebrate the accomplishments of our past interns throughout the month of April. Each day, we will feature an intern on social media and share what they’re up to now. Then, at the end of each week, we will share a wrap-up post of all our featured interns from that week. So, without further ado…

1. Heidi Nielson: Fiction Editor, Issue 4 (Fall 2009)

April 16: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Heidi on LinkedIn

Heidi NielsonMore details: Heidi shares, “Since serving as Fiction Editor at Superstition Review, I’ve explored a couple careers, and finally landed on the law. I am currently a Staff Attorney in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, D.C. In a probably surprising way, my experience at Superstition Review and studying English in undergrad really prepared me for law school and my current job. The GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. For my job, I frequently conduct legal research, read reports, statutes, and case law, analyze this information, edit, and help draft the reports to Congress that GAO creates. My experience at Superstition Review helped me develop all of these skills. What I love most about my current job is the ability to work in both policy and law and to work on exciting topics that are in the news. I also am happy that my job provides me with great work-life balance (for the legal field) and enables to me still pursue my creative passions. Outside of work, I’m currently obsessed with painting and have been exploring different styles and mediums on my Instagram account (@ccl.creative). Superstition Review was such a great experience for me in college and has really propelled me forward creatively and in my career.”

2. Sarah Murray: Fiction Editor, Issue 9 (Spring 2012)

April 18: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Sarah on LinkedIn

Sarah MurrayMore details: Sarah shares, “I received my MA last year from UC Davis’ Creative Writing Program, and since then I have been writing, working on some stories and poems, I’ve been teaching writing to elementary students, and I’ve been working with Fairy Tale Review as one of their associate digital editors. We just started accepting online submissions for the first time, so I’ve been working a lot on that. Exciting stuff! It is, quite honestly, a dream come true to be working with them; my graduate thesis was on Mexican fairy tales, and I have been obsessed with their publication since I was at ASU. Teaching also has been a dream of mine, longer even than writing, and so it’s a bit unbelievable that here I am, working with kids, and sharing a skill to which I feel so intimately attached. I still do a lot of volunteer work too, with 826LA and with AIDS Walk in both Los Angeles and San Francisco (if you see me at one of the walks, come say hi! I’m usually the one in the bright red lipstick behind the info booth). Right now I am based in Los Angeles again, after bouncing between here and San Francisco, and then living in Davis. Who knows where’s next?”

3. Mai-Quyen Nguyen: Fiction Editor, Issue 10 (Fall 2012) and Issue 11 (Spring 2013)

April 20: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Mai-Quyen on LinkedIn

Mai-Quyen NguyenMore details: Mai-Quyen is currently an editor at Isagenix. She shares, “After serving as a fiction editor for Superstition Review, I was a writer intern at Isagenix, a health and wellness company. Originally, I supported the marketing and sales teams by interviewing our distributors, writing and editing their success stories, and helping to create content for a contact management system. From interning through the summer until I graduated from ASU in 2014, my passion for editing evolved. Although I hold a B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing and a B.S. in technical communication and still love to write, I’ve always loved editing, too. Isagenix hired me full time as a junior editor, and I assisted my senior editor with copyediting and proofreading (and creating, when needed) copy for our corporate blog, websites, print and digital publications, press releases, and sales and marketing tools and flyers. One year later, I was promoted to editor and gained additional responsibilities, including reviewing emails we send out to the field and all of our product labels for our international markets for grammar, accuracy, and spelling, being the final eye as a proofreader for a majority of the content we produce, and creating and maintain a weekly internal newsletter. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to events in California, Texas, and Canada to edit and proof all the slides and presentations for training and recognition that we provide for our distributors and customers. Attending events and seeing firsthand the success and gratitude of our distributors fulfills me. When I first started ASU, I was pursuing a nursing degree, but I switched over to English because of my love of writing and reading. I’ve always wanted to help people in some way, and are one of the most powerful tools we can use to positively benefit other people’s lives. I hope to publish fiction of my own one day, but for now, I’ve achieved one of my dreams: helping people by editing and providing content they can use, which leads them to helping others.”

Thank you so much to these interns for their service with us; you are all doing such amazing things, and we’re so proud!

Intern Spotlights: Week 1, Wrap-Up

Superstition Review
Where are they now?

We are so proud of our past and present staff here at Superstition Review, and we’ve decided to celebrate the accomplishments of our past interns throughout the month of April. Each day, we will feature an intern on social media and share what they’re up to now. Then, at the end of each week, we will share a wrap-up post of all our featured interns from that week. So, without further ado…

1. Kelly Vo: Fiction Editor, Issue 1 (Spring 2008)

April 1: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Kelly on LinkedIn

Kelly VoMore details: Kelly is currently the CEO of Kevo Writing (May 2015), her own firm, where she is also a freelance writer. She shares, “I love working for myself and doing something that I love. Writing has been a passion of mine since I was a kid, and now I get to write full time, which is something I never thought would happen. Even better, I run my own company and clients, so I can take the jobs that I want and keep the clients that I love. When I first decided to start Kevo Writing, I was terrified out of my mind. I had no idea if I could freelance and run a company on my own. I’m an introvert, and the idea of finding my own clients was horrifying, to say the least. Thankfully, I didn’t let the fear stop me, but that didn’t mean it was easy. It took a while to get started. I spent a month building my website and writing free articles to make a name for myself, but about three months into it, things started to come together. I got a few clients and started to get more. Now, I have a full list of clients who keep me busy and supplied with coffee and books. I write everything from news stories for MBA candidates to business e-books, magazine articles for the marijuana industry, social media content for a leading personality, and everything in between. Recently, I just wrote an article on getting rid of wrinkles! It’s an interesting job that always keeps me on my toes. I spend a lot of time researching topics and then crafting pieces that fit my clients’ needs. And, since I work for myself, I’m also able to dedicate a few hours every day to personal writing. I’ve been working on an Urban Fantasy novel, that I hope to (eventually) send out to book agents and publishers. I just have to finish it first. 🙂 That’s the thing I love best about being a freelance writer, the freedom to pursue my own dreams.”

2. Megan Richmond: Art Editor, Issue 13 (Spring 2014)

April 2: Twitter and Facebook announcements

Megan Richmond

More details: Megan shares, “Since graduating from ASU and finishing my internship with SR I’ve applied my BFA and magazine experience in two different jobs. I work at the Heard Museum as the E-Commerce Administrator where I am in charge of running their online shop as well as photographing Native American art for digital and print marketing for the museum shop. My images have been used for shop ads in the AZ Republic, Native American Art magazine, First American Art magazine and the Heard Museum magazine, Earthsong. My second job is a seasonal photographer position for a portrait company called PortraitEFX. With them, I primarily work weekends photographing youth sports leagues, weddings, school photos, etc.”

3. Dustin Diehl: Nonfiction Editor, Issue 4 (Fall 2009)

April 3: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Dustin on LinkedIn

Dustin DiehlMore details: Dustin is currently working as a Senior Editor and Content Strategist at Casual Astronaut, a local content marketing agency. He shares, “I also write freelance editorial content for several online newspapers and magazines, keeping my creative juices flowing! I love that I get to work with words for a living. Actually using my English literature and creative writing degree (and the skills I gathered during my time as an editor for the Superstition Review) makes me feel very fortunate; not everyone gets that opportunity! Helping people create content, tell their stories and encourage action keeps the day job interesting and fulfilling.”

4. Ofelia Montelongo: Student Editor-in-Chief, Issue 17 (Fall 2016)

April 4: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Ofelia on LinkedIn

More details: Ofelia shares, “I’m still a freelance writer for different magazines, Phoenix New Times, So Scottsdale and freelance blogger for Phoenix Magazine. I also teach Spanish and do some translations and I also just got accepted in the PhD Spanish – Mexican American studies at ASU.” Ofelia is also writing her first novel, Almost a Pilgrim, and she has her own business in Scottsdale, Arizona (Chocolate Tour of Scottsdale) – yum!

5. ChristiAnne Lunsford: Poetry Editor, Issue 10 (Fall 2012) and Issue 11 (Spring 2013)

April 5: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find ChristiAnne on LinkedIn

ChristiAnne LunsfordMore details: ChristiAnne is a copywriter and social media manager. She shares, “I write blogs and website content and manage social profiles for small business owners across multiple industries. A lot of my work revolves around search engine optimization but I also write a fair amount of creative content as well. My goal for this upcoming year is to expand my business and take on additional staff members. I love the challenges and flexibility that come with my role. I can work anywhere that I have to access to wifi which makes traveling and visiting home easy. I work independently which means it’s up to me to make sure everything gets completed on time and to the client’s standards, but I also get to be creative and exercise a fair amount of autonomy. It’s also my responsibility to stay current with digital marketing trends and advancements. I also love that I get to learn about so many unique trades and industries and that I get the opportunity to know my clients on a personal level.”

6. Riki Meier: Fiction Editor, Issue 4 (Fall 2009)

April 6: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Riki on LinkedIn

Riki MeierMore details: Riki shares, “A lot has happened since interning as Fiction Editor at Superstition Review. Artistically, I’ve gained an MA in English & Creative Writing and I continue to write fiction. Professionally, I am now working as an internal auditor at Harvard University. Even though my current academic degrees aren’t related to business or accounting, I found the key to success is having a love of learning and a curious mind. I love that I am always learning in my job. One week, I could learn about Athletics, and the next I could be in a scientific lab or a museum. Each project is different and I get to interact with people in all areas and in all levels across Harvard, so I am continually learning and growing. Before I go to my day job at Harvard, I teach English on a one-to-one basis to children in China over the Internet. I find it incredibly fun and rewarding, as the children are adorable and I am learning so much about culture in China. Additionally, teaching ESL forces you to look critically at the language you use and at the nuances of meaning. I’d like to think it’s making me a better writer as a bonus!”

7. Colleen Stinchcombe: Social Networker, Issue 11 (Spring 2013)

April 7: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Colleen on LinkedIn

Colleen StinchcombeMore details: Colleen most recently worked as Community Editor at SheKnows Media. She shares, “I’ve worked at SheKnows for just over three years. I started off as the Sponsored Content Editor, which I loved because it was fun to try to find the right balance between what clients wanted in order to promote their products and what the editorial team knew was good content that would perform. Then I became the Community Editor, which shifted my focus to be about helping fledgling writers or people who were working to promote their business or passions find their footing in digital media. That feels very meaningful. That said, I’ve turned in my resignation letter at SheKnows in order to take on a completely different adventure – hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this April. It will be five months straight of hiking from Mexico to Canada. I’ve been immensely grateful to have found career opportunities after leaving college (especially as a Creative Writing major!), but I feel the need to shake things up for myself. I don’t know yet what I’ll do when I return. That’s both exciting and terrifying.” Colleen will be documenting her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail on her website and on Instagram.

8. Sarah Brady: Blogger, Issue 14 (Fall 2014)

April 8: Twitter and Facebook announcements, find Sarah on LinkedIn

Sarah BradyMore details: She shares, “Even before I graduated with my English Lit degree about a year ago, I knew I wanted to try working for myself. This is something I think most writers/creators want, because we have a hard time fitting our artistic minds into rigid boxes. I currently own my own freelance writing business, Key Rat Creative, and work from home. I’d already been freelancing on the side for a company blog during my senior year, while also finishing up my thesis and working at Make-A-Wish as an intern. I think the biggest thing I learned about myself through school and in-person internships was that traffic road rage and the 9-5 might actually kill me. So I knew I would have to at least try to create a sustainable career that enabled me to live as healthily as possible. I got most of my initial clients through my mother’s connections. Funny enough, she’s a dentist who knows many dental professionals/dental organizations who need copywriting. Leverage what you got, right? I’ve branched out to using freelance matching services like Upwork and have found amazing clients in the PR/marketing realm through that platform. Honestly, what I like most about my profession is the freedom it gives me in other aspects of my life. My true passion is creative writing, but writing in general is what I’m good at, so running my own business that draws on my degree and ancillary interests is self-affirming. I love that I don’t have to set an alarm and that I can live by the natural rhythm of my mind. There’s no ‘running out the clock’ because my salary is defined by completing projects, rather than filling up a certain amount of hours in the day (boredom is my worst nemesis). I can write for myself in the morning, exercise mid-day when everyone else is tied to a desk, actually prepare a real meal, and then spend my afternoon on tasks for Key Rat Creative. I’m still growing a client base and receiving support while I’m in this transitional period, but the most important thing is that I’m not giving up on this dream while I’m young and independent. If I have to get a “real” job someday, I’ll know I gave myself the opportunity to construct my own terms. The hardest part about my career is the unpredictability of the work (and the fact that a lot of people online think $5 for 500 words is reasonable, or expect writers to be experts in the subject, rather than the craft), but that’s also the wonderful thing about it too. I used to think having a lot of money would equate to happiness, but honestly, these quiet hours with my computer and being able to make my own rules are crucial to my personal well being.”

Thank you so much to these interns for their service with us; you are all doing such amazing things, and we’re so proud!