“Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.”
from Shirley by Charlotte Brontë
One of the many ways Yellow Arrow Publishing encourages women writers and women in publishing is through inclusion within the organization itself. We welcome (and thrive with) our volunteers and interns, not only for our own benefit but to also (hopefully) provide a prospective future publisher with some necessary tools and knowledge about the publishing world. And even if a volunteer/intern does not plan to continue within the publishing world, the tools and knowledge of working in a women-led, collaborative organization. One that champions the different and the unique. One that looks for partners and allies rather than simple connections (see our growing list of partners here).
It would be impossible to organize, create, and publish without the incredible help of our volunteer staff and interns. They provide the thought process behind each journal by picking each issue’s theme and reading/voting on each submitted piece. They then read through the chosen submissions and edit them carefully and thoughtfully, not to change the voice of the author but to ensure that the voice flourishes. They provide continuous feedback and proofread the final product before release. And the same goes for our published chapbooks; the process of forming something for publication is thoughtfully long but fulfilling, nonetheless.
We try to find each volunteer, each intern, space in our organization to grow and flourish in the area they are most interested in (and of course where we need the most help!). Past staff members have worked at our live events and at Yellow Arrow House. They hand bound our publications and put as much love and tenderness into each copy as we could hope. Now that we are a mostly virtual publishing company, they focus on copyediting and proofreading as well as writing blogs and press releases. They create promotional material and images for our authors and create marketing campaigns. They help at live and virtual events and readings. And above all else, they support. Not only the Yellow Arrow team but our authors as well. I am so thankful to have had them with me on this journey.
So let’s introduce the spring 2024 interns. Each has our appreciation.
Amaya Lambert
Program Management Intern
From Baltimore, Maryland
What do you do? I am an intern for program management alongside the executive director, Annie Marhefka. I assist in the management and assessment of Yellow Arrow’s programs, including social media content, workshops, and events.
Where do you go to school? I go to school at Towson University. I am a senior and will be graduating May 23th.
What are you currently working on? I am working on completing my English and creative writing degree at Towson. I am still in the planning stage for my novels but have a goal of drafting one of them during the summer! Besides that, I am spending time with my sisters, playing video games, and listening to new music.
Amaya Lambert is a reader, writer, and storyteller. There’s nothing more that she loves than stories with profound messages and themes written in fantastical backgrounds. She likes to describe her writing genre as fantasy and introspection combined, a story that makes one think and dazzles them with an intricate world. You can find Amaya on Instagram @mayamackenziee.
Her future plans after graduation is to start a career in social media marketing while working on her books. Also, Amaya plans to sign up for some summer internships and a program for those who are interested in working in publishing. She wants to make a stable income to support herself and her family.
Why did you choose an internship with Yellow Arrow?
I chose this internship because I like the values of Yellow Arrow, especially their commitment to women-identifying and marginalized voices. While working here, I’ve discovered a passion for reading poetry and creative nonfiction, and how people are comfortable sharing their stories because they’ve fostered a safe space for them. As I explore the industry, I am often confused as it is contingent on female-presenting voices and yet suppresses them. I am glad to see a publishing company run by women-identifying people for women-identifying people.
Mel Silberger
Publications Intern
Currently in Baltimore, Maryland, for school, but from Long Island, New York
What do you do? While an intern at Yellow Arrow, I am responsible for the monthly .W.o.W. and Her View Friday (HVF) posts along with blogs and general social media graphics promoting past publications. I also focus on reading and copyediting upcoming chapbooks, including Beyond the Galleons by Isabel Cristina Legarda, which was released in April, and the journal issue ELEVATE. Lastly, I create social media content for celebration days, such as weekly posts for Women’s History Month with my fellow intern, Amaya, and general writing holidays.
Where do you go to school? I am currently a senior at Loyola University Maryland, and I will be graduating in May of this year!
What are you currently working on? I am currently working toward receiving a bachelor of arts in psychology and writing. I also have two jobs at Loyola University, one as a residence hall desk assistant and the other as a rock wall attendant.
Amelia (Mel) Silberger is a senior at Loyola University Maryland majoring in psychology and writing and minoring in political science. When she is not working, she enjoys writing and rock climbing. Mel has spent the past two summers living in Orlando, Florida, while participating in the Disney College Program. She has loved creating stories since she was six years old, and hopes to continue to grow and build with other writers in the future. You can find her on LinkedIn or email 108amelia@gmail.com.
Her future plans are to continue to gain experience through the publications and editing fields.
Why did you choose to do an internship with Yellow Arrow?
Yellow Arrow’s mission of not only elevating and amplifying female identifying writers, but also recognizing the widespread effects these creators have throughout the community, inspired me. I wanted to be a part of an organization that focused on both writing and the impacts these works have on others.
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Thank you to everyone who supports these women and all writers who toil away day after day. Please show them some love in the comments below or on Yellow Arrow’s Facebook or Instagram. If interested in joining us as an editorial associate or intern, fill out an application at yellowarrowpublishing.com/internships.
Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we AMPLIFY women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or subscribing to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.