Internship Testimonials

lakyndra bridges

2025 National Book Foundation Intern

LaKyndra (she/her) is a second-year MFA candidate in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing. She writes contemporary literary fiction and prose poetry that explore themes of femininity, love, and social dynamics. Outside of her creative work, she creates academic content and researches the transition between high school and first-year college students. She currently lives in Texas with her husband. You can connect with LaKyndra via her website at www.kyndranicholle.com

During the summer 2025 term, I had the privilege of interning with the National Book Foundation, the organization that runs the National Book Awards, in New York City. Working with the NBF staff was an experience I’ll never forget, as I gained an inside look at how a nonprofit organization operates on a national scale. I became proficient in Google Workspace, saw firsthand the wide range of books submitted for the Awards, assisted with behind-the-scenes social media content, and, most importantly, connected with a wonderful community of people while meeting authors and other organizations. One of the most memorable parts of my internship was working at events such as the annual 5 Under 35 celebration and the Inside Literary Prize hosted by the Center for Justice Innovation.

My experience at NBF not only reaffirmed my goals as a professional in literature but also helped me grow as a writer. Outside of work, I had the chance to walk the city, visit museums, and explore local coffee shops, indie bookstores, and stationery shops that sparked new inspiration. Having this opportunity confirmed what I already hoped to be true: I am meant to be in the literary space, and I am meant to be a creative writer. My advice to students seeking similar opportunities is simple: apply for the ones that feel intimidating. You never know what doors will open, and no matter what, you’ll find yourself where you’re meant to be.

Bleah patterson

2024 National Book Foundation Intern

Interning with the National Book Foundation was a truly wonderful experience and one that helped shape both my professional goals and my confidence. Spending the summer in New York gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in an incredible literary community while also exploring amazing museums like the Met, the Whitney, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, as well as the New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. Outside of work, I attended literary events, readings, and an award ceremony hosted by the National Book Foundation, while finally making time to read through my long list of summer books.

The internship itself exceeded my expectations. I worked alongside two other interns, and we developed a great sense of camaraderie while collaborating on projects. The entire National Book Foundation staff was incredibly kind, attentive, and supportive throughout the summer. I never had an internship that took so much care to make sure we were learning, gaining meaningful experience, and helping us translate those skills into language that could be used on future resumes. They genuinely cared about helping us grow.

During my internship, I contributed to projects supporting the Foundation's annual awards ceremony through research, data organization, report writing for grants, and learning firsthand how nonprofit literary programs are organized and maintained. I also had the opportunity to work at and attend one of the Foundation's literary award ceremonies. One of my favorite experiences was unpacking the thousands of books submitted for the awards—it was exciting to see so many new titles, including books that hadn't even been released to the public yet.

One of my goals going into the internship was to learn more about grant writing and fundraising, and I was able to do exactly that. The experience ultimately helped me secure a fall internship with a nonprofit press focused on fundraising and grant writing. The staff encouraged us to ask questions, shadow departments that interested us, and explore areas that aligned with our career goals.

Beyond the technical skills, I learned a great deal about how nonprofit community organizations are sustained, how relationships are built, and what it takes to keep these organizations running successfully.

I'm also grateful for how well the SHSU MFA program prepared me for this opportunity. Through the program's portfolio requirement, I developed my resume, cover letters, and interviewing skills, all of which were invaluable during the application process. My work with organizations like TRP also instilled a strong work ethic for literary work and office culture that prepared me well for my internship at the National Book Foundation.

For future SHSU students interested in this internship, my biggest piece of advice is simple: it's going to be what you make of it. Don't be afraid to ask questions, share your interests, and seek out new opportunities. The National Book Foundation is incredibly accommodating and invested in helping interns explore the areas they're most passionate about, making it an unforgettable learning experience.