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WNDB Interns Share Their Experience: Yana Makuwa

It is an undisputed fact that internships are valuable sources of experience and exposure in whatever industry a person could hope to enter. I found my summer at Macmillan to be no different—I rubbed elbows with successful professionals who had years of experience under their belts, I sat in on crucial meetings, and I got a feel for the day-to-day work done in an active publishing office. But what most people don’t get a chance to see, and what I found was the most valuable addition that We Need Diverse Books provided, is the construction of the moral backbone of the industry. The WNDB program provided access to the work that goes into making sure the daily grind of publishing is part of a grander scheme to make the book world a better place.

The internship program encouraged us to attend and participate in the Children’s Book Council Diversity panels and dialogues, and I am so glad I took them up on the offer. It was inspiring to see people from all different aspects of the industry, with different backgrounds and from various publishers, come together to contemplate and problem-solve issues that are important to them. The attendance at these events showed me that pursuing a job in publishing will allow me to effect change for social issues that I value.

The We Need Diverse Books internship showed me what was possible for my future and made me feel like I was participating in real time as well. The fact that the CBC’s diversity planning committee asked the internship participants to come to their meeting and discuss how the program affected us proved that the organization valued the diverse perspectives of people of color. It helped me believe that I really did have a place in that world, and that it was important that I pursue it.

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WNDB Interns Share Their Experience: Kandace Coston

When I received the email from We Need Diverse Books offering me one of their five summer internship grants, I was so excited I almost forgot to send a thankful response. To be honest, “excited” is a profound understatement. Just the day before, I was offered the internship position at Lee & Low Books, a dream come true in itself. So when I read the email of acceptance from WNDB while on my way to work, my first reaction felt less like excitement and more like disbelief overcome by immense gratitude. I stopped walking and reread the email two more times to be sure I wasn’t mistaken, and as the good news sank in it manifested into a victory dance. I dropped my tote bag on the sidewalk, and got-down-with-my-bad-self right there on the street corner.  

Three weeks later I began my summer internship at the country’s largest independent publisher of diverse children’s books. As enthusiastic as I was, the thought of being in an office executing administrative tasks was very unnerving. Thankfully, the transition was effortless due to the welcoming and approachable nature of the Lee & Low staff. I could also breathe easier knowing I had the support of WNDB, a community whose agenda aligns with Lee & Low Books’ efforts. I was working in and supported by institutions that shared a mission I believed in. The camaraderie between them also helped facilitate my learning of the children’s book industry. WNDB encouraged me to be receptive, and Lee & Low Books was eager to teach—a winning combination!

As an aspiring writer/illustrator suddenly immersed in the world of publishing, I had a lot of questions regarding my personal writing and goals. Thankfully WNDB’s assistance only began with a grant and complimentary tote bag full of award-winning titles. WNDB was an endless resource! They held luncheons, dinners, panels, and provided well-established industry professionals as personal mentors. A few of the other grant recipients are also aspiring writers and illustrators, so our luncheon and dinner together were especially insightful. During these occasions we shared our experiences working at different publishing houses and got to pick the brains of the WNDB membership which included industry leaders, published authors, and the President of WNDB herself! Each outing WNDB provided was an invaluable opportunity to learn from my peers and professionals.

As the summer came to a close, I could proudly reflect on my internship experience. All five of us WNDB grant recipients were fortunate to have had this summer opportunity, but I felt especially privileged to have had it with WNDB through Lee & Low Books. Armed with a solid understanding of the industry and the support of the WNDB community I knew I’d be an asset to any publishing house. Recognizing this as well, Lee & Low Books made my dreams come true a second time by offering me a full time position as their Editorial Assistant. Instantly overcome by that familiar feeling of disbelieving gratitude I excused myself from the office. The quiet, empty corridor comforted me as I waited for the good news to sink in. Once it did I celebrated the best way I know how…a victory dance.

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WNDB Announces Inaugural Diversity Internship Awardees

New York, New York - June 10, 2015 - Less than one year after achieving its stretch goals during its Fall 2014 IndieGoGo campaign, We Need Diverse Books™ (WNDB™) is thrilled to announce the first five recipients of one of its biggest projects to date - the WNDB™ Publishing Internship Project. Each recipient will receive a supplementary grant and will also have access to a mentor from the WNDB™ team of writing and publishing professionals.

The WNDB™ Internship Committee, an internal group made up of several volunteer team members and headed by award-winning author Linda Sue Park, began accepting applications and essays from hopeful internship applicants earlier this year. By working closely with publishing partners to inform them of the scope and requirements of the grant, the committee wished to encourage the consideration of diverse candidates. Once an applicant was officially offered an internship with a children’s literature imprint, they informed the WNDB™ Internship Committee of their acceptance and were then fully eligible for the grant.

After extensive and careful deliberation by the team, five applicants were ultimately selected as the very first recipients of the grant. Those recipients are:

Julie Jarema of Bard College, who accepted an internship with Simon and Schuster.

Feather Flores of Pomona College, who accepted an internship with HarperCollins.

Kandace Coston of Barnard College and Columbia University, who accepted an internship with Lee & Low Books.

Esther Cajahuaringa of Teachers College and Columbia University, who accepted an internship with Hachette Book Group.

Yananisai Makuwa of Cornell University, who accepted an internship with Macmillan.

Through this program, WNDB™ hopes to allow for greater networking and opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds seeking to enter children’s publishing. They are ecstatic to begin the program with such a promising group of young professionals. Though there are many miles left to go, this is a fantastic start. The WNDB™ Internship Grant Program will return in 2016, and in the meantime, WNDB™ has several other programs rolling out, including Booktalking Kits (recently released), the first Walter Awards (Fall 2015), and the first Diversity Festival in Washington, D.C. (Summer 2016).

WNDB™ would like to thank the Children’s Book Council for providing informational materials and educational opportunities for this year’s WNDB™ grant recipients. Thanks also to all the new publishing interns who will be taking part in the future of children’s publishing.

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About We Need Diverse Books™

We Need Diverse Books™ is a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. How we define diversity: We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. For more information, visit http://weneeddiversebooks.org/

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