As my time at the Bucknell University Press comes to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on my experience as the Cynthia Fell Intern.
I look back fondly on my time at BUP, an experience that brought much excitement to my senior year. As an English – Literary Studies & Italian Studies major, I found a home at BUP, where I could nurture my love of books and sharpen my professional skills.
Under the mentorship of the talented Director, Suzanne Guiod, Managing Editor, Pam Dailey, and Editorial Assistant, Molly Clay, I gained critical publishing experience—reading and proofing manuscripts, crafting press releases and blog posts, interviewing authors, engaging with metadata and key words, conducting comparative and competitive analyses on new and released titles—that enhanced my ability to make evaluative judgments and to bring a critical eye to my work. I have carried these essential skills with me throughout the year, applying them to my scholarship, my analytical writing, and to my class assignments, and I am certain that I will continue to read and edit with this insight in my future. Interning at BUP has only intensified my desire to work in publishing and to support emerging and established writers’ authorship.
While I have become a more succinct writer with an ability to edit efficiently, I also take away lessons about character and resilience from my time at BUP. I consider myself more equipped to effectively manage the unexpected, to prepare for and organize long-term projects, and to recognize and set my work-life balance. I am indebted to the staff at BUP, all of whom have kindly provided me with advice about my work, my career, and any miscellaneous concerns or questions I had.
I owe much of my personal growth to this rewarding experience that not only made me realize my passion for publishing but also made me a more confident student and professional. The Cynthia Fell Internship will always hold a dear place in my heart and serve as one of my favorite memories at Bucknell. I will miss the workplace, and especially seeing the shelves of BUP’s books, a true testament to the staff’s dedicated work throughout the years.
Thank you to Pam Dailey, Suzanne Guiod, and Molly Clay for their wisdom, insight, and warmness, always.
–Maddy Grieco ’26, Cynthia Fell Intern 2025-26