Our Interns
Writers
Mei Backof
Audrey Mei-Lin Backof, also known as Mei, is an English and Creative Writing student at Santa Clara University. Having always been fascinated by the woven worlds of books and other literature, Mei is grateful for the chance to dip her toe in those waters at Readeezy — and to do it for a good cause. Mei’s other creative writing has been published in university literary journals, and she was awarded the first-place Tamara Verga prize by the Academy of American Poets for her poem, “Flower Mother, Fever Daughter.”
Santa Clara University
Dylan Jacob Brown
Dylan Jacob Brown is a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP), where he studies Creative Writing. His passion for storytelling began early, leading to the publication of his first book, “Jerry to the Rescue,” when he was just 9 years old. Dylan dreams of becoming a bestselling author, and this is his second published work. He loves reading romance novels and Stephen King books—a unique combo that inspires his writing. Dylan is also the biggest Olivia Rodrigo fan in the multiverse, bringing a bit of that youthful energy and enthusiasm into his stories.
University of Texas, El Paso
Seth Byle
I am a professional and public writing major at Michigan State University. I have loved writing ever since I was a kid, especially creative writing, which inspired me to pursue writing at the University.
Oakland Community College and Michigan State University
Noah Chang
Noah Chang is an environmental science student at the University of Maryland, College Park. He enjoys creative writing, and he hopes to make fun and engaging stories more accessible for everyone.
University of Maryland
Jennifer Dahlin
Jen lives in Minnesota and works as a Check and Connect mentor. She majored in Writing and minored in Multimedia Journalism and received her BFA in May 2024. Jen likes to write creative nonfiction and short horror stories. She hopes to work in publishing or editing.
University of Wisconsin-Superior
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-shuster-dahlin-b8845a230
Ian Forrester
I am a senior at Colorado State University in the English/Creative Writing program. I love writing all kinds of stories and creating all kinds of worlds, although I am particularly fond of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. One day I hope to write for the film and television industries.
Colorado State University
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-forrester-537581301/
Andrew Francis
Andrew Francis is a writer based in Morristown, NJ who studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University of Florham Park, pursuing a BA and MFA in Creative Writing. Francis, born and raised in Morristown, is predominantly focused on personal memoir pieces but also enjoys writing short fiction stories and poetry. Francis aspires to be a successful author and to be able to teach writing on a college level. He was drawn to Readeezy because of their pursuit to make reading easier for young adults and is honored to be able to contribute to that goal.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Molly Hamilton
Molly is a copyeditor in Boston, Massachusetts, who graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in English in 2023. She’s published short stories, poetry, and essays. She feels aligned with Readeezy’s mission to make reading easier and more enjoyable for young people, as she’s always been passionate about the importance of literature.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Grace Heberling
Grace Heberling is a creative writing student at The Ohio State University. There she also studies Spanish and Russian to broaden her perspective as a writer and the audiences she is able to impact. Grace enjoys both writing and editing, especially in her beloved fantasy genre. Grace’s enthusiasm for accessible reading is what led her to Readeezy, whose literary collection she was eager to contribute to.
Ohio State University
Handshake: app.joinhandshake.com/profiles/42741625
Ashley Husain
Ashley Husain is an artist based in Chicago and a BFA candidate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where they are focusing on Film and Animation, set to graduate in 2024. During their internship at Readeezy, Ashley wrote a book, showcasing their skill and passion for writing and storytelling. They are dedicated to exploring narratives through a variety of mediums, bringing creativity and depth to every project they undertake.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Portfolio website:https://kellyntaylorportfolio.wordpress.com/
Wardah Kamran
Wardah is an English and Psychology student at the University of Virginia and will graduate in May 2025. She is the Humor Editor for the Cavalier Daily and enjoys writing in her free time.
University of Virginia
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wardahkamran
Sophia Libetti
Sophia Libetti is a writer that loves urban fantasy as well as gothic horror. She hopes to become a published author in the future and work as a scriptwriter for video game studios.
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Leo S.C. Maldonado
Leo is an up-and-coming creative writing and educational specialist. He is passionate about creating compelling characters that resonate with audiences while leveraging new technologies and media to enhance the creative process.
Loyola Marymount University
Website: leoscmaldonado.wixsite.com
Marie Meisner
Marie Meisner is a writer studying English, Creative Writing and Education at the College of the Holy Cross. Her time at Holy Cross has enabled her to grow in her love of writing through writing fiction, poetry, and scripts for the stage and screen. She is thankful for her internship with Readeezy and appreciates its commitment to providing engaging stories for readers of all levels. After graduation, she is interested in pursuing a career in elementary education and/or creative writing.
College of the Holy Cross
Andrea Montgomery
I have loved language and vocabulary since the earliest years of English class. I am personally interested in cracking the art of aesthetic prose, vocationally interested in guiding others to build their most self-indulgent book-worlds for their own characters, plots, and philosophies.
Regent University
Dylan Patrick
Dylan Patrick, the pen name of Dylan Patrowicz, is a Seton Hall alum with a B.A. in Creative Writing. Fiction or not, Dylan hopes his writing will either explore the unknown or teach a new point of view.
Seton Hall University
X: @PWDylanPatrick
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dylan-patrowicz-9445091aa/
Dylan Perez
Dylan Perez is a Cuban-American writer and actor based out of NYC. He has a passion for telling Hispanic stories that embrace heritage and culture.
Fordham University
Mathew Powell
I am a writer who wants to impact the world through both entertainment and social commentary. With a preference for multimedia storytelling, I want to promote diversity and understanding across the world with my future works. I love both fantasy and engaging with modern social issues!
University of Central Florida
J. Siqueiros Rivas
J. Siqueiros, a Creative Writing student at The University of Texas at El Paso, lives in the Cd. Juarez-El Paso border area. With a passion and love for both Hispanic and American literature, she crafts stories that combine her unique cultural experiences and her fascination with fantastical realms.
The University of Texas at El Paso
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimena-siqueiros-5b633b317
Haley Schmid
Haley Schmid is a creative writing student at University of Missouri and is set to graduate in May 2025. She has an interest in writing and editing, and this is her second internship in this industry.
University of Columbia-Missouri
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/haley-schmid-77a9a0315/
Tayphath Thyagaraj
I’m a creative writer with a passion for storytelling and game design. I aspire to be an established author one day, and I have a small independent Youtube channel where I record, edit, and post entertainment content on my own. I dream to be a person who can reach people emotionally through my writing and my content and to be an example of good character for people. Professionally, while I am a bit shy initially, I have good working attributes such as communication, integrity, punctuality, and teachability, so I guarantee I will be a good investment for my future employers.
Fordham University
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tayphath-thyagarajIllustrators
Vick Aguiar
Vick Aguiar (he/they) is an Illustrator studying at the University of Central Florida. They specialize in digital illustration but like to dabble in many other mediums in their own time. He has a deep love for art and stories that explore the human condition and personal identity, as well as art related to media he enjoys because shows we watch— and the books we read— build upon who we are as people and how we react to the world.
University of Central Florida
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vick-aguiar-57953821a/
Dylan Costello
I’m a graphic artist with skills in illustration and animation. I graduated with a BA in Arts (Concentration in Animation) from Rutgers University in 2023, and I am a comic writer hobbyist.
Rutgers University – Camden
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyl_kill97
ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/dylkill
Sebastian De Lara
I’m currently a student at Rutgers University, majoring in Visual Arts with a focus on Design. I also really like animation, and I hope to find a career in something similar when I graduate.
Rutgers University
Kiana Galamay
Kiana Galamay is a character designer and visual development artist based in California. Inspired by animation, music, fantasy genres, world cultures, and history, she strives to create visual works that viewers can be immersed and represented in, fueled by both imagination and knowledge of the past.
Otis College of Art and Design
Portfolio: kmgalamay.myportfolio.com/workLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kiana-galamay
Instagram: @ki_does_art
Riley Heath
Riley Heath is a student of Animation and Fine Arts, double majoring in Animation and Gender + Women’s Studies. He is passionate about the power that stories and art have in informing how we interact with each other and the world around us, and hopes to use his interdisciplinary scholarship to keep making art for anyone to enjoy and learn from.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Instagram: @snailcat_studio
Katrina Hurley
Katrina Hurley is an aspiring comic artist who is looking to get her BFA in drawing and painting with a focus in comics. She found her interest in fantasy when she was young and wants to share her love of the genre with everyone. She’s always been compelled to make stories and art for others to read and enjoy and hopes that she can continue this goal into the future.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Personal Website: https://kksartbuffet.wixsite.com/kksartbuffet
Crystal Jackson
My name is Crystal, and I’m an illustrator and graphic designer. I have a love for character design and an appreciation for art in various media. I love exploring the creative process and seeing how artists bring their concepts to life. I hope to explore the illustration and design world more in the future.
Wilmington University
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchiest_queen/
Website: https://crystalsdesigner.com/welcome-1
Anthony Johnson
I am a New Jersey native, growing up in Edison, NJ and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where I graduated with a BA and MFA in Film & Animation. For as long as I can remember, my life has been filled with music, art and animation. I guess it’s natural that I chose a career in visual art. I am looking forward to a long and successful career.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Artstation portfolio:
artstation.com/ajpierson20
Erica Luo
Erica Luo is a graphic artist who graduated from Syracuse University with a Master’s Degree in Illustration, specializing in digital art and graphic design. Her work has been recognized with several illustration awards. Drawing inspiration from various art movements, she is on a continuous journey to discover her unique voice.
Syracuse University
Personal Website: ericaluo.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ericailluo/
Bella Mazur
I am from Toledo, OH and I’m currently studying at The Ohio State University. I graduated from The Ohio State University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I have loved art for as long as I can remember, and my dream is to sell my own artwork full time to make myself and others happy.
Instagram: @creations.by.bella Website: www.bellamazur.com/
Olivia Morey
Olivia is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a BFA in Illustration, Design and Animation. While in University, she found her passion for telling stories through character design and narrative illustration. She wants to continue helping others bring their stories to life through art, as well as writing and illustrating her own comics in her free time.
University of Arizona
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/olivia-morey-50a4b9294/Instagram: @_artlivia_
Peregrine Popp
Peregrine Popp (they/them) is a Chicago-based animator, storyboarder, cartoonist, and screenwriter. They are currently are pursuing a BFA with a focus in animation.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Website: peregrinepopp.weebly.com/
Jihyeon Na
Jihyeon Na is an artist currently pursuing a BFA in Animation at Columbia College Chicago. She holds a passion for storytelling and strives to discover her voice through art.
Columbia College Chicago
Portfolio: 99story.weebly.com/
Levi Ring
Hi, my name is Levi and I worked as an intern for Readeezy during the 2024 summer session. I illustrated A Dangerous Hike, and I put my deep love of comic books, as well as my own personal flavor as an artist, into the project. My dream is to become a successful in the comic book industry.
My hobbies outside of art include playing video games, watching TV, and reading from my collection of comic books. I hope whoever reads A Dangerous Hike enjoys my work, and if you’d like to see more of my artwork, I do sometimes post to my Instagram, so that’s a good place to check out more of my stuff.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leviring3/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi-david-ring-611031265/
Discord: Kunkywalnut475
Kellyn Taylor
Kellyn is a student and illustrator from Pell City, AL. She currently attends Emerson College in Boston as a junior Media Studies major and illustrates for school organizations as well as a hobby.
Emerson College
X: https://x.com/cheerioskiddo
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/cheerioskid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheerio.kiddo/
Portfolio Website: https://kellyntaylorportfolio.wordpress.com/
Becki Zhang
Becki Zhang is an Asian-American artist from the American Midwest. They like comics and manga, RPGs, and shrimp.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/becki-zhang-74779322a/Editorial
Nancy Nguyen
Nancy Nguyen is an alumna of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she earned a B.A. in English and Studies in Media Culture and Cinema. During her time at the university, she developed a passion for literary publishing and hopes to pursue a career at a publishing house.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nancy-nguyen-793986246/
Kathryn Reagan
Kathryn Reagan is a passionate editor and proofreader from Nashville, TN. They are a recent graduate of the University of Iowa, and they are currently pursuing a career in book publishing.
University of Iowa
Nora Thomas
Nora is an English student and law school hopeful at the University of Illinois Chicago. Editing, while not her professional goal, is one of her passions, and she finds little else more satisfying than shaving a story down to its sharpest, most impactful point.
University of Illinois ChicagoMarketing
Caitlyn Burns
Caitlyn Burns is an English Literature major at the University of Pittsburgh. She is also minoring in Economics and obtaining certificates in Children’s Literature and Public and Professional Writing. Caitlyn started her internship with Readeezy in the Fall 2024 and hopes to pursue a career in the publishing industry after graduation.
University of Pittsburgh
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-burns-8a120030b/