{"id":488457,"date":"2025-10-28T11:15:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T11:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/?post_type=podcast&#038;p=488457"},"modified":"2025-10-28T01:38:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T01:38:54","slug":"publishing-a-book-ya-fiction","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/podcast\/publishing-a-book-ya-fiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Dreaming of publishing a book? This YA fiction author got her head start in the US"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Publishing a book is no cakewalk, much less if you\u2019re an aspiring YA fiction writer hoping to see your stories grace the shelves of a Barnes and Noble. Just like getting into an Ivy League university, the odds of signing a traditional book deal for most budding authors are as low as one to two per cent. But starting out in the States, or countries that are home to a majority of the world\u2019s biggest publishers, can give you an edge. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In this episode, we speak with US graduate and Filipino YA novelist, Mae Coyiuto, about the many ways studying abroad opens doors to creative careers, the diverse roles you can explore within the publishing industry, and of course, what you should do if you\u2019re dead set on becoming a published author.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/player.simplecast.com\/01da27c4-0717-4004-8c4c-efe6e1acdc7f?dark=false\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The transcript below has been lightly edited for grammar, spelling, and clarity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Hey, what&#8217;s up guys? Welcome back to the Extra Credit Podcast.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">If it&#8217;s your first time tuning in, this is a series where we speak to international students, graduates, and faculty members worldwide about the beauty and perks of studying abroad.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m Maryam, your host.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">If you&#8217;re active on BookTok and Bookstagram, or if you<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> simply got a passion for writing and dream of breaking into the publishing world, our guest, Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e Coyiuto<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, has some tips to share with you.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">From all the way in the Philippines, Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Coyiuto <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">is best known as the author of the teen romance novel, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chloe and the Kaish<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ao<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Boys<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">, named one of the New York Public Library&#8217;s top 10 books for teens in 2023. The story itself is one I&#8217;m sure many of us can relate to.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A high school girl in Manila named Chloe wishes to attend college in the US, but her overprotective dad keeps setting her up on arranged dates. Why? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o keep her from studying abroad.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Now, just like the main protagonist of the book, Mae <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Coyiuto <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">herself dreamed of studying in the US. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ortunately for her, she did. Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, welcome. We&#8217;re very excited to have you here with us today.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">How are you?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mae: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m good<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">thanks for having me<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd I feel like you should be the one to pitch my book to other people. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat was way better than what I usually do<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (laughs).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (Laughs) <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Now, in your book, while Chloe wants to study animation in the US, she faces some pushback from her father and family members who want her to study back home in the Philippines, just like her cousin, Peter, right?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Mhmm.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s someone who shares the same heritage with Chloe and who has also studied in the US yourself, was this theme inspired by a true story or perhaps your own experience?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mae<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">actually<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">when my friends<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">would rea<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> the synopsis of the book or the, I guess, the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">description <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">before reading it, they would always be like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> are you Chloe?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Uh\u2026i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">t&#8217;s not an autobiographical book, but I did borrow a lot from personal experiences from<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">observing a lot of Chinese-Filipino girls growing up also.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I actually just wanted to write like a young adult fiction story that starred <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chinese<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Filipino girl in Manila.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ecause, like, growing up,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> really loved young adult books. I loved reading, but most of the rom-coms that I would read always starred people in the U.S. or<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">teenagers based in Western countries. So, this was kind of like my spin on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">what would that look like if someone from Manila got to be<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">the main character.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Oh, r<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eally cool, but were your parents supportive of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> your <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">dreams of study<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">abroad?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mae<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I was very lucky.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, I&#8217;m the youngest of four siblings, and then my eldest sister<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">actually studied abroad. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">he went to Singapore for college, and then<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I think a lot of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">lde<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">r<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> siblings would relat<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I feel like they paved the way for it to become a bit easier for younger siblings to, like, do their own thing. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o I think, if not for her, I wouldn&#8217;t have really<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">gotten the idea of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, I could study abroad. But my parents are very supportiv<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and they never really pushed back on me wanting to write. I think they just never expected that I would make<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">a career out of it. So, I think a lot of people could relate when they want to do, like, a creative career. They feel like it&#8217;s not usually seen as, like, a practical thing to pursue, or it&#8217;s usually seen as a hobby.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o that&#8217;s kind of<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">what I channeled when I was writing Chloe<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">N<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ot really from my experiences with my parents, but more of like, from community, society, and like, that idea that<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">doing something like animation or a creative thing is not something worth pursuing. I&#8217;m lucky with my own family<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut yeah, I think it&#8217;s more (of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">what I observed from the community around me.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Interesting that you say that because in 2011 you were a Young Star columnist for the Philippine Star.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">So, writing has always been a huge passion of yours. But in 2012, you pursued a bachelor&#8217;s degree in psychology at Pomona College. So, what inspired you to take a different path or pursue this field at the beginning?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mae<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah, so I really loved writing. I started writing when I was, like, nine years old or even younger. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut then I always saw it as, like, something I enjoyed doing, and I was really exposed to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">when I thought of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, authors or books that are usually from international countries. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, I never really thought that I would study (at) college and then study writing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">one of my classmates were also doing that. So, I was so focused<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m sure a lot of people in your podcast could relate, that when you&#8217;re trying to apply for a college, you&#8217;re just so focused on that process of the application, of doing well in high school<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat for me, I actually didn&#8217;t think so much about what I wanted to do in college until I was there.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">And then, so, when I got to college, I was lucky that<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I went to Pomona, and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hey encourage<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">students to take a lot of classes from differen<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">majors, departments, so that you could figure out what you wanted. So, I was lucky that I spent my first year kind of doing that, like taking classes. And I too<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">k <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">a biology class, I took a film class, and I took a psychology class. And <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> really liked my intro psych class. And then, afterwards, there was a class on Asian American psychology, which&#8230;I never knew that was a thing. I didn&#8217;t know, like, you could study, like, cultural psychology, and I super enjoyed that class and that professor became<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">my faculty advisor. And I guess I ended up with psychology just because I really enjoyed the classes. But yeah, that was kind of, like, my college freshman<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">trajectory.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o what was your experience like leaving home, knowing you&#8217;ll be thousands of miles away from your loved ones for several years?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mae<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Yeah,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I was very lucky, in that aspect, that my sister was actually in LA. She was working at that time. So, at least I had family kind of close to me in college. And then <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">also had an aunt who lived in LA. So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I had some family, but I think I also<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I don&#8217;t know, maybe I just had delayed processing in high school that I was like, I never really thought about the fact that I was going to be so far away until I was already in college. And then, there&#8217;s this part in the book where Chloe, the main character, is with her high school best friend and she kind of reflects on, like,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">the idea of everyon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">at home moving on without her. And I think that was some of the feelings I was having also early on in college, that, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">you could be in college miles away doing your own thing, but then you get<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, a sense of, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, \u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, what&#8217;s happening back home?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ik<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">veryone&#8217;s lives ke<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pt<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> on going as well<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut you&#8217;re not there to see how other people or the people you love from home grow. So, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> think that&#8217;s anyone who&#8217;s ever left home. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> feel like that&#8217;s a feeling you have always even if so many things<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">are happening for you elsewhere<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ou still have your home at the back of your mind. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">feel like that&#8217;s something <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2026I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> talk a lot about with my friends who also experience living abroad.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Did <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">you face any challenges while you were there? I mean, other than the emotional aspect of being away from home.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mae:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I think after college, like, I think especially right now in the US, I feel like a lot of international students are<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">having trouble with, like,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">the visa situation of what happens after college<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, there&#8217;s t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">his rule in the US that<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> your <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">job or internships have to be related to your field of study. So, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">sometimes I would want to<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">get a job here or do, like, an<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">internship here, but it wasn&#8217;t related to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, my major. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, that wasn&#8217;t an option for me,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">and when I would apply for certain programmes or certain things, the requirement was, you had to be a citizen. And I guess, like, the reason why I also moved back home was, I was in the US still during 2020. So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> that was when the pandemic was<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">at its height. So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">during that time, I think everything was just so unsure.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And yeah, I think, like, a lot of international students<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">go through this where the future might be very unpredictable. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, a lot of things are not in your control. So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> yeah,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> think, like, being there just made me like things where <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> can, like, predict what&#8217;s gonna happen. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut then, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I think<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, being abroad with all those factors just made me kind of, like, trust in the process a bit more<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut yeah, still working on that though.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Okay, s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">peaking on, like, being, you know, able to predict what happens in the future, right, you mentioned just now that finding jobs in the US, like, you have to make sure that they relate to your major or your degree<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">right<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">But despite that, during your bachelor&#8217;s degree in 2013, you also joined the Cinematic Arts Summer Program at the University of Southern California to study screenwriting and 2D animation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Mm-hmm.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">So, did this summer programme reignite or fuel your passion for writing and storytelling? <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah, I guess going along the lines of me kind of just<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, trying to (be) like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 M<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">y role model wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> my sister. So, she actually did this programme when she was in college. She did<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I think it was the directing programme at USC<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">for a summer. And then<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">he told me all about it. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then, she even brought me to the USC film campus. And then, I still remember<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, going there and it just felt unreal, like that whole campus, especially their film department.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ou just felt like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cW<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ow, people who made movies actually went here.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat was, like, the vibe you get. And, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, after my freshman year, I was thinking that I wanted to kind of make the most out of my summer<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then, I decided to apply for this programme. And I always loved film and TV. I think those mediums inspired my love for storytelling as much as books.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">So yeah, I think that&#8217;s why I wanted to try out screenwriting and animation. I never really pursued them or did any classes on them before.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut I guess it was just<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2026i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">t was really cool. I&#8217;m not sure if that reignited my love for stories, but I learned a lot from, like, how to tell a story effectively in other mediums. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd I also learned, I guess,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">with my writing, I feel like I like<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">writing dialogue a lot. I like<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">being more visual, I guess. So, I guess that&#8217;s something I learned when I took that screenwriting class. I think<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">the professor mentioned that dialogue was, like, a strength of, like, screenwriters. And before, I was kind of insecure that I liked dialogue so much that I wasn<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019t that great at<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> the other parts of writing. But with reading these screenplays, I learned you can say so much with dialogue. So yeah, I think, like, I just picked up on what I did well and what I could work on more with writing from trying out other formats or mediums.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, we can see why <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">C<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hloe wanted to be <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at USC <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">so badly, right? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ecause it sounds really exciting <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">since you\u2019ve been there <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">yourself. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, okay, can you give us, like, a behind<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">scenes look at what the programme was like<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">in a structural sense? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, what exactly were the classes like? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, how did you apply?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ow can prospective students get in if they want to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mm-hmm. Yeah, this was back in 2013. So, I&#8217;m not sure if the process has changed a lot since then.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Bu<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">t for the classes, I remember with the animation class, it was actually a 2D animation course<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m not sure if they still offer that because I think 2D animation was already kind of phasing out, even, back then. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut it was cool. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, I remember<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">we were given, like, lectures and then we had readings, but then a lot of the class was focused on you kind of, like, making your own project by the end of the class. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd I remember we would use th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> light box where you get to, like, place all your sketches and then see how you can, like, I guess with how animation is, especially <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2D<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> animation, you would make the drawing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2026s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ame drawing over and over again with just, like, minor adjustments. And then, by the magic of animation, you can see it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, coming to life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8216;m not sure if I&#8217;m describing the process correctly, but yeah, I super enjoyed it. They also had like a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I remember we got to try, like, stop motion animation. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">with that, I remember I made, like, a puppet, and then I got to take, like, different pictures of this puppet, with minor adjustments to their poses, and then make, like, a short<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">video out of that. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o yeah, I had so much fun with that class. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd for the screenwriting class, it functioned more, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I think<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">I remember<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, more like a workshop. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">we were given<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">access to, like, the library where we could, like, read a bunch of samples of screenplays to learn, like, the format, but then our professor really encouraged us to write our own stuff<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I remember<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> we had, like, a bunch of writing assignments. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then, we got to, like, pass our work around<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">the room. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> p<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eople would read it, and then give their feedback.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eah, I think it&#8217;s from all the writing courses I&#8217;ve had<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I think it&#8217;s similar where you have a blend of lectures, but I feel like the workshop portion of writing classes are where you learn so much from critiquing other work and, like, from other people<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">giving comments on your work as well.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Speaking of<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">writing, while you were studying in the US, you also managed to author a couple of books for children and young adults, which were published by Anvil Publishing, which is based in the Philippines.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">So what was the process like from writing those books to pitching the ideas of the concepts and getting them published?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, so that was a long story actually, of how that happened. So,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I wasn&#8217;t writing so much when I was in college. And then, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> actually had to take, like, a leave of absence.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> was going through, like, a personal injury. So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I was back home recovering from, like, an operation. And then, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I wasn&#8217;t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> doing much for<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, a few days, and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> get really restless when <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I&#8217;m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> not doing anything, especially, like, if <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I can&#8217;t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, like, move so much. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, my sister<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">again, suggested to me like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">why don&#8217;t you write while <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">you&#8217;re recovering<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and like, doing things<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h yeah, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> decided to write a story. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd that was the first time <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> tried writing again in<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">years.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then, it ended up being, like<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">a novella draft of a YA story. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I worked with an editor from Anvil Publishing when I was younger, and I decided, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, I had this project with me<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wh<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">y don&#8217;t I<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">send it to this editor and se<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e; w<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ould they be interested in doing anything with it?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">I didn&#8217;t really expect much.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut then,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">he team at Anvil has always been so supportive of<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">my writing even until today. So, they were interested. And yeah, I remember that was, like, 2014. It took, like, a year, I think, to make those edits, and then kind of<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">get it ready for publication.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then we released that book a year after, from what I remember.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">That&#8217;s actually really cool, though, because <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I think<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> it&#8217;s interesting that you&#8217;ve already sort of gotten, like, some experience of publishing books in the Philippines. But then, in 2018 and 2019, you still went on, like, multiple different internships, basically like a marathon of internships at various American publishing houses like St. Martin&#8217;s Press, Soho Press, Simon &amp; Schuster,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">and Macmillan. So, securing even one internship in the US is super stressful,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">especially as an international student. So, can you tell us how you prepared, and applied, and then successfully, you know, landed multiple internships in a row?<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Because that&#8217;s really, really impressive.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">U<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">m, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o actually, after college and after that whole time when I was working on that book, that was kind of, like, that moment when <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> did that book back home that I decided, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, I kind of want to see<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">what if I decided to pursue this writing thing or like really went for it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">So, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> researching, and found there were, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">graduate programmes on writing for young adults and children<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">since everybody knew that I really liked YA fiction.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And so, I applied and got accepted. And then, I moved to New York for a few years. And basically, during that programme<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I got that since I was studying, like, writing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I had the opportunity to, like, do internships within that field, within publishing. And so,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">basically <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">most<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of US publishing, I think, is based in New York, especially back then before COVID, I think they weren&#8217;t as open to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> like, remote work. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">N<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ow I think<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">at least I think it&#8217;s expanding to other areas in the US. But when I was there, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I basically<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> thought, like, I&#8217;m already in the place where I have the opportunity (to), like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">learn from publishing and do these internships if I can.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">every semester. I was like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">kay, let me send out any opening I could find. Let me just send out a resume or send out my CV.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">An<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">d I was lucky there were some people in my MFA class who were also in publishing, and they were very kind. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd they would send me like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, here&#8217;s an opening that you might be interested in.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">O<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">r they would be willing to, like, look over, my cover letter to just give some comments<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">here was also a programme, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> think it was called, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">R<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">epresentation <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">M<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">atters<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o there was this group in publishing who felt like they saw the issue of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, publishing not being very diverse in<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">the industry<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, what they would do is, they would have mentors, kind of like guide those <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">p<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eople of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">olour who want to go into publishing or in the industry.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o I applied for this mentorship programme and I was lucky to get, like, two mentors<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and they were so gracious in giving advice and also, like, meeting with me to just go about, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">different areas of publishing, different ways I could, like, try out or go for these internships.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And yeah, I think I got rejected by a lot of opportunities also while applying. But the cool thing is, like, when I would apply for, like, this publishing company, and then I would usually be in touch with, like, the HR person. And for example, the next semester, (when<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I would apply again<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, it was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> nice that they would remember me. An<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I don&#8217;t know if they would be like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">kay, she&#8217;s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2026<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">she&#8217;s trying out again.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">So, usually, like, if it&#8217;s my second or third time applying to a company, that&#8217;s when they would be, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, okay. Like, Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> really wants to like, um<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2026\u201d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">or they knew me, or they were willing to, like, offer me, like, an interview or things like that. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">F<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">or my first publishing internship, I remember it was with St<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Martin&#8217;s and then it was in marketing.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And it wasn&#8217;t for children&#8217;s publishing. I remember it was more for nonfiction titles or for cookbooks. And then<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">I think <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">when <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I worked<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> with that department, they all knew that <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> was really into, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">children&#8217;s publishing, and so, a few semesters later, whe<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n I applied for <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">an opening in children&#8217;s marketing, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> think the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">HR <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">person recogni<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ed me and was just like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h yeah, let&#8217;s set you up with an interview.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eah, I think<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">that was my favorite one out of everything. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Like,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">y last internship was working with children&#8217;s and young adult books, and figuring out<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like, how to market them and working with<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">books that I love<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I would say, like, not all genres, but, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I read,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> like, other genres of books<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut then, YA fiction is just something that<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I think, goes to my heart, if that makes sense. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">I really<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> love getting to work with those books also.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I would say, my favorite genre is also YA. So, I get the appeal.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Okay. So, when you completed all these internships, I remember I saw one of your posts on Instagram where you applied for an internship at<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Penguin Random House back in, like, 2018.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">But then I think<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I&#8217;m not sure if it didn&#8217;t work out or so, did it?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Ah,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, yeah, I had an interview, but I ended up not getting that internship. But yeah, I remember the two times I went to that building.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">So when you enter th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Peng<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">uin<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Random House headquarters, you just see, like, huge shelves of books. And then like,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I don&#8217;t know, I got starstruck, I think, like both times I went to that building. And even after my interview, I remember going down the lobby, and I think the security guard was just looking at me because I was just, like, staring all over the room. And then, I was just telling, like,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u201cD<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o you mind if I take, like, selfies here?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd then he&#8217;s like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cY<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eah, go ahead.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">U<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">m, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">b<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut yeah, that <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the first time I went to that office was for an internship interview. And the second one was to meet with the marketing department for Chloe and the Kai<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shao<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Boys. So, that was a really great full circle moment, I think.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I was just about to say tha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t was like a <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">full circle moment because, like, in 20<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">3, you finally signed a book deal with one of the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ig <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">F<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ive publishers, which is Penguin Random House, and released your first title under them, which is the book we&#8217;re talking about today, Chloe and the Kaishao Boys.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">first, how did you feel about that?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Uh, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I don&#8217;t know.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Sometimes, I think, like, it doesn&#8217;t feel real until now<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. J<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ust because like,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> uh, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m sure you love books<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">but as someone who loves books, like, it just feels like, I guess when I see<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> like, one of the books that I loved growing up<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> um, for me, like, Chloe and the Kaishao Boys, it&#8217;s hard for me to grapple that, like, it&#8217;s the same.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">It&#8217;s also a book, if that makes sense. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I don&#8217;t know.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> It<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> still feels like a dream come true whenever<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> process that<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> like, someone wanted to publish this book or, like someone<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">from all the way in Malaysia picked up this book. But yeah,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">sometimes, I just have to convince myself&#8230;like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eah, that happened. I&#8217;m always like, I always keep thinking about, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, no, what if<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> like, no one wants to publish my next one, or what if I can&#8217;t come up with another story again?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut yeah,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m not sure if it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> has<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, like, registered yet. But yeah<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I&#8217;m very grateful that, you know, we&#8217;ve reached a time where, like, publishers abroad are seeing that, people want to read about characters outside the US or outside of Western countries and are willing to, like, bet on international authors as well. So, yeah.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Would you say that your time spent studying and interning abroad has sort of played a part in growing and helping you achieve those new milestones as an author?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Well, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I would say, I do think that, whenever I talk to especially aspiring writers from the Philippines, I always say that I don&#8217;t think you need to study abroad or go abroad to pursue becoming an author. I feel like we have such great talent, back home, and<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I wish publishers just really invest in so much talent we have here.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut I guess for me, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the eight years I lived abroad, it <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">definitely inspired me<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I mean, it comes out with the themes I write about<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in Chloe and the Kaishao Boys<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd I feel like those eight years just exposed me to meeting so many different types of people, and especially people who are pursuing different creative dreams. I feel like that was such an eye-opener for me to just meet people who want to be writers, people who want to be actors or screenwriters, or, like, just seeing that<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">there&#8217;s so many ways to achieve a creative career<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and that wanting a creative life is something that a lot of people want also. I think that&#8217;s just like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, going abroad just<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">made things seem more possible for me. I think that&#8217;s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2026<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">that&#8217;s the greatest gift that <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">that<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> experience gave me, honestly.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">I think it certainly did because not only are you writing novels, which is, like, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">big dream, but at the same time, you&#8217;re now also helping the younger generation achieve <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">their <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">big dreams too. Case in point: You&#8217;re currently working part-time as a graduate coach at Ingenious Prep, where you give counseling to high school students in the US and Asia, and help them improve their college applications, right? Can you tell us what that process looks like, and what inspired you to become students&#8217; go-to person for advice?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o actually, when I was in college, there was a group here in the Philippines. It was called CAMP. I think it&#8217;s like <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">C<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ollege and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">dmissions <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">M<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">entors of the Philippines, something like that<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">These<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> two Filipinos who studied abroad wanted to<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">give high school students, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">a resource where, if they do have this goal or this <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dream, for<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> them to get guidance from college students who&#8217;ve already done it. So<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I would volunteer to be a mentor and then I would help out high school students based on my experience, I would tell them like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, this is how I worked on the application.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d O<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">r I would give feedback on their essays.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I really<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> enjoyed the work.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nd <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I became really interested in this whole field of college admissions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd I reached out to the admissions person at Pomona saying that I was interested in the field or, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I wanted to chat with them about their career as well.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And after we <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">had some<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> conversations, he recommended<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">me to meet with this person who worked in a college counseling company. And that company had, like, a whole<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">writing department where the main focus was just guiding students through their application essays.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, I worked there for a bit. And then after that, I transferred to<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Ingenious Prep. But,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I guess I never knew this was an actual<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">areer as well, like college counseling. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut I guess<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I love the personal statement process just because, I feel like in the US, with their college essays, it&#8217;s a lot more personal writing than, I guess, a lot of high school students are used to in school or are assigned to for school requirements. So, I really love,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> l<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ike, working with a high school student, especially those who feel like they don&#8217;t like writing or they feel like they&#8217;re not good writers.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">And then, they end up having such a great<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">touching personal story that they could tell in their essay. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">yeah, that&#8217;s my favorite part of the process. And<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I think I have a soft spot for, like, whenever they assign me an international student just because, I feel<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">like my <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">own<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> experience really<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, changed my life. So, if I could help another kid find the school that&#8217;s right for them or the path that makes the most sense for them, then <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h yeah, it&#8217;s fulfilling, I would say. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut most of the time, I&#8217;m also like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I hope I&#8217;m, like, guiding these students in the right way.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Hopefully I am, but yeah.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I think we can always say that<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is probably another full circle moment for you because you started out as, like, this bright-eyed international student. And<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat sounds like your character, your protagonist, Chloe as well, right? And now you&#8217;re the person who&#8217;s helping other international students also achieve their dreams of studying abroad.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">I would say it&#8217;s pretty poetic, isn&#8217;t it? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">R<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ight<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">? <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">So, last but not least, what&#8217;s next <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Coyiut<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Yeah, I&#8217;m actually working on my next book.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> M<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">y deadline&#8217;s actually next week. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Uh, b<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut it&#8217;s set to be released in February of 2026. So that&#8217;s next year. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut yeah, it&#8217;s also <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> YA book. It&#8217;s also based in Manila. It&#8217;s about this girl who<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">basically lost her dad when she was young and then suddenly<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">gets to meet the ghost of her dad, but she&#8217;s the only one who can see him.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">t sounds like horror<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. W<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">henever <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> pitch it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">people are like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cS<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o, this is like a horror story.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">t&#8217;s similar to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">C<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hloe where it&#8217;s a lot about family, some romance in there<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> guess, my friend described it as, like, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cY<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ou&#8217;ll be laughing, but you&#8217;ll also be crying <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> some parts<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u201d<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o yeah, I guess that&#8217;s, like, my spiel about what this next book is going to be.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ut yeah<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat&#8217;s kind of like<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">what I&#8217;ve been working on for the past few years.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat sounds so exciting. I&#8217;m going to be looking forward to it, so I&#8217;ll keep my eyes peeled on that.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mae:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Thank you.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maryam:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Okay.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Thank you so much, Ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. It was such a pleasure to speak with you and learn more about the world of publishing and also learn more about<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">your experience of studying abroad, and interning there, and working there.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ll right, guys, if you&#8217;re interested in listening to more cool stories from fellow international students and grads, don&#8217;t forget to check us out at <a href=\"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/\">www.studyinternational.com<\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">You can also connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. We can be found across these platforms under the username <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Study <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">International.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Until next time.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We speak to YA fiction author, Mae Coyiuto, about what it takes to break into the publishing industry and the many creative careers you can pursue through studying abroad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":488458,"template":"","podcast-category":[],"podcast-tag":[],"class_list":["post-488457","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast\/488457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/podcast"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/488458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=488457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"podcast-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast-category?post=488457"},{"taxonomy":"podcast-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast-tag?post=488457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}