Shelfies & Stories: My internship at Huxley & Hiro

I’m currently a Social Media Intern for Huxley & Hiro, an independent, woman-owned bookstore nestled in the heart of downtown Wilmington, DE. Although the position is remote, balancing it alongside my academic schedule has been seamless, and it’s offered me a rewarding blend of structure and creativity.

I work closely with Huxley & Hiro’s Social Media Manager, Sophie McCarthy, to curate and develop digital content. One of the most exciting aspects of this role has been the creative freedom I’ve been given—especially when it comes to designing Instagram posts, promotional flyers, and other visual assets. That freedom has been both a “rose” and a “thorn.” While I’ve loved experimenting and leaning into my design instincts, the brand is still in the early stages of establishing a consistent visual identity. With no set “blueprint” or defined aesthetic just yet, it’s been a process of trial and error. But through it all, communication with Sophie has been a highlight. Every question or concern I’ve had has been met with patience and thoughtful feedback, which has helped me grow more confident in my creative decision-making.

A major milestone during my internship was helping with Huxley & Hiro’s second annual Author Fair, held at the Carriage House at Redwood Park & Museum. The event was a huge success—with over 600 attendees, 1,190 tickets sold, and authors averaging 17 book sales each. I supported Sophie on-site with real-time content creation, capturing photos and videos of guests, checking in with participating authors, and filming short interviews with both writers and readers. This was my first ever event as an intern, and it was such an energizing, hands-on learning experience. Being part of something so community-driven and celebratory was a major confidence boost and made me even more excited about pursuing a career in digital media.

Working with Huxley & Hiro has been such a rewarding experience, and I’m looking forward to what the rest of this internship has in store. I couldn’t have asked for a better first step into the world of social media and community-focused storytelling.