A Conversation with Perugia’s Intern: Regan Williams
Regan Williams recently completed a summer internship at Perugia Press, sponsored by the Houston Program at Amherst College. This is the third summer Perugia has been able to offer an internship as a partnership between Perugia and the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning at Amherst. Jean Blakeman, Perugia Press board president, conducted an interview with Regan about her experience as a Perugia intern and as a scholar.
Q. What first brought you to poetry?
A. I had little experience with poetry before the internship, having only taken one creative writing class where we worked exclusively in prose. But I enjoyed that class so much, and I’ve always loved reading all kinds of literature—poetry included. And so I was very excited when I learned about the opportunity to intern at Perugia. It felt like a chance to step into a new genre, broaden my perspective as a reader and writer, and engage more deeply with poetry in ways I hadn’t before.
Q. How did you first encounter Perugia Press?
A. I first encountered Perugia Press through my roommate, who was taking a poetry class at Amherst College with Becky Olander. She introduced me to her, and that connection gave me the chance to learn more about the press and the kind of work it supports. Later, I talked with Becky not only about the press but also about how my interests and work could align with its mission. That conversation was so encouraging and inspiring, and I was excited when Becky offered me the position and gave me a chance to contribute to Perugia’s work.
Q. What were you involved with at the press?
A. I had the opportunity to work on several projects. I collaborated with the other summer intern, Kamali, on two classroom guides—one for Seamless and one for Apostasies—to make the collections more accessible for teaching and discussion. I also created a poetry film that highlighted one of the press’s books, Red, in a new medium. I helped manage PR and social media for Holli Carrell’s Apostasies, reaching out to other publications for potential spotlights or reviews. I also wrote and designed Instagram prompts based on the book.
Q. What are some things that stay with you from the books you worked with?
A. I’ve loved reading and engaging with all the books I’ve had the opportunity to work with, but what comes to mind first is my work on the poetry film for Melanie Braverman’s poem “Compass” from her book Red. I’ve never felt especially attached to my hometown in North Carolina, but while filming, I was able to see it through a new lens and appreciate it in a different way. The poem, combined with the process of translating it into a visual medium, stayed with me because it made me reflect on friendship, love, and how much the people around us contribute to making a place feel meaningful. It reminded me to slow down and notice the small, quiet details that shape our experience of home and community.
Q. Other than being Perugia’s intern, tell us a bit about yourself.
A. I study math and political science at Amherst College and engineering at Dartmouth College through a dual-degree program. I’m passionate about sustainability and renewable energy, and I’m interested in exploring how engineering solutions can address environmental challenges in socially and economically responsible ways. Outside of academics, I stay active through soccer and rock climbing. I also enjoy reading, editing, and exploring creative projects that allow me to combine my interests in science, policy, and the arts.
Q. Do you have a favorite poet? Or a favorite poet of the moment?
A. My favorite poet at the moment is obviously Holli Carrell. Getting to dive deeply into her collection Apostasies during the internship was an incredible experience. I was so struck by the way she blends themes of faith, doubt, and personal agency without it feeling abstract or inaccessible; her work is so grounded in real experience and in the stories of so many different women. Her poems were incredibly moving and thought-provoking, challenging me to reflect on ideas of autonomy and identity. And in addition, I’ve always had a soft spot for Shel Silverstein, so I also wanted to mention that Where the Sidewalk Ends was one of my favorite books as a child.
Q. Perugia’s work centers on highlighting the work of women writers. Do you see a connection between the mission of the press and that of Amherst College, where you are a student?
A. I am passionate about gender equity and equality, particularly in the context of how these issues interact with other unsustainable systemic structures. The mission of Perugia Press to highlight the work of women writers resonated with me because I believe amplifying underrepresented voices is essential, both in literature and in addressing broader social and environmental issues. Through my studies and projects at Amherst College, I often explore these intersections of equity, justice, and sustainability, so the work of the press feels closely connected to my own interests and values.
Q. How do you see poetry fitting into your life as you move forward?
A. I’ve come to appreciate poetry much more through my work with the press. Reading submissions for the Perugia Press Prize competition and experiencing so many collections on such a wide array of subjects opened my eyes to the range of poetry as both an art form and a means of expression. I hope to read for the contest again next year, and I want to continue engaging with poetry in a more intentional and reflective way.
Editor’s note: It was such a joy to work with Regan Williams this summer – a great match was made between Regan, Amherst College, and Perugia Press! Thanks to Jean Blakeman for conducting this interview, to the Loeb Center at Amherst for funding through the Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program, to Kirun Kapur for first facilitating the connection between the Loeb Center and Perugia, and to Regan for your thoughtful, inspired, and helpful work this summer.