Meet the Summer Interns: Darren Kovalchik

Our summer reading period kicked off just a couple weeks ago with the exciting addition of two editorial interns that have joined the WLM crew to learn and assist in the selection process and publication preparation for the upcoming issue. We're happy to introduce both over the coming weeks, starting with Darren Kovalchik, who we've interviewed below!

Darren is an editor and software engineer located in Bellingham, Washington. He recently completed University of Washington’s Certificate in Editing and hopes to move his focus from software to editing in the years to come. He enjoys reading science fiction and urban fantasy, especially stories that offer a unique lens into the condition of being human.

What drew you to want to intern with a lit mag?

This internship offered an opportunity to learn about the publishing industry and contribute to a fledgling magazine. I hope that some of my existing skills from the software industry will come in handy.

Why Weird Lit Mag?

When applying for the internship I found the Weird Lit manifesto at the bottom of the site, which includes the following phrase: “We support freedom of expression, community engagement, and the open exchange of ideas.” I think those ideals should be fundamental parts of any community, and I appreciate that they’re front and center at Weird Lit Magazine.

What are your long-term editing/publishing/writing goals and dreams?

My long-term goal is to transition out of software and into editing or publishing. People continue to say that literature is a declining art, but I think it will be more important than ever in the coming years. Human connection is so vital—especially as our lives become increasingly coupled with technology—and I would love to spend my time helping people form those connections through literature.

Does your background inform your editing work? How, if so?

Much of my work in software required communicating complex technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences. Technical communication requires clear and concise descriptions of very complex problems. I like to help authors cut through their stories to find the important themes and plotlines.

What kinds of things are you excited to read in a Weird Lit Mag submission?

I appreciate stories that challenge the way people think, especially through unusual settings or characters. I don’t think stories need to be strange, so much as they need to present things in a way people may not have encountered before.

What kinds of things are you not excited to encounter in a Weird Lit Mag submission?

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of horror (just my personal taste). I’m happy to consider submissions that are horror based, but I think that horror at its best offers a glimpse into the darker parts of human nature. Horror that’s simply for horror’s sake is less interesting.

Is a hot dog a sandwich?

According to Merriam-Webster: yes, if it’s served in a split roll.

Merriam-Webster defines a sandwich as “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” It defines a hot dog as “a frankfurter with a typically mild flavor that is heated and usually served in a long split roll.” Therefore, a hot dog served by itself is not a sandwich, but a hot dog served in a split roll fits the definition of a sandwich.

Least favorite word?

I’ve always despised the word “anyways,” because it’s almost always used incorrectly.

Name a book that made you cry (or feel like crying).

Strangely enough, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson was a recent sad (and hopeful) read for me. Not exactly the deepest of literature, but I did appreciate Brandon Sanderson exploring topics and formats outside his normal output in this series.

Where or how do you think many writers can improve their writing?

I think most writers can benefit from writing less. Even the best of us can become attached to the unnecessary information we spewed onto the page in a fit of writing. I think the best writing has had much of the original content removed, so only the most important parts remain.

Submit your short fiction for consideration from Darren and the rest of the Weird Lit team through June 1, 2025!