FAQ: THE SECOND VOICE JOB LISTING
FOR APPLICANTS
Q: What is Brightstone Books?
A: Please review our website, the "About Us" page and current Projects. Brightstone Books is a publishing and entertainment company focused on our flagship dark fantasy series, Mystic. We aim to promote its story through multiple formats unlike traditional publishers. In addition to books, our projects include producing a full cast audiobook featuring recognizable talent, original music, and atmospheric sound effects for a unique immersive experience. Once complete, we plan to release five minute visual episodes on YouTube using artwork from our talented artists. Future plans include a lore documentary style series, live action role playing events, and fan conventions.
Q: Where do I apply?
A: https://brightstonebooks.com/career-opportunities
Q: What exactly is the hybrid in person/remote structure?
A: Please go by what our website says when in doubt. Per the job listing on our website: "In person team meetings will be held quarterly at our office in Salt Lake City, though this may vary depending on our needs. If you are located outside of Utah but within the USA, that's no problem. We will cover your travel and accommodation for these meetings."
Q: How does the three round application process work?
A: The first round is the initial stage where applicants submit their resumes and other information. In addition to weighing credentials, we also see if the candidate followed the directions when applying. The second round consists of the top 5-10 percent of candidates. So if there are 500 applications, there will be 25–50. This stage will be different for each candidate depending on what we are evaluating. For some, it might be a simple questionnaire. For others, an interview with the hiring manager. For others, a writing proficiency test. The third round consists of the final 3–5 applicants as selected by the hiring manager. AJ will interview the finalists and choose 1–2 to hire.
Q: I am remote only. Should I still apply?
A: We are only looking for hybrid candidates right now. To be clear, per our website on the full job listing: “In person team meetings will be held quarterly at our office in Salt Lake City, though this may vary depending on our needs. If you are located outside of Utah but within the USA, that's no problem. We will cover your travel and accommodation for these meetings.”
Q: Ok, I am fully remote. Are there any positions available for me?
A: Very likely in the near future. If you’re interested in future job opportunities, you can provide your information here: https://brightstonebooks.com/talent-pool
Q: Did I make the second round? I haven’t heard back.
A: Please review your email from our careers team and the job listing. It states when the job closes. If you haven’t heard back by April 7th, 2025, then you have not been selected. If that is the case for you, please know that applying for one of our jobs can be highly competitive, with candidates ranging in qualifications from PhDs to master's degrees, some are semi-famous authors or even college professors with various prestigious awards. That doesn’t mean we find candidates without such titles any less valuable. In fact, we don't necessarily care about some of those accolades. Our point is, competition for this position is strong. That said, we are a relatively newer company, so we plan on expanding. If you don't make the second round or third and would like the possibility of working with us in the future, please provide your information here: https://brightstonebooks.com/talent-pool
Q: What stuck out to you in my profile?
A: AJ’s assistants scour Handshake to find many unique and capable candidates for him to message. Our criteria include various backgrounds and majors.
Q: Is it possible to have AJ message me back?
A: AJ is incredibly busy, but he does sometimes message candidates back. If you happen to receive a message from him directly, that is rare. We receive on average 250 applications every 14 days for our job listings. If you progress in the hiring process, he may message you directly.
Q: I submitted an application on your website already but I got your message to apply again on Handshake?
A: Ignore it. AJ’s assistants scour Handshake to find many unique and capable candidates for him to message. Sometimes they can send him the same profile, which means he could message you twice. AJ doesn’t go through applications with his hiring manager until toward the end of the job opening period. He wouldn’t know if you had already applied. As long as you got confirmation that your application was received by us, you’re good.
Q: I applied on Handshake, not your website. Is that not correct?
A: It depends. Did you follow the instructions that we provided? “Please read the full job posting on our website to ensure your application includes all the information we've requested.” If you didn’t go to our website and review the full job posting, then yes, you very likely did not submit a complete application. If you’re double checking this, that is good. Candidates that didn’t follow the directions we provided are eliminated immediately during the hiring manager's review. If that’s you, just go back, follow the instructions, and ensure you sent in an application that includes all the information we’ve requested and you’ll be fine.
Q: I can’t apply right now. Will it be available later in a few months?
A: Not likely. Our job postings average around 250 applications every two weeks. Please see when the close date is on our job posting. We try to leave them open for 30 days to make sure everyone has enough time to see it and apply.
Q: Can this be seasonal or a summer job?
A: Not at this time. If you are looking for an intern position, please let us know and we’ll put you on our list to contact when we have positions available.
Q: Who is the author?
A: Please read the “About Us” on our website. AJ Jordan is the author.
Less frequently asked questions
Q: This seems too good to be true.
A: We’re not sure what to tell you. Brightstone Books is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A rating. It’s at the bottom of our website. It costs nearly $1,000 per month to be a Plus business on Handshake, and your school had to review and approve our company.
If you’re using social media as a rule of thumb for credibility, you might want to think again. You should know that 38 percent of financial scams start on social media, according to the FTC.
If that is not enough, then respectfully do not apply. We typically receive hundreds of applicants within weeks of our job postings. Less than one percent of applicants question our legitimacy. We’re not interested in proving ourselves to you, nor do we have the time to do so.
Q: I can’t find AJ anywhere online.
A: AJ doesn’t have a personal social media and has no plans to use anything owned by Meta. He does not have Facebook, and has never had Instagram. If you’re using social media as a rule of thumb for credibility, you might want to rethink that. You should know that 38 percent of financial scams start on social media, according to the FTC. Many busy successful people don’t use social media because they don’t find value in it.
Q: Once the series is up, does the position end? Will I be let go?
A: No. AJ has five more books to write. We plan on building a franchise to rival the greats, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and so on. Please review our website to learn more. Our plans go beyond just the novels.
Q: Are there AI images on your website?
A: Please see our “AI statement” on our website before jumping to conclusions. We are a team of creatives, including artists.
Q: I want to talk to someone about the job over the phone
A: Not going to happen if you’re in the first round. If you’re in the second round, please tell us why and what you’d like to discuss and we’ll likely accommodate that.
Q: You said this is a mythopoeic dark fantasy novel series? What does that mean? And what does mythopoeic mean? I want to make sure I am not uncomfortable with dark fantasy content.
A: We respect your inquiry, as everyone has different tastes. Current popular dark fantasy novels include: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, and The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski. Dark fantasy leans into realism, asking hard questions about morality, power, social constructs, and human nature. It rarely offers easy answers or perfect heroes. Geralt in The Witcher is one example. It explores what people do when faced with cruelty, fear, or survival. Magic and monsters exist, but often carry meaning. AJ’s novels include violence, strong language, and mature themes but not graphic sexual acts or sexual profanity. His work might be considered dark fantasy, but it can be very inspiring at the same time.
Mythopoeic refers to the act of creating original myths within fiction. It literally means myth making. To put it in layman’s terms, it means stories with lots of backstory, myth and lore. Lord of the Rings is a good example of this. The world feels alive and real due to its vast history. Mythopoeic novels also often have symbolism or people that are loosely based on ancient cultures, beliefs and history.