Editorial intern

Closing date for applications: Sunday 1st February 2026 at 11.59pm

Salary: £26,250

Working hours: 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

Location: Oxford, office-based

Duration: 1 year

Start date: March 2026

Interviews: W/c 23rd February

Ready to launch your editorial career with some of the most exciting names in children’s publishing? This internship offers hands-on experience supporting editors and working on stories loved by young readers.

David Fickling Books (DFB) is a celebrated independent publishing house based in Oxford, with a reputation for discovering, nurturing and championing outstanding storytelling for children, young adults, and readers of all ages! The company began as an imprint within major publishing houses before becoming proudly independent in 2013. At its heart, DFB is driven by a simple ethos finding and amplifying great stories. The company focuses on quality, editorial excellence, and reader excitement, publishing a carefully curated range of award-winning picture books, YA fiction and graphic novels in partnership with The Phoenix Comic the UK’s leading children’s weekly comic, together forming the DFB Storyhouse.

The overall purpose of the editorial intern is to provide comprehensive editorial and administrative support to the editorial team, ensuring accurate and smooth management of a wide range of publishing materials.

Key activities

• Provide editorial support to editors as required
• Proofread accurately a range of materials including books, comics, book covers, catalogues and marketing materials
• Help manage the editorial submissions, including logging them and assisting with evaluation and responses
• Liaise with other internal teams as necessary to ensure a smooth flow of information between departments
• Carry out market research to support the needs of the editorial team
• Help maintain accurate and timely electronic filing and record keeping
• Assist at events, which may include set-up and facilitation where appropriate
• Communicate regularly and clearly with the team, providing reports on activity as requested

What you will gain

• A deeper understanding of children's book publishing, workflows and expectations
• Build fundamental editorial skills with a focus on developing editing and writing competence
• Help with content development, gradually increasing responsibility and confidence within the editorial team
• Prepare for future junior editorial roles

What we are looking for

• Excellent attention to detail, including spelling and grammar
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Genuine interest in children's literature, stories and comics
• Excellent IT skills, including use of spreadsheets
• Graduate or equivalent qualification, or relevant experience and skills gained through work, study or other activities
• Some experience in bookselling or publishing (incl. children's publishing) is advantageous

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

This opportunity is open to individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.