25 Book, Newspaper and Magazine publishing Opportunities

Closing date for applications: 22nd June at 11.59pm

Salary/bursary: £2,510 (reflecting London Living Wage) plus expenses of £100/week included for travel and other costs.

Duration: 6 weeks

Location: London & Germany (two days, one night) to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair. Accommodation will be provided throughout the internship if needed.

Interviews: Early July 2023

Start date: From mid-September 2023

This entry-level springboard into publishing offers a hands-on introduction to the idea of rights and agenting, in partnership with some of the industry's leading companies.

The DRF David Miller Internship programme creates entry pathways for people from groups under-represented in the publishing rights sector, in partnership with Creative Access, a leading social enterprise specialised in diversity, equity and inclusion. Now an annual award, the DRF David Miller Internship Programme with its educational brief supports two paid internships over a 6-week period.

The programme offers an entry level introduction to rights and agenting in publishing companies and literary agencies, providing a full understanding of the role of rights professionals within the wider industry. This will be achieved through first-hand experience and intensive training, with the specific aim of providing a significant stepping stone to the successful candidates in their search for future employment. Their educational schedule will include involvement with The Frankfurt Book Fair in October, the key yearly rights event. The two interns will be given mentoring and guidance throughout their placements.

Payment will be made in two stages, based on the current rate of the London Living Wage at £11.95 per hour for seven hours per day for six weeks (£2510). Expenses of £100 per week will be included for travel and other costs. The total payable to each intern will therefore be £3110, of which £2000 will be paid at the start of the programme and the balance after four weeks.

Accommodation will be provided and paid for if needed. Companies committed to the programme and who will provide placements include Penguin Random House, Faber, Profile Books, David Higham, Greyhound Literary, ILA and PEW Literary.

Key activities

• The programme offers an entry-level introduction to rights and agenting in publishing companies and literary agencies, aiming to give candidates a full understanding of the roles of rights professionals within the wider industry
• First-hand experience and intensive training, providing participants with a significant stepping stone in their search for future employment
• Topics covered include the concepts underpinning intellectual property and copyright; how publishing licenses work; how authors and agents work together; the role of the publisher both domestically and in international markets; the ways in which translation rights are sold; the role of literary scouts; how publishers exploit the rights they have acquired; and insights into some translation publishing markets in a variety of countries
• The educational schedule includes a visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair, the key yearly rights event in October
• The two interns are also given mentoring and guidance throughout their placements.

What we are looking for

• A keen interest in publishing, in particular rights and agenting
• This is a great opportunity to learn, so we are looking for someone who is inquisitive with a love of books
• You don’t need to have previous publishing experience to be considered for this opportunity
• Good communication and collaboration skills
• Highly organised and good at managing your time
• Strong attention to detail

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

In 2022 internships were awarded to Valentia Adarkwa-Afari and Hannah Asikhia. Reflecting on their experiences, Valentia comments:

‘The DRF Internship has been one of the most invaluable experiences of my life. As a recipient, I have felt nothing but appreciation and gratitude towards everyone involved in creating such a wonderful programme for me.’

Hannah adds:

‘I feel incredibly lucky to have been one of the recipients of the David Miller internship programme. The experience has provided an in-depth entry into the world of rights.’

This opportunity is only open to individuals from a group that is under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment / transitioning and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

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.

The internships will be overseen and managed by the Trustees of the Deborah Rogers Foundation, together with senior executives from the collaborating publishing houses and agencies.

The DRF David Miller Internship Programme is named in memory of RCW agent David Miller who died in 2016.