Announcing the DRF David Miller Internship Programme for 2023 in partnership with Creative Access

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 @ £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.

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.’

Companies committed to the programme and who will provide placements include Penguin Random House, Faber, Profile Books, David Higham, Greyhound Literary, ILA, PEW Literary and Eccles Fisher.

Creative Access will lead the search for candidates with a particular focus in attracting those from communities under-represented in the sector. They will facilitate the initial longlisting of potential candidates, from which a shortlist will be agreed. The selection of the two successful interns will be made by an interview panel comprised of highly experienced rights professionals associated with the Foundation, with interviews planned for early July. The internships will commence in mid-September and run for six weeks.

Applications should be made to Creative Access and will open in June. For further information about the programme, and for details of how to apply, please visit the DRF website: www.deborahrogersfoundation.org   

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.

Gill Coleridge, Founder of the Deborah Rogers Foundation, comments:
It was thrilling to witness the success of this first Internship programme which is now to be an annual award. I am incredibly grateful to all those who organised it and made it happen; it is a very fitting tribute to both David Miller and Deborah Rogers.

Richard Cable, Director of the Deborah Rogers Foundation, said:
Huge thanks to all of our partner organisations who helped make the first Internship Programme so successful.  It’s wonderful to see Valentia and Hannah embark upon their publishing careers.

Laurence Laluyaux, Head of International Rights at RCW and Trustee of the Deborah Rogers Foundation, comments:
The first Internship programme was a resounding success, thanks to our two impressive winners and to the generous partners who gave them the opportunity to explore many different aspects of the publishing world, both in London and during the Frankfurt Book Fair. We are much looking forward to repeating the adventure this year.

Bibi Hilton, Chief Executive of Creative Access, Partner to the DRF for the David Miller Internship Programme, says:
‘At a time when financial obstacles continue to be a key barrier to entering the literary industry for so many people, it is brilliant to see the DRF David Miller Internship Programme offering support with accommodation and travel costs in addition to the fully paid internship. This is a really pioneering scheme, which sets a new standard for internships and will open up the sector to even more people from communities under represented in publishing and literary rights and agenting, we’re honoured to be a key partner.’