Announcing the DRF David Miller Internship Programme 2026


Announcing the DRF David Miller Internship Programme 2026

  • The DRF David Miller Internship Programme returns in a new partnership with New Writing North

  • Two paid internships providing an entry level insight into rights and agenting in publishing

  • Companies providing placements include David Higham, Eccles Fisher, Faber, Greyhound Literary, ILA, Lutyens & Rubinstein, Penguin Random House, PEW Literary, Profile Books and RCW.

  • Last year’s interns have secured jobs with Curtis Brown and HarperCollins.

  • Interviews w/c 29 June, 6-week placements 7 Sept - 16 Oct including a visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026.

The DRF David Miller Internship Programme

The David Miller Internship Programme (DMIP) is dedicated to opening doors for individuals from under-represented groups in the publishing rights sector. For our 2026 programme, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with New Writing North to recruit two candidates specifically from the North of England.

Now in its fifth year, the DMIP supports two paid internships in London over a six-week period (September-October) including a fully-funded visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair. Interns receive payment at the London living wage, as well as accommodation and expenses.

The internships typically involve placements at 8-10 leading London agencies and publishing houses. This year companies who will host interns are David Higham, Eccles Fisher, Faber, Greyhound Literary, ILA, Lutyens & Rubinstein, Penguin Random House, PEW Literary, Profile Books and RCW. The two interns are given mentoring and guidance throughout their placements.

Recruitment

New Writing North will facilitate the initial long-listing of potential candidates drawn from permanent residents of the North. Trustees from the DRF agree on a shortlist and the final selection of two interns is made by an interview panel of highly experienced rights professionals associated with the Foundation.

Applications should be submitted to New Writing North following this link.

Key dates:

  • Informal session via Zoom with previous participants to find out more about the opportunity on Thursday 30 April at 6pm .

  • Deadline for applications: Friday 22 May at 5pm

  • Candidates notified of interview: w/c Monday 22 June

  • Interviews: Wednesday 1 July

Praise for the David Miller Internship Programme

Gill Coleridge, Founder of the Deborah Rogers Foundation, comments:

‘I am delighted to see the internship programme return for its fifth year and thrilled to be working with New Writing North. It is truly inspiring to witness the start of such promising careers within our latest cohort, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who supports this initiative. It remains a fitting tribute to the enduring legacies of both David Miller and Deborah Rogers.

Claire Malcolm, MBE, Chief Executive, New Writing North comments:

‘The North is full of talented people but many struggle to make connections to access jobs in the publishing industry. Working with the Deborah Rogers Foundation and their esteemed network of industry supporters will allow us to open out new and exciting opportunities for people in the North. The reputation of the internships are of the highest calibre and the outcomes for those that benefit from the opportunities are second to none. I’m excited for whoever gets to undertake this opportunity and look forward to developing future work together with the foundation.’

Danielle Olanipekun completed the David Miller Internship Programme in 2025 and has since joined Curtis Brown as a literary assistant. She comments:

‘The experience I gained at the Deborah Rogers Foundation was invaluable in my job search, particularly the exposure to rights, getting hands-on experience as well as the mentorship and experience within office settings with industry professionals. It gave me unique insight which came up repeatedly in interviews and helped me speak confidently about the industry.’

News


Judges Colm Tóibín, Deepa Anappara, Anna James and Ingrid Persaud announce the shortlist for the 2021 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award
On 1st July 2021 submissions to the DRF Writers Award closed. The winner will be announced on 7th December 2021 and shortlisted writers will be contacted by email in mid-November 2021.
Submissions for the DRF 2021 Writers Award can be made between 1st April 2021 until 1st July 2021.
The 2021 DRF Writers Award will open for submissions on 1st April 2021 and close on 1st July 2021. The next DRF David Miller Bursary will open for applications in late 2021.
The winner of the 2020 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award is ‘Pemi Aguda for The Suicide Mothers, a work of fiction. Ian Rankin (Chair of the Judges) introduced the three shortlisted authors and then announced the winner who will receive the prize of £10,000.
Judges Ian Rankin OBE (Chair), Sarah Perry and Max Porter announce the shortlist for the 2020 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award. 3 are chosen out of 876 entries and a shortlist of 8.
The winner of the 2019 DRF David Miller Bursary, Prema Raj, has reported on her time spent at five different publishing companies, in Denmark, Italy, the UK and the USA.
The winner will be announced in mid-May 2020 and shortlisted writers will be contacted directly.
Submissions for the DRF 2020 Writers Award can be made between 1st June 2019 until 31st October 2019.
The winner of the inaugural Deborah Rogers Foundation Bursary Award is Prema Raj