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


The winner will be announced in February 2019. For more information about the DRF David Miller Bursary please visit the bursary page.
The Deborah Rogers Foundation announced that applications are now open for the second David Miller Bursary. Candidates have until 16th December to apply. Applications should be made via the website.
The winner of the 2018 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award is Deepa Anappara for Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, a work of fiction.
Judges Anne Enright, Pete Hobbs and Jenny Uglow announce the shortlist for the 2018 £10,000 DRF Award. Three are chosen out of 752 entries. Winner to be announced on 16th May at Award ceremony in London
We are delighted that the winner of the inaugural Writers Award, Sharlene Teo’s debut novel, Ponti, will be published by Picador in the UK in April 2018 and by Simon & Schuster in the US in September 2018. It is currently sold in seven other languages.
The Crossway is an account of Guy Stagg’s extraordinary pilgrimage from Canterbury to Jerusalem. It will be published by Picador on the 14th June 2018 and will be BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week from the 18th June 2018.
The winner of the inaugural DRF David Miller Bursary, Sam Coates, has reported on his time spent at four different publishing companies. The report is now available to read in this post.
The shortlist for the 2018 DRF Writers Award will be announced on Wednesday 2nd May. The Award itself will be presented by Anne Enright on Wednesday 16th May at an event in London
We are delighted to announce the publication of The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar this month by Harvill Secker.
At 6pm on Wednesday 13th December submissions to the DRF Writers’ Award closed. The winner will be announced in May 2018 and shortlisted writers will be contacted directly.