Milan Sehmbi and Wiggy Bob Snow successfully complete the DMIP 2023


 

Winning candidates Milan Sehmbi and Wiggy Bob Snow spent six weeks on placement with literary agencies and publishing companies to gain an insight into the world of publishing rights. Training was provided by Aitken Alexander Associates, David Higham Associates, ILA, Penguin Random House, Faber, Profile Books, PEW Literary, Greyhound Literary and Eccles Fisher Associates and the two interns had the experience of attending the Frankfurt Book Fair. They are both currently looking for work in the industry.

 

Milan commented: “The 6 weeks flew by, but I've learnt so much and I'm so excited to learn more! I’ll be forever grateful for such an amazing experience.”

 

Wiggy commented: “This internship has done more for me than you can imagine. On my own, without your endless support and generosity, I’m not sure how long it would have taken me to break into the publishing industry. You’ve opened a door that I thought might be locked, and for that, I will never thank you enough … I have never felt more comfortable or safe in a working environment before. I have felt welcome, respected and seen. It’s gone by so fast, and I’m sad that it's over, but also so excited to see where I go next.”


2023 DRF Writers Award Winner Announced


  • Judges Abdulrazak Gurnah, Claire Adam and Annalena McAfee announce Neil Rollison as the winner of the 2023 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award for his work, The Dead Don’t Bleed.
  • Two runners up were congratulated: Michelle Alipao Chikaonda for The Dying Embers of Our Setting Sun and Alicia McAuley for The Caul.
  • Neil Rollinson receives £10,000, the two runners up £1,000 each
  • 864 entries were considered.
  • A shortlist of three was chosen from a longlist of nine.
  • Chair of the judges, Abdulrazak Gurnah announced the news at a ceremony at Faber, The Bindery, London on Thursday 9 November.

 

The judges for the 2023 Award were Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah (Chair), along with award-winning novelist, Claire Adam, and the renowned writer and journalist, Annalena McAfee.

‘The panel read through a longlist of nine pieces of writing. There was a great deal to admire in all of them and we congratulate all the submitted writers and their achievements. We arrived at our shortlist after intense and pleasurable discussion and unanimously chose The Dead Don't Bleed as the recipient of the Deborah Rogers Foundation Prize.’ - Abdulrazak Gurnah, chair of the Judges

News


DRF 2025: The 2025 Writers Award will open for entries 1st January - 31st March 2025 and the Judges are announced. Read the David Miller Internship report.
Entries for the 2025 Writers Award will be sought from 1 January 2025 until 31 March 2025. The winner of the Award will be announced in November next year.
Leanne Francis and Lena Bruns have been selected as the successful candidates for the 2024 David Miller Internship Programme. Two paid internships provide an entry level insight into rights and agenting in publishing. Placements begin in September and include a visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair 2024.
Announcing the return of the DRF David Miller Internship Programme in partnership with Creative Access. Two paid internships providing an entry level insight into rights and agenting in publishing. Focus on attracting candidates from communities under-represented in the industry. Interviews in June, 6-week placements from mid-September including a visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair 2024.
April 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Deborah Rogers, after which this Foundation was set up in her memory. So this seems the appropriate moment to celebrate the positive impact that the DRF has made to our industry by supporting emerging talent in the publishing world.
Winning candidates Milan Sehmbi and Wiggy Bob Snow spent six weeks on placement with literary agencies and publishing companies to gain an insight into the world of publishing rights.
Judges Abdulrazak Gurnah, Claire Adam and Annalena McAfee announce Neil Rollison as the winner of the 2023 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award for his work, The Dead Don’t Bleed.
Judges Abdulrazak Gurnah, Claire Adam and Annalena McAfee announce the shortlist for the 2023 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award.
Nobel Prize winner, Abdulrazak Gurnah, chairs a panel of three judges. The winner receives £10,000 to complete first book. DRF Writers Award to be presented on 9th November in London
The Writers Award longlist is now confirmed and successful entrants have been notified by email.