We've compiled a free list of opportunities and internships for those interested in a career as a literary agent.
Feel as though there's something we've missed? Contact us on AccessWA@bloomsbury.com with details and we'll come back to you as soon as we can.
And remember, keep an eye on our free writing competitions as well as our bursary opportunities page, which comes as part of our Accessible To All initiative.
Please note that these opportunities happen throughout the year so do keep checking back if an application window has closed.
Blake Friedmann Carole Blake Open Doors Mentorship
The idea of the longer-term mentorship scheme is to offer a candidate who may have full or part-time commitments, the opportunity to get to know the role, the agency and the publishing industry, in hours that can fit around those commitments. The mentorship will take place over 6 months, to include one meeting a month of up to 60 minutes, online (e.g. over Zoom) - with the possibility of meeting in person at some point, if mutually convenient. The mentor and mentee will determine the shape of the mentorship programme together, but the intention is to support the mentee during the six-month period, giving them the opportunity to find out more about publishing, gain insight into the role of the agent and the work of the agency, and offering guidance and advice on a future career.
Translation Rights Internship
Every three to four months Conville & Walsh operate a paid translation rights internship offering insight into the world of rights.
The translation rights team pitch and negotiate the sale of titles into foreign language markets globally. The internship allows insight into every step of the process from speaking to editors abroad, co-agents and literary scouts to working alongside the primary agents, as well as what happens leading up to and after foreign publication. Depending on the time of year, you will also be called upon to help with the arrangements surrounding London and Frankfurt Book Fairs from scheduling to helping with their catalogue.
As the intern you will be working closely with the whole team at C&W and will gain a wider knowledge of literary agencies and the publishing industry, with a specific focus on translation rights and international publishing. They're looking for a highly organised intern, who is interested in a career in translation rights and enjoys working in an ambitious team while handling a high volume of work. Their ideal candidate will have a keen interest in book publishing and foreign markets, an understanding of digital and social media, and a sharp eye for detail. Knowledge of a foreign language is helpful, but not necessary.
The internship will last 3-4 months, and you will earn pro-rata of £20,963 p.a. payable in arrears on the last working day of each month. They ask that you work from 9.30am to 6.00pm (with an hour for lunch).
Media and publishing are amongst the most popular career choices, yet often these industries can seem like a closed shop for those who don't already have experience or contacts. Curtis Brown offer bright and energetic people an opportunity to discover what agencies are all about. Their internship programme gives an introduction to the world of agenting in their Books, Translation Rights, Theatre Film and Television (TFTV) and Talent (Actors, Presenters, Musical Theatre and Commercials) Departments.
The internships usually last for between 3 and 6 months and you will work with agents and their assistants to gain hands-on experience of literary and talent agenting, publishing and the media. You should have good administrative skills and genuine enthusiasm for and interest in the industry. They'd like you to have some experience of working in an office. The scheme is open to graduates, undergraduates and non-graduates alike. You must be a minimum of 18 years-old to undertake this internship scheme programme. If you are not planning to go on to further or higher education after school, then you will be eligible to apply for a scheme start date from the September following your A-levels or A-level equivalents.
You will be paid the London Living Wage, i.e. pro-rata salary of £23,303 per annum. This is payable monthly, in arrears, on the last working day of each month. They ask that you work from 9.30 to 6pm (with an hour for lunch) and that you commit to stay with us for the full period requested.
David Higham Associates Internships
Their internships are usually offered on a six-monthly basis, to give as many candidates as possible the chance to take their first step into publishing but also to ensure they have the opportunity to take on varied responsibilities.
Typically interns undertake a variety of office tasks and act as receptionist, answering their phone line, and also managing their submissions inbox, read and report on manuscripts, assist one of their book agents with client-related tasks, help out the translation rights team, fulfil permission requests, help organise their Open Day events and attend book department meetings amongst other jobs.
Interns leave DHA with a good insight into all the functions of an agency and a developed sense of which publishing role interests and suits them best. DHA mentor their interns with one-to-one sessions throughout their tenure and assist them as they start their permanent job search. Previous interns include Anne Barnes, Head of Picture Books at Puffin, and Aimee Felone, Managing Director of Knights Of.
Felicity Bryan Associates Internship
Felicity Bryan Associates offer a rolling three-month, paid internship programme at their beautiful offices in Oxford. They're on the lookout for keen, bright individuals who are serious about starting a career in publishing and want to be a part of a dynamic literary agency. They welcome applicants from all backgrounds and degree levels, but want someone with great reading skills, an eye for detail and an eagerness to learn about every facet of the work they do at FBA. Previous interns have gone on, often directly, to permanent jobs in publishing houses and literary agencies. The working hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm (with an hour for lunch) and they ask that you commit to the full 3-month period. All interns are paid the Oxford Living Wage. The internship is open to applicants based in the UK or Ireland.
The Felicity Bryan Publishing Mentorship Scheme
The scheme was created in honour of the pre-eminent literary agent Felicity Bryan, who died in June 2020. It's aimed at anyone from an underrepresented background who is interested in pursuing a career in the publishing industry. It is designed to be accessible to anyone, no matter their circumstances, and to give a stimulating and varied introduction to the many aspects of publishing. The mentee will be paid the Oxford Living Wage for the duration of the mentorship and there will be an additional stipend available to cover the cost of accommodation. The scheme is generously supported by Felicity’s family, and reflects her own energetic nurturing of talent and potential in young people starting out in their careers.
The mentorship will be based primarily at the Felicity Bryan Associates offices in Oxford. It will also include a range of industry placements at their partner organisations, including:
- Little, Brown Book Group
- Profile Books
- Andrew Nurnberg Associates
- Blackwell’s Bookshop
- Sylvie Zannier Literary Scouting
- Forage Literary
- BookBar Bookshop
The scheme supports one mentee, however shortlisted candidates will be offered six-months of one-to-one virtual mentoring with a member of the FBA team, who can offer advice about the industry, an insight into the work of literary agencies, and help reviewing CVs and cover letters.#
Greene & Heaton runs a full-time, paid internship programme (minimum wage). Their interns provide administrative support to the agents as well as working on foreign rights and maintaining their website, Twitter feed and internal databases. Applicants should be passionate about books and associated media, have an excellent standard of written English, and be happy to get involved with all aspects of assisting a busy literary and media agency.
PDF Internships
PFD offers bright and energetic first-timers an opportunity to discover what agencies are all about. They run paid internship schemes within the Books department. All applicants must be a British citizen or have a valid work permit, as they are not able to organise on your behalf.
The PFD Books Department intern will work with the various primary agents at PFD, along with assisting our Foreign Rights, Broadcast, Film & TV, and Agora Books publishing department as needed. They aim for their interns to gain a wide ranging, hands-on experience of aspects of working in a literary agency, as well as a general sense of the different parts of the publishing industry. You should have good administrative skills and attention to detail, and the ability to juggle and prioritise multiple tasks at the same time – good time management is essential. A hard-working and enthusiastic attitude is also a must. No prior experience in the publishing industry is needed.
Their internship runs on 1 + 3 month basis, in which they take on an intern initially for one month, and if all is going well on both sides they then extend this to three months. Office hours are 9:30am – 5:30pm with an hour break for lunch, and they pay their interns London living wage.
RCW David Miller Internship Programme
This biennial award will support two paid internships over a 6-week period. The programme will offer 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 steppingstone 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 @ £11.05 per hour for seven hours per day for six weeks (£2400). Expenses of £100 per week will be included for travel and other expenses. The total payable to each intern will therefore be £3000, of which £2000 will be paid at the start of the programme and £1000 after four weeks.