2025 Program

Applications for the 2025 Open Book Program have now closed.

This year, Open Book will offer four paid internships across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Open Book: 2025 Hosts

2.png
Untitled design (4).png
9.png
8.png
7.png
Untitled design (73).png
Untitled design (6).png

About the program

Open Book: Australian Publishing Internship is a paid internship program which aims to foster cultural diversity in the Australian publishing industry.

This year’s program will run from 26 May 2025 – 17 October 2025.

In 2025, the Open Book program will offer four paid internships:

  • 1 placement in Sydney hosted by Pan Macmillan and HarperCollins (21 weeks)

  • 2 placements in Melbourne hosted by Affirm Press, OUP, Thames & Hudson, and Hardie Grant (21 weeks)

  • 1 placement in Brisbane hosted by UQP (10 weeks)

Of the internships available, one is an identified Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander role.

Interns will be required to work 3 days a week, in office at their host organisations.

Download the Sydney/Melbourne Position Description
Download the Brisbane Position Description

Application Process

The selection of successful applicants will be based on two criteria:

  • A response to selection questions (Round one)

  • An interview (Round two)


What successful applicants won’t need:

  • Proof of a school leavers certificate or university degree qualification

  • Previous experience in the books and/or publishing industry


What successful applicants will need:

  • A keen interest in books and reading

  • An eagerness to learn and immerse themselves in all aspects of the book publishing industry

  • The ability to work collaboratively across a range of small to large teams

  • Good communication and problem-solving skills

  • To be 18 years or over

  • Availability to work in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

Applications will be assessed by a selection committee composed of members of the Open Book Advisory Board and Host Organisations.

Applications are strongly encouraged from people from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While the internship is an entry-level position, Open Book does not equate this with youth or inexperience, and there is no upper age limit for applicants.

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the Contact Form on our website.

Open Book Mentor: Alisa Ahmed

Alisa Ahmed is the managing editor at Ultimo Press. She began her publishing career at a literary agency in London and has worked closely with authors writing across a variety genres and topics. She is passionate about championing new voices and strives to widen inclusivity in publishing. She also has experience in negotiating contracts and selling rights, and more recently, she worked in production at Scribe Publications. Alisa edits adult fiction and non-fiction and is proud to have worked with some of Australia's best contemporary writers.