26/04/2023
The interns for the 2023 Open Book: Australian Publishing Internship have been announced.
The paid internship program launched in 2021 as a joint sector initiative, and aims to foster cultural and linguistic diversity in the Australian publishing industry. This year, the program has expanded to host three interns across both Sydney and Melbourne.
From the 220+ applications received, the program has selected Enchinea Close-Brown, Keerthana Ravindran and Isabelle Webb as their 2023 interns – learn about them below.
Over the course of the six month program, interns will gain in-house experience at Australian publishing organisations from across the commercial, independent, and education sectors. They will also have the opportunity to meet with a range of industry professionals from the broader publishing industry – including literary agencies, writers festivals and bookstores. Interns are also supported by a mentor, who will act as an external contact to guide and support them through their internship.
About the 2023 interns and mentor
Sydney intern, Enchinea Close-Brown
Enchinea Close-Brown is a First Nation creative based in Sydney. Currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Wollongong, with a major in international relations and creative writing. Enchinea intends to combine the creative and humanitarian aspects of her degree into a union of activism, which works towards positive change within the world. As an avid traveller who has undertaken trips throughout Europe and Asia, she believes that all voices need to be heard and all people seen in the stories that are published. As a proud Indigenous woman Enchinea knows the power of storytelling, the boundaries in which stories transcend, and the lives they change upon doing so.
Enchinea will be undertaking placements at Allen & Unwin and HarperCollins.
Melbourne intern, Keerthana Ravindran
Keerthana Ravindran moved to Melbourne from Sivakasi, India. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and is passionate about historical writing and historical fiction. She has worked as an editor and writer for her college magazines. Curious about all things books - ranging from printing to marketing, she finished her master’s in creative writing, publishing, and editing. She has completed two marketing internships in Melbourne and hopes to bring her previous experiences to sales and marketing in publishing.
Keerthana will be undertaking placements at Oxford University Press and Scribe Publications.
Melbourne intern, Isabelle Webb
Isabelle Webb is a proud Palawa woman, originally from Hobart, and has a background in the Torres Strait as well. She has qualifications in event management, and has previously volunteered with local Tasmanian events such as the Twilight Market and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Children's Festival. She is a huge reader and writer, and loves posting reviews on GoodReads and sharing books with friends. She has always had an eager interest in book publishing, and has a special interest in marketing and editorial.
Isabelle will be undertaking placements at Thames & Hudson and Hardie Grant.
Enchinea, Keerthana, and Isabelle will be supported through their placements by Open Book mentor and accredited freelance editor Camha Pham. Pham has over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry across trade and educational publishing.
Outstanding applicants
The number of applications in 2023 grew from 200 for last year's program, and once again the Open Book Advisory Board were impressed by strength of applications. Chair of the Open Book Advisory Board, Grace Heifetz says:
“Our selection panel was completely blown away by the enthusiasm, skill, and experience of the applicants we received for this year’s program. We look forward to welcoming this outstanding cohort of interns into the program, and encourage publishers from across the industry to reach out to Open Book to facilitate introductions with our shortlisted candidates too.”
Details of the outstanding shortlisted candidates are available on the Open Book website. The program strongly encourages publishers who are actively recruiting to read their bios and reach out with any opportunities. Open Book can facilitate introductions via email.
More on Open Book
The Open Book program is supported by funding from the Australia Council for the Arts and the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, and received program support from Writing NSW. The APA is a partner of the Open Book program.
Find out more via the Open Book website: www.openbookinternship.org
Publishers or individuals who are interested in supporting the program or have further questions, can get in touch at [email protected].