26/04/2023
The interns for the 2024 Open Book: Australian Publishing Internship have been announced, following a huge increase in applications.
The paid internship program launched in 2021 as a joint sector initiative, with Open Book developed to create alternate pathways into publishing for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Open Book program hosts three interns across both Sydney and Melbourne, supported by a mentor.
From the 326 applications received, Olivia Garcia, Tayla Goodman, and Nashin Mahee have been selected as the 2024 Open Book interns from an incredibly strong calibre of applicants – 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, Olivia Whenman, who will act as an external contact to guide and support them through their internship.
About the 2024 interns and mentor
Sydney intern, Olivia Garcia
Olivia Garcia moved from New Zealand to Argentina before settling in Sydney, where she grew up immersed in languages and stories. She completed a postgraduate degree in Editing and Publishing at UTS, where she was involved with student publications. Being raised in a Spanish-speaking home, she values the importance of unique voices in the stories we share. She also loves getting involved in literary events and communities — always looking for her next favourite read despite an endless TBR pile. Through publishing she hopes to explore her passion for stories that transform, impact and inspire.
Olivia will be undertaking placements at UNSW Press/NewSouth Books and Hachette Australia.
Sydney intern, Tayla Goodman
Tayla Goodman is an Indigenous woman from Sydney. She is currently completing a Business Administration certificate at TAFE. She is an avid reader and loves to track her reading goals and achievements on Goodreads and other platforms. She has always wanted to work with books and is interested in all areas of publishing, especially sales and editorial.
Tayla will be undertaking placements at Allen & Unwin and Ultimo Press.
Melbourne intern, Nashin Mahee
Nashin Mahee is a proud Bengali-Australian Muslim woman who loves all things arts and culture. She loves reading literary fiction, history, and speculative fiction. Currently undertaking the Master of Creative Writing, Editing and Publishing at the University of Melbourne, Nashin believes that storytelling is the most natural way of preserving human history and discovery. She aims to champion diversity of representation in the publishing industry by combining her lived experience with the transcendent power of storytelling. Presently, Nashin is the MZ Blog editor for Grattan Street Press and spends most of her free time reading, café-hopping and eating pastries.
Nashin will be undertaking placements at Affirm Press and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Olivia, Tayla and Nashin will be supported through their placements by Open Book mentor Olivia Whenman. Olivia is the Digital Business Manager at Pan Macmillan Australia. She has over 8 years’ experience in the publishing industry - working in the audiobook, ebook and digital publishing space. A passionate advocate for innovative storytelling, she has worked on award winning audiobook productions and bestselling digital releases. She leads Pan Macmillan Australia’s Cultural Competency Group and has sat on the Open Book Advisory Board since 2022. Learn more about Olivia in this interview
Outstanding applicants
The number of applications in 2024 grew from 220 last year to 326, and once again the Open Book Advisory Board were impressed by strength of applications. Open Book program manager Rebecca Slater said:
'Our selection panel was completely blown away by the number and calibre of applicants 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 Creative Australia and the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund. 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].