Open Book 2025 interns announced
The successful interns for the 2025 Open Book: Australian Publishing Internship have been announced.
Chosen from over 450 applications, the 2025 interns and their placements are:
- Olivia De La Mare – Pan Macmillan and HarperCollins
- Kin Francis – Affirm Press and Thames & Hudson
- Darby Jones – University of Queensland Press (UQP)
- Rebecca Zhong – Oxford University Press and Hardie Grant.
De La Mare grew up in and moved through rural Australian towns before settling in Sydney. ‘Raised in a family of Thai, South African, and Indigenous Australian cultures, she quickly learned that storytelling is the most important form of communication,’ said Open Book. ‘She knows the importance of each book genre and reads widely to enrich her life with dynamic texts. She maintains her creativity through written and spoken word poetry, having featured at Enough Said Poetry Slam and the Illawarra Folk Festival. Through publishing, Olivia hopes to elevate texts through each department to create works worthy of the author’s brilliance.’
Francis (they/them) is a community engagement specialist, a writer, and a 2014 graduate of RMIT’s Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing. ‘Since completing their studies and being unable to grip onto publishing work, Kin adventured through the world of arts management,’ said Open Book. ‘They’ve enjoyed collaborating with over 30 non-profit organisations in Australia and beyond, such as the Emerging Writers’ Festival, Battersea Arts Centre, and Transgender Victoria. Kin returns to the book industry with a sustained interest in editing and to advocate for LGBTIQA+, multicultural and Disabled writers. A voracious reader of epic fantasy, they love disobedient characters, worldbuilding, and queerness in all its forms.’
Jones is a freelance writer and editor with matrilineal ties to the Kamilaroi mob in Southwest Queensland. Open Book said: ‘In 2023, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Writing) as the valedictorian of his graduating class. He is a proud alumnus of the black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project, where he was rigorously trained in the art of culturally sensitive editing and manuscript development. As an advocate for diverse representation in literature, he has dedicated his career to amplifying the voices of marginalised peoples.’
Zhong is a second generation Chinese New Zealand immigrant. Open Book said: ‘She is an avid reader across all genres but finds it particularly difficult to pass up any opportunity to hype up an unhinged female protagonist. Rebecca has previously worked as an editor and staff writer for her university magazine and as an editorial assistant at the New Zealand Listener. Currently undertaking a Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing [degree] at Melbourne University, Rebecca is passionate about enhancing accessibility and platforming minority voices across the publishing industry.’
The four successful interns will be supported through their placements by Open Book mentor and Ultimo Press managing editor Alisa Ahmed.
Open Book program manager Rebecca Slater said: ‘We are so pleased to have expanded the 2025 Open Book internship program to welcome four outstanding interns this year. As always, we thank our dedicated and enthusiastic host publishers, and invite hiring publishers from across the sector to explore our shortlisted applicants – selected from an incredible 450+ applications this year – and to get in touch with any hiring opportunities.’
Launched in 2021, the Open Book paid internship program is a joint sector initiative which ‘aims to foster cultural diversity in the Australian publishing industry’.
Last year’s recipients were Olivia Garcia, Tayla Goodman and Nashin Mahee.
More information is available on the Open Book website.
Category: Awards Local news
