Closing date for applications: Monday 4th November at 11.59pm
Salary: £23,933 per annum equivalent
Start date: 2nd December 2024
Duration: 9 months
Hours: 9.30am - 5.30pm, Monday - Friday
Get exceptional insight into the book publishing process in this internship with Simon & Schuster, where you'll deep dive into the areas of editorial, sales, marketing and publicity.
Simon & Schuster is one of the most successful global publishers in the world. Its adult fiction list in the UK includes bestselling authors such as Philippa Gregory, Santa Montefiore, Kathy Reichs, Colleen Hoover, Graham Swift and John Irving. The Adult non-fiction list ranges from Number One bestsellers Bob Mortimer, Dave Grohl and Rupi Kaur to John Nichol, Laura Bates, Anita Anand and Walter Isaacson.
This internship will be divided into three placement to offer an incredible range and depth of insight into how a book is published, over the course of nine months. Here is what this will look like:
Children's Editorial - months 1-3
Key activities
As editorial intern you will support the editorial teams across all editorial functions, including:
- General admin and editorial admin, including (but not limited to): running reports (TCM, TMM, etc)
- To assist as required with copy editing, proof reading, collations, creating prelims and endmatter, checking permissions
- Checking copy for electronic sales kits, marketing material, catalogues, websites and newsletters
- Reading and reporting on manuscripts
- Writing cover briefs and cover copy and completing TIs (with manager approval)
- Developing and maintaining content on the databases
- Taking minutes in meetings and circulating them promptly
What you will learn
The publishing process; how a book is edited and produced; how the editorial team liaises with other departments, and how it makes decisions around acquisitions.
What we are looking for
A love of books and desire to make a career within the publishing industry.
Children's Sales (months 4-6)
Key activities
As sales intern, key activities will be as follows:
- You will work alongside the sales team and assist in the creation of sales presentations as required
- You will also help to create and maintain sales databases and customer sales spreadsheets
- You will attend a wide range of customer presentations, including one or more day(s) out on the road with a regional sales rep presenting to independent bookshops
- You will also attend key account presentations to supermarkets/WHS/digital customers (exact retailers dependent on sales cycles and timings)
- You will attend internal sales meetings and be asked to give feedback on potential sales outlets for books
- You will attend Client publisher presentations
- You will also spend time within the Export sales department and help prepare international sales presentations
What you will learn
You will gain an understanding of the UK retail landscape for books across all formats and genres, and the the strengths and sales potential of various areas of the market. You will learn how to tailor presentations to different customers according to the strengths of each, and also the value of relationship building when dealing with external retailers. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of the tools needed in order to sell books effectively and the value of sales analysis in that process.
What we are looking for
A basic interest in books and people and the desire to learn about all areas of the publishing industry. A basic knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint would be helpful.
Children's Marketing & Publicity (months 7-9)
Key activities
The focus of Marketing and Publicity is on getting the books into the hands of readers everywhere, whether through press coverage, advertising or social media.
- You will be shadowing marketing and publicity managers and helping them bring some of their biggest campaigns to life
- You will be given your own campaign to work on from beginning to end and coached through the whole exercise
- Assist with general departmental administration
- You will create assets and write copy for social media and press releases and help to pitch titles to journalists
- You will have the opportunity to attend author events and book festivals.
What you will learn
How to think critically and creatively about marketing and publicising books and what the process involves; about different media outlets and how the publisher puts its authors forward; an understanding of the media and advertising landscape; how author events work, and how marketing and publicity works alongside editorial and sales colleagues.
What we are looking for
No specific work experience is required but a desire to work in publishing and personal understanding of social media is a plus.
To apply
- Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
- Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
- Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
- Do not contact the company directly
- Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address:
This opportunity is only open to individuals from a group that is under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment / transitioning and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying/mentoring, and more.