Publishing Internships

Can you get an internship in publishing?

Yes! You can absolutely get an internship in publishing, and it’s one of the best ways to start your career in the industry. 

Many publishing houses, both large and independent, offer structured internship programmes, especially during the summer. They can last for one to six months and are most usually paid positions. We only ever advertise paid publishing internships on Higherin.

Internships are mostly aimed at university students or recent graduates and can cover a wide range of areas, including editorial, marketing, publicity, design, and production.

Why should you do a publishing internship?

A publishing internship is a great way to get real-world experience in an industry that’s competitive, fast-paced, and full of creative opportunity. Whether you're interested in editing, marketing, design, or production, an internship lets you see how books, magazines, or digital content go from idea to publication. 

You'll learn how publishing teams work, gain insight into different roles, and build practical skills, all while making valuable industry connections.

Internships also help you figure out what areas of publishing suit you best. By working on live projects and shadowing professionals, you’ll develop confidence, improve your CV, and stand out when applying for future jobs or graduate schemes. 

For anyone considering a career in publishing, an internship offers a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to bring stories and ideas to life.

What type of publishing internships are there?

You might think of book publishing when you hear publishing, and you’re almost right. Three types of publishing exist for you to stick your nose into. And the great news is you’ll find publishing internships for each of them.

• Consumer/Trade publishing. This widely known form of publishing includes everything from fiction and non-fiction books to magazines.

• Education publishing. Textbooks, online teaching resources and school revision guides can be found in this sector. 

• Academic and professional publishing. JSTOR fans, stand up! This publishing section is where academic journals, texts, STM (scientific, technical, medical), and monographs are found.

For the most part, publishing internships will fall under the traditional publishing route. You’ll find that their books take up a high percentage of the shelves in a bookstore. Traditional publishers pay an author an advance to buy the full rights to distribute, publish and sell their book. 

Also known as the “Big-5”, the biggest traditional publishers are:

• Hachette

• HarperCollins

• Macmillan

• Penguin Random House

• Simon & Schuster.

Outside of that, there are many other massive publishing houses, including:

• Grove Atlantic

• Hay House

• McGraw-Hill

• Sterling

• Wiley.

Who could I work for?

Fun fact, there are over 900 publishers in the UK. Most of which are looking for some eager future talent (like yourself) to join them.

If you want to get the heavy hitters of publishing on your CV, look towards the big and medium-sized publishing houses. Or if working as part of a close-knit team interests you, a small publishing house would be on the books.

Here are some publishers who offer internships:

Penguin Random House

It’s an absolute powerhouse of a publisher with 250 divisions, over 10,000 employees worldwide and 183 years of publishing dominance. Plus, it’s published some of the world’s best-selling books, including Prince Harry’s Spare.

Its emerging talent programmes include an internship scheme that runs between July and August, where you’ll be in charge of a project.

Penguin Random House also offers two weeks paid work experience that you can do at any time throughout the year.

Harper Collins Publishers

Founded in 1817, Harper Collins is the second-largest publishing house in the world and has published some of the most-revered authors, including C. S. Lewis, Agatha Christie and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Harper Collins offers three paid publishing internships throughout the year. A summer internship and an autumn/spring internship.

The summer internship runs between June and August and lasts 10 weeks in North America. During this time, interns will learn about publishing and will include presentations from the industry’s finest. There’s also an icebreaker bowling trip to look forward to.

Autumn and spring internships also last 10 weeks and are open to undergraduates.

CGP Books

Remember those GCSE workbooks with super cheesy jokes? Well, CGP Books are the people behind them, and it offers paid internships.

CGP Books accepts CVs and cover letters anytime and keeps your details on file until an opening becomes available. Its graduate internship scheme runs for six months, and you’ll be based in the stunning Lake District (imagine the lunchtime walks). CGP Books are looking for interns who:

• Have a degree

• A quick learner with a curious mind

• Flexible and keen to muck in with the team

• Happy working with technology and unfamiliar software

• A confident communicator

• Methodical, meticulous and a brilliant problem-solver.

Conde Nast UK

Known for its world-class portfolio of brands, including Vogue, The Guardian, and Wired, Condé Nast UK provides a dynamic environment where creativity, innovation, and passion for storytelling come to life.

Even better, they are looking for summer interns!

Programme details:

• Duration: 10 weeks

• Location: Onsite London office

Eligibility:

• Over 18 and have the legal right to work in the UK

• Undergraduate Senior: graduating in 2026

How much do publishing interns get paid?

This will depend on your location and employer. On average, publishing interns get paid £15,600 per year. 

However, this is only the start! Publishers are in demand, so by having done an internship, you will be able to make proper headway in the industry after you graduate. 

How to apply for a publishing internship

To apply for a publishing internship, start by researching opportunities through Higherin, publisher websites, and careers services at your university. 

Big names like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette often run annual summer programmes with clear application windows and instructions. Smaller independent publishers may advertise roles on social media, or their websites.

Most applications will ask for a CV and cover letter outlining why you want to work in publishing, what skills you bring, and what interests you about the specific role or company. Some may ask for a short writing sample or task, especially for editorial roles. 

Make sure to show your passion for books and attention to detail, two qualities highly valued in the industry. And don’t worry if you don’t have prior publishing experience; transferable skills from university, volunteering, or part-time jobs can all strengthen your application.