My Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook Internship Story

Breaking into the UK publishing industry, especially as an international student, can feel like trying to win the lottery. Internships are competitive, few and far between, and often quite elusive. This year alone, I’ve applied to over 50 internships or work experience placements, and only heard back from four. It’s far from easy and can be discouraging, but the hope of getting your foot in the door is what keeps you going.

That’s why I’m especially grateful to Oxford Brookes University for sharing the internship opportunity with the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook and equipping me with the skills, support, and encouragement that I needed to apply and navigate the role with confidence.

Being an editorial intern for the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook was one of the most rewarding and affirming experiences I’ve had so far on my publishing journey, and one that felt like a natural fit for me with its focus on copyediting and proofreading. 

Inside the internship

Throughout my internship, I had the chance to copy edit and proofread entries for the 2026 editions of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook and the Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. I reviewed listings and articles, checked contact and reference details for accuracy, and ensured consistency in tone and formatting, all with the goal of keeping the Yearbook aligned with its trusted reputation. 

The work was very hands-on, and I felt genuinely valued throughout the process. The team gave me space to contribute meaningfully which made each task feel exciting and purposeful. Because the team was small, I had opportunities to give input and exercise a degree of editorial judgement, which I found really motivating. 

One of the most exciting parts of the internship, and my personal favourite, was being involved in the final rounds of proofing. By that stage, the Yearbooks were nearly complete and the focus shifted to fine-tuning the entire reading experience. I had the chance to slow down and really consider elements like flow, readability, layout, and consistency. Whether it was confirming cross-references in the listings or adjusting spacing to avoid orphans and widows, every small detail came back to the same question: how will this feel to our reader?

So much care and intentionality goes into the process to make the final product feel seamless. When editing is done well, you don’t even notice it. This invisible work of the editor really inspired me where every small decision supports the reader’s experience and makes the text more reliable and accessible. 

By the end, I felt quite attached to the Yearbooks. After spending so many weeks reading and re-reading, it was incredibly rewarding to know that I played a small part in bringing them across the finish line. I have always enjoyed editing, but this internship helped me fall back in love with it. The feeling of having a red pen in hand and getting to shape the text purposefully was something I came to really savour. I thoroughly enjoyed working on the Yearbooks, and I’m so grateful for the chance to learn, contribute, and grow in the process.

Three takeaways from my internship:

1. Being part of such a close-knit team gave me the opportunity to see how every detail is considered and contribute meaningfully to the Yearbooks. I wasn’t just observing. I was part of the process. It helped build my confidence and gave me a clearer picture of how collaborative publishing is. 
    
2. I used to worry that asking too many questions might seem like I didn’t know what I was doing, but I quickly realised that thoughtful questions are part of being a good editor. Whether it was querying something that didn’t look quite right or asking for clarity about the style guide, these questions showed that I was engaged and invested in getting it right. 
    
3. It’s easy to underestimate the small jobs like checking a link or confirming a hyphen, but these tasks are what keep the book polished and professional. Details are truly everything, and I learned how even the most behind-the-scenes contributions add value.

This internship with the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook was truly a dream opportunity for me and I have really enjoyed my time working with the team and growing as a proofreader. As I near the end of my Publishing MA, this hands-on experience has been invaluable in helping me expand my skills and build confidence. Alongside volunteering as Communications Officer for the Society of Young Publishers Oxford and participating in events like the London Book Fair and Oxford Literary Festival, I’ve seen the publishing world come to life in new ways and gained a clearer sense of where I hope to contribute in the future. 

I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in developing their editorial skills and gaining practical, meaningful experience. Breaking into publishing can feel daunting, but opportunities like this have shown me that with perseverance and a willingness to learn, doors do open. This experience has meant so much to me, and I can’t wait to see where the path leads next.

Kathryn Alley is a Publishing MA student at Oxford Brookes University. She works as an Editorial Intern at Berghahn Books and serves as Communications Lead (Social Media) for Society of Young Publishers Oxford. Her interests lie in editorial, international rights, and children’s publishing, where she hopes to combine her love of stories with thoughtful, detail-oriented work.