Applications for the 2025 Carole Blake Open Doors Project will open in the late spring

‘Carole didn't just leave the door on the latch – she flung it wide open, ushered you inside, poured you a glass of champagne and introduced you to everyone in the room.’ — Francesca Main, Publisher of Phoenix Books, and former Blake Friedmann intern

ABOUT
The Carole Blake Open Doors Project is a programme specifically aimed at encouraging candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds to enter the publishing industry.

Carole Blake was born in south London, and grew up in a house which did not have many books. When she left school at the age of sixteen, with hopes of becoming a librarian, she found a job as secretary at George Rainbird Publishing. The experience kick-started her love of art, broadened her education, and introduced her to the classics. She moved to Michael Joseph in 1970, becoming the publisher’s first Rights Manager, and in 1975 joined Sphere Publishing to run their rights, contracts and publicity teams. After founding her own literary agency with some of the authors she’d come to know and love, Carole merged agencies with Julian Friedmann in 1982 to create the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

Carole died in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of supporting colleagues and people looking to enter the publishing industry. The Carole Blake Open Doors Project was set up shortly after her death, to continue her endeavours and the spirit of paying it forward. The Blake Friedmann team have always placed great value on inclusivity and openness, in the company's client list as well as its hiring practices. We aim to build on this foundation and be proactive about drawing from a wider pool of talented applicants who are passionate about books and ambitious about getting a job in publishing.

We’re grateful to The Book Trade Charity (BTBS) for their support of this initiative, and to others who have offered to help in many ways including, crucially, with their time and experience.

‘Carole offered me my first internship in publishing at Blake Friedmann. She was a formidable figure, yet warm and funny. She was deeply encouraging to me as one from a diverse background based on my age, class and race – though it was our mutual love of a great pair of shoes that really sealed the deal! An unforgettable, truly phenomenal woman.’ – Valerie Brandes, Founder & Publisher, Jacaranda Books

You can read accounts of their time with us from our previous Open Doors interns, Ada Igwegbu, Connor Faulkner, Tabitha Topping, Kate Southam, and our first ever Open Doors mentee Máiréad Lennon.

Terms and conditions1. By applying to participate in the Carole Blake Open Doors Project, applicants agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.2. In addition to the parameters set out in clause 3 below, applications to participate are open to candidates aged 18 or over who are a resident of the UK, except for the employees (and their families) of Blake Friedmann Literary Agency or The Book Trade Charity.3. This opportunity is only open to candidates who come from backgrounds under-represented in the publishing industry. This will be self-defined by the applicant as part of the application process and assessed by Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. In particular, this will likely include candidates from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds, candidates who have a disability, candidates from outside the London area, candidates without a degree, and candidates who come from a socio-economically marginalised background.4. The closing date for the submission of applications is 23:59 on Monday 6th September 2021.5. All applications must include the applicant's full name and contact details.6. If initially unsuccessful, applicants may apply to programmes in the future.7. Applications that are received after the closing date will not be considered. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency is not responsible for illegible, incomplete, delayed or lost entries. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.8. All valid entries will be assessed by a panel of current Blake Friedmann Literary Agency employees. The panel will choose a shortlist of up to five (5) applicants. The successful applicants will be those the panel believes show the most promise.9. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency regrets that it will not enter into correspondence or give feedback on individual entries (other than that to be provided to the successful shortlisted applicants).10. Successful applicants will be notified by email on or before 17th September 2021. Successful applicants must either accept or decline their invitation within seven (7) days of being notified of their shortlisting. If successful applicants have not confirmed their continued interest by this time, the invitation will lapse and Blake Friedmann Literary Agency reserves the right to offer the invitation to a substitute applicant selected in accordance with these rules.11. The decision of the panel is final. No correspondence will be entered into.12. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency will offer designated accommodation for a period of one (1) week (up to six (6) consecutive nights in total) in conjunction with The Book Trade Charity and shall cover the cost of one standard class return journey from the applicant’s home (if outside the Greater London area) to the Accommodation. Travel will be booked in advance, by Blake Friedmann Literary Agency on behalf of the applicant, wherever possible. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency will not accept liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense (other than stated above) suffered or incurred by an applicant as a result of accepting the invitation to participate or as a result of damage to or loss of applicant’s property at the Accommodation or at the agency. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency will additionally pay the applicant the London Living Wage (£10.85 per hour) for ten days’ full-time work (whether those ten days are worked consecutively or spread over a longer period); exact hours TBC.13. Applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, and over the age of 18 at the time of making their application. 14. None of the elements of this opportunity may be transferred by successful applicants and no alternative (cash or otherwise) will be available or offered.15. For the avoidance of doubt, the provision by Blake Friedmann Literary Agency of the opportunity to participate in the Carole Blake Open Doors Project programme shall not be interpreted as a commitment to employ a successful applicant.16. Events may occur that render the Carole Blake Open Doors Project programme impossible to fulfil due to reasons beyond the control of Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency may, at its absolute discretion, vary, amend or suspend the Carole Blake Open Doors Project programme without notice. No correspondence will be entered into.17. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency may disqualify any applicants whose application does not comply with these terms or whose actions, in Blake Friedmann Literary Agency’s determination, are fraudulent, dishonest, criminal or unjust to other applicants.18. Blake Friedmann Literary Agency will use the personal details of applicants only for the purposes of administering this opportunity and for any other purposes for which an applicant has expressly consented. Applicants consent to the use of their personal data for these purposes. Personal details of unsuccessful applicants will not be kept on file by Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.19. These terms are governed by the laws of England.20. Agency Contact: Blake Friedmann Literary Agency Ltd, Ground Floor, 15 Highbury Place, London, N5 1QP