Fast Facts

Join Sourcebooks as a Summer Intern in Publishing Operations/Cover Production Design where you will gain hands-on experience in book publishing, contribute to real publicity campaigns, and collaborate with a creative team.

Responsibilities: Assist the Covers Production team in creating visually appealing book covers, manage project timelines, and support the full-cover production process while maintaining high standards.

Skills: Strong typography and design skills, experience with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines, and effective communication skills.

Qualifications: Ideal candidates are current college students or recent graduates with a passion for design, a love of books, and a desire to learn in a collaborative environment.

Location: Naperville, IL.

Compensation: $17 - $17 / Hourly

Publishing Operations/Cover Production Design Summer Internship (Naperville, IL)

Ready to launch your career in book publishing? Join Sourcebooks, the fastest growing publisher in the U.S., and the home of an unparalleled number of bestselling books where creativity, innovation, and storytelling collide. We’re a team of passionate book lovers who bring extraordinary authors to readers in bold, data-driven, and entrepreneurial ways. 

👉 This isn’t a coffee-run internship. You’ll contribute meaningfully to projects, collaborate with publishing professionals, and discover how your ideas can impact readers everywhere. 

This internship is ideal for a current college student or recent graduate eager to dive into the world of book publishing — especially the side that connects books with media, events, and promotion with the readers. You’ll get hands-on experience working on real publicity campaigns, collaborating with passionate team members, and you’ll learn how publicity helps stories reach new audiences.

About the Program 

• When: June 9 – August 13, 2026
• Where: Naperville, IL ($17.00/hourly)
• Schedule: 24 hours/week (2 days in-person, 1 day remote) 
• Who: Current college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent grads 

We are seeking a creative and organized Production Design Intern to join our team! In this role, you will support the Adult & YA Covers Production team by assisting in the production of visually compelling covers across categories. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about design, eager to learn, and looking to grow in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Production Design Intern Responsibilities:

• Support to the Covers Production team, assisting in the creation of book jackets and visual assets across all Adult & YA imprints, while maintaining high standards of quality and consistency.
• Explore design trends and industry aesthetics that range from design to manufacturing specifications.
• Support the full-cover production process and learn the technical skills to ensure all elements meet final print-ready requirements. 
• Assist in art buying and research, ensuring high-quality visuals are sourced for projects. 
• Track progress of assigned projects and manage time effectively to meet creative and production deadlines
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Skills & Qualifications:

• Strong typography skills and an eye for design, with the ability to create visually appealing layouts.
• Experience in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop (Mac-based environment).
• Ability to work across multiple projects with tight deadlines, demonstrating flexibility and creativity under pressure.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to take creative feedback constructively to improve designs.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team, contributing creative ideas and collaborating effectively.
• Growth mindset with a focus on quality and continuous improvement, eager to learn and develop new skills.
• A love of books!

What You’ll Gain:

• An understanding of print-design processes; including layout, preflight, file QC, color management, and printer specifications.
• Knowledge of book production, from ARCs to full-covers.
• Technical experience working in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Photoshop.)
• Valuable production experience, with market-ready projects you can include in your personal portfolio.

Your Cover Letter Matters — A Lot! 

We want to know why you want to intern at Sourcebooks. Your cover letter is your chance to tell us: 

• Why publishing — and why Sourcebooks — excites you 
• What you hope to learn and contribute 
• How your creativity, curiosity, or love of books shines through 

*Applications without a cover letter won’t be considered, so take the time to tell your story! 

Why Sourcebooks? 

• Named #2 Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek (2024) 
• Recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies (2024) 
• Over 300 million lives changed through books — and counting 
• A culture built on creativity, innovation, and impact 

Application Deadline: January 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT - Applications will be reviewed after the deadline.  

Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.