The Society of Young Publishers (SYP): 75 years young
The 1940s: filling a post-war need
Since forming in 1949, the SYP has committed to de-mystifying and sharing insights into the world of UK publishing, boosting opportunities for those within – or looking to enter – the industry. Its core function is to support junior publishing staff by offering ways to connect and develop. The activities and initiatives may have changed over time, but the Society’s mission has remained.
The SYP first met in 1948, with the Constitution officially formed in 1949, having recognised that there was a skills gap post-war within the publishing industry. Membership was limited to those already working in publishing, aged between 20 and 35. The early Society revealed daily goings-on at publishing houses, with excursions to Oxford and Cambridge University Presses. Trips to Europe were organised to engage with the German book trade and gain an international publishing perspective. In the 1960s, the focus shifted from in-person visits to publishing locales, to industry talks and events, inviting prominent publishing professionals to speak at meetings. Here, the SYP laid the foundation for what would continue to be a core tenet of its activities into the 21st century: expert-led discussions and presentations.
The 1970s: fighting for equality and transparency
The 1970s saw an expanded committee – and new initiatives for its members. A crèche scheme was established, to help women get back to work after having children. This made the work/childcare balance fairer, enabling them to forge ahead with their careers.
In 1975, the first SYP salary survey was released, aiming to shine a light on poor pay levels for junior staff and encourage transparency. While no longer under the SYP umbrella, this landmark survey runs today, led by the founder of BookCareers.com and previous SYP Chair, Suzanne Collier.
The 1990s: towards a new century
During the 1990s, the SYP scrapped the age limit for membership, opening it to a wider pool of members and recognising that staff do not have to be ‘young’ to be junior. 1997 marked an expansion out of London, with the inauguration of SYP Oxford.
In more recent years, the SYP has become a more diverse organisation, welcoming anyone within publishing and related industries, and those aspiring to join the industry. The SYP began accepting members in bookselling, agenting, book charities and other publishing-related trades. Resources were created for those in academic, education and magazine publishing, and others from the traditional book trade.
The 21st century: publishing for all
In 2009 the SYP celebrated its 60th anniversary, and relaunched the Scotland branch. Between 2011 and 2018, four more branches opened: SYP North, SYP UK, SYP Ireland and SYP South West, with SYP Wales opening in 2023. These new branches marked the beginning of a focus on regional diversification and decentralising the industry to make it accessible outside the capital.
2009 also saw the first iteration of what would become the SYP annual mentorship scheme: this supported 10 individuals at the early stages of their publishing careers. The Scotland Committee began recruiting members for their own mentorship scheme in 2021. In 2015, group mentoring sessions were introduced, encouraging broader knowledge-sharing among 5–10 participants. In 2020, in line with the new branches, SYP expanded its mentorship schemes to cover all areas of the UK and Ireland. Two branches initiated a ‘Launch’ stream of the scheme, aiming to support those looking to develop a freelance career or start a publishing business.
The Society has launched new initiatives to support its members and the wider publishing industry. From masterclasses and skills workshops, to networking events and supporting the London Book Fair’s Trailblazer’s Award, the SYP continues to inspire members and non-members alike. In 2023, it became home to the Spare Room Project (established by James Spackman in 2016) providing a place to stay in London while attending interviews or internships. The Spare Zoom Project was also taken under the SYP's wing, offering a digital access point between junior and senior industry members, pairing them for 30-minute sessions.
Now in its 75th year, the SYP continues to offer high-quality and innovative initiatives. The members-only Resource Centre will feature new content; the alumni network has been revamped to recognise the legacy of past committees. This includes bespoke alumni resources and newsletter, panel opportunities, alumni articles and interviews and content opportunities, such as spotlights on the SYP blog and podcast.
Later this year the SYP will launch SYP Bridges – a one-time mentorship session whereby alumni and current members share knowledge and provide an upwards mentoring opportunity. “We aim to push the boundary of what ‘mentorship’ is, and break the mould to encourage learning and development to take place for the mentor, as well as for the mentee” – Michaela O’Callaghan and Eleanor Gaffney, SYP UK 2024 Co-Chairs.
