Celebrating SYP’s 75th Birthday

How the Society Has Developed into Your Perfect Resource

The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) has been the premier resource for young people looking to gain access to or advance within the publishing industry for over seven decades. Serving each country within the United Kingdom, as well as the Republic of Ireland, this volunteer-run organisation has worked tirelessly to make the publishing landscape more accessible and to curate a sense of community and belonging for new additions to the industry.

The SYP has not always been the perfect resource for Publishing Hopefuls, or those who are looking for their first foothold in the industry. In fact, it was only within the last twenty years that the Society has been open to those who did not have an established career prior to requesting membership. The SYP has grown and changed significantly through the years, becoming what we recognise today as the primary resource for recent graduates, career changers, and immigrants looking to navigate the publishing world in the UK.

SYP Through the Decades

The Society was officially formed in 1949, with roots dating one year prior; the main reason the Society was created stems from an issue the founders had noticed and tracked for ten years – that there were a disproportionate number of resources and courses for publishers as compared to other trades. Open to both men and women, the Society demonstrated their commitment to equality from the beginning. 

The Society’s first Honorary Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Foster, noted in The Bookseller’s November 6, 1948 edition that the founders recognised the high quantity of young people joining the workforce or switching professions and requiring help to break into the industry, but were unable to accommodate those potential members. At the Society’s conception, they focused solely on young professionals who have already established themselves in the working world. 

Since the Society began, they have worked tirelessly to support young professionals in new and innovative ways, constantly growing and changing the organisation to better benefit the greatest number of people and incorporate all demographics. More details about the history of the Society can be found here.

The 1950s 

In the first decade that the organisation operated, their methods revolved around discussion groups, in which the leaders of the organisation invited prominent publishing professionals to lead lectures to and exchange ideas with the members. They took field trips to discover how foreign publishing fields were developing, and finding new ways to increase efficiency and accessibility in the motherland. 

Membership at this time was restricted to only 40 members, as the young organisation could not accommodate a large number within the discussion group-style meetings. Further, one could only be considered for membership if they were between the ages of 20 and 35, and if they had an established career in the industry.

The 1960s

The 60s saw an increased membership as the Society expanded, leading to bigger talks and events. The SYP hosted discussions on more critical topics, broadening from simple personal advancement to analysing industry-altering ideas. These ideas include censorship and the changing landscape of bookselling, among other crucial topics. 

The 1970s

The next decade, the SYP increased their initiatives to aid members, including the establishment of resources to help new mothers return to work within the industry. The Society also released the first salary survey in the industry, which is still maintained today. This survey helps young publishers understand the average salaries for their positions and how much they could reasonably negotiate their contracts, as well as demonstrating the ongoing issues with compensation within the industry – a popular topic among industry reformationists. 

The 1980s

The Society used the 80s to strengthen their ties with foreign publishing organisations, attempting to create a worldwide, mutually beneficial and accessible industry. They also held further discussions and released more resources pointing out the issues within the industry, allowing for a transparent view for potential and young publishers and calling for a more effective reform of the industry as a whole. 

The 1990s

This decade marked the most drastic change in the Society’s membership criteria, allowing for a more inclusive, wide-reaching organisation. The SYP removed the upper age limit for members, completely redefining what it means to be a ‘young publisher.’ Rather than being young in age, the SYP considers a ‘young publisher’ to be any person with ten years or less of industry experience. 

This expansion involved the opening of a new branch as well – SYP Oxford. This branch marked the first venture of the Society outside of London, allowing accessibility to the industry to reach outside the capital.

The 2000s and Beyond

The modern Society of Young Publishers seems almost unrecognisable from its first iteration. The turn of the century brought an open membership, the opening of additional branches (SYP Scotland in 2009; SYP North [England], SYP Ireland, SYP South Wales, and SYP UK [to oversee all branches] between the years of 2011 and 2018), and a new Mentorship Scheme which allows members to be placed with an industry professional for personalised advice and development plans. 

The Society plans to continue this expansion, constantly redeveloping to maintain the influence over the industry it has enjoyed for 75 years. The main goal of the organisation is, and has always been, to help every publisher receive the support and guidance necessary to advance their career. They plan to achieve this by improving industry accessibility and redesigning their resource centre, leading to the ‘[improvement of] regional diversification and [making] publishing accessible to those outside the capital, as well as [the encouragement of] inclusive practices across the board.’

The Society’s Birthday Present to You

To celebrate their 75th birthday, the Society of Young Publishers has launched their Bridges initiative, allowing new or potential publishers to connect with Society alumni in a mutual exchange of experiences and ideas, including the discussion of career advice, industry trends, and experiences within the SYP. These interactions will last a total of 75 minutes and are completely virtual. This initiative is open only to members of the Society, and requires a short but competitive application process, which is currently open.

Joining the Society of Young Publishers

The Society offers different membership options depending on what one requires from the organisation, as well as one’s status in the publishing industry at the time of application. A digital-only membership is less expensive, but does not offer full access to events and print resources. For a full membership, price is dependent on one’s status; students or unwaged professionals, such as publishing interns or potential career changers, receive full amenities for a lesser fee than established professionals.

Benefits of Becoming an SYP Member

The Society of Young Publishers offers a community of driven, like-minded individuals with whom members can establish a network, both personal and professional. It also offers events, workshops, and organised networking opportunities. These events often include the appearance of experienced publishing professionals, who can help guide members and give seasoned advice and insight into the industry. 

While membership is not necessary to take advantage of the Society’s many benefits, extra opportunities and discounts are available to members, such as: free or discounted entry to events, including annual conferences and workshops; exclusive, member-only events; a quarterly magazine; resource centre; and job board. Further, the SYP partners with multiple other publishing-specific organisations to offer members special discounts. 

Want to try out SYP for free for one year? Apply for the brand new First Chapter Awards initiative, in which you can nominate yourself or any publishing pal in the first five years of their career who shows tremendous passion for the industry and support to other early career or publishing hopefuls. Successful applicants will receive a one year free membership to the Society of Young Publishers, an offer to be a panellist and attend an awards ceremony at the SYP London Conference, and a multitude of prizes from across the industry. This application closes on the 31st of August, so hurry for your chance to win!