Established in 1949, the Society of Young Publishers is open to anyone in publishing or a related trade (in any capacity) - or who is hoping to be soon. Originally aimed at the 18-35 age bracket, we realised that many people are looking to change careers at any stage of life. As such anyone interested or working in the publishing industry is welcome to join the Society. The only exception is that those who have been in the industry for more than 10 years are not able to stand on the committee. For more details of the way we run, please view our constitution. We have two branches of the SYP - one in London and one in Oxford, each offering all the services and opportunities outlined below. For more details on what the Oxford branch is doing, visit the Oxford SYP Webpage.
The Society of Young Publishers is a voluntary organisation and is run by a committee of dedicated volunteers who give up their spare time to help others take their first steps into the industry and progress within it. All members are particularly encouraged to join the committee or become otherwise involved in the running of the society. Getting involved is the best way to make new friends, meet new contacts and increase your skillset for getting into, and progressing in, the publishing industry.
We offer a variety of membership packages, all of which include the opportunities and services listed below. The way most people join is as an individual member, but with more and more companies and universities taking an interest in the Society, we have recently launched our Company Membership Scheme. This offers all the benefits of a full membership as outlined below, but with discounts of up to 35% off!
For just £30 annual subscription (£24 for students or unwaged), UK members will get a complete package of:
Monthly Speaker Meetings
Each month the SYP discusses a topic of relevance to the current publishing scene. Past topics have included marketing, internet bookselling, literary agents, commissioning, editorial roles, selling rights, children's book publishing, production and publicity. Guest speakers are drawn from a wide background and we try to balance the meetings so that different opinions are represented. Check the website regularly for details of forthcoming events,also detailed in our press emails and on our Facebook group page (The Society of Young Publishers and Friends, click here). Entrance is FREE to members and £5 for non-members. We also have a branch in Oxford and your membership automatically covers both London and Oxford meetings.
InPrint
The SYP's small format magazine (approx 5 issues a year), mailed free to UK members, keeps you up to date with SYP activities and what's going on in the rest of publishing. InPrint provides a selection of articles, guest interviews and reports, and acts as a platform for the interchange of opinion and ideas. You'll find additional content, including various blogs, on InPrint Online (visit the InPrint microsite via http://inprint.thesyp.org.uk). We are now in the process of updating our online archive of back print issues. New overseas members will be sent InPrint in pdf format via email. All members are welcome to contribute articles or get involved with the running of the magazine.
Job Database
Sign up for the SYP Jobs Bulletin! This is a free service available to members. We receive regular notice of situations vacant, often before they are advertised, which we forward on electronically to those members who have signed up to the Bulletin. Contact the Membership Secretary to sign up, or the Jobs Bulletin Co-ordinator to notify us of a forthcoming position in your company. Please note that as we are not an employment agency, we do not guarantee any level of response nor do we vet applicants or potential employers.
Press emails
Sign up to the London and/or Oxford press emails and to receive regular reminders and updated details of all forthcoming SYP events, any other SYP news, and a heads-up on other book-ish events going on in London and Oxford.
Trade discounts
The SYP frequently secures competitive discounts for its members on training courses, subscriptions and events - up-to-date discounts can be found on the offers page. Members also receive a 10% discount at Foyles bookshop when they show their membership card.
Annual Conference
The SYP organises an annual all-day conference involving lectures and workshops run by senior industry figures on various aspects and skills relevant to working in publishing. This normally takes place in November. There is a fee for this event, but SYP members are entitled to a discount.
Contacts
The SYP is one of the few regular meeting places for people in publishing, and one of its most important benefits is the network of informal contacts and friendships you will make throughout the industry. We regularly organise social occasions, including Summer and New Year parties, and also co-host events with other organisations such as recruitment consultancies or publishing companies.
And More..!
The SYP is forever expanding its activities and services: we hold regular parties, social events, and offer regular careers advice, as well as working with other publishing organisations. We are always looking to broaden our services to members and are happy to receive any ideas or assistance.
