THE SOCIETY OF YOUNG PUBLISHERS (SYP) CELEBRATES ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY AND LAUNCHES A REVERSE-MENTORING INITIATIVE.

In addition to the above initiatives, the SYP is also highlighting the anniversary year through special digital campaigns, including Alumni spotlights and a #FromTheArchives social media campaign, which aims to shed light on early SYP activities using material curated by the SYP Archivist, Maria Vassilopoulos.

SYP Bridges is a standalone one-time mentorship session pairing up alumni and SYP members to share knowledge and provide an upwards mentoring opportunity. The sessions will last 75-minutes and aim to bring together current and previous generations of SYP membership, to allow both mentee and mentor to learn from one another, and provide an opportunity for reflection on the SYP and its activities, past and present. SYP Bridge applications for members opens in July through the SYP website: thesyp.org.uk/syp-bridges/

The UK and London branch will be hosting a general 75th Anniversary party on 17 August at The Albany and would be delighted to welcome SYP alumni, partners, industry connections, and any hopefuls or early career professionals, to celebrate the SYP and the people who have made it what it is over the years.

In the run up to this event, the rest of the regional branches will be running 75th celebrations in their own areas, all connected up through shared material and support.

On the SYP’s milestone anniversary, UK Co-Chairs Michaela O’Callaghan and Eleanor Gaffney said:

‘Operating as UK Chairs in the SYP’s 75th anniversary has been an absolute pleasure. Reconnecting with SYP alumni has helped to consolidate what we already knew: that it is the relationships built with fellow hopefuls and early-career professionals that makes SYP such an important part of the publishing industry. The fact that SYP offers a range of upskilling opportunities, as either a volunteer or member, and works to demystify the industry and make it more accessible, further displays how much SYP has offered the industry over the years, and how much more it can offer for years to come.’

Since its formation in 1949, the SYP has aimed to help those in publishing (or a related field) get INTO and AHEAD in the industry. They aim to share knowledge and insight, and support a culture of community and connection through regular panel events, workshops and networking sessions.

Originally, the SYP was London-based and only open to members under 35 who already worked in publishing. Now, the society operates branches in all countries within the UK and Ireland and aims to improve regional diversification and make publishing accessible to those

outside of the capital, as well as encouraging inclusive practices across the board. Membership is also open to anyone with less than ten years’ experience in the industry, including students, the unwaged, and those changing careers or re-entering the industry after a break.

‘For our 75th anniversary, we really want to draw attention to the regional makeup of the SYP. Originally formed in London, over the past ten years SYP has expanded our number of branches significantly with 8 branches now working to build communities and offer support to early-career professionals and hopefuls in their relevant areas. It is important to us that we recognise this work and celebrate each and every individual across the UK and Ireland who has supported SYP over the years.’

An SYP alumna said of the regional opportunities with the SYP, ‘The SYP was instrumental to me in my early career in publishing, without it I feel I would have struggled to meet my peers in Manchester and across the North more broadly. Those who I met during my time volunteering on the committee had a real influence on me, and have since helped me find jobs, or given me sage advice. Being on the committee also helped me develop my networking, communication and leadership skills in my own time too. I have been recommending the SYP to young and early career publishers ever since!’

In addition to regular events the SYP currently runs a mentorship scheme, a blog, a podcast, a jobs board, and annual conferences in both England and Scotland. They also run regional diversity initiatives such as the Spare Room Project and the Spare Zoom Project.

You can follow SYP 75th Anniversary activities and take a closer look at SYP history on the SYP website: thesyp.org.uk/syp75/.

If you are an SYP alumna and would like to take part in SYP Bridges or any of the other 75th anniversary activities, please get in touch with the UK Alumni Officer at alumni@thesyp.org.uk.

The SYP would like to thank Inspired Selection and the Publishing Training Centre for their sponsorship of the 75th Anniversary celebrations, and Bloomsbury Publishing for their support.