Meet the 2011 SYP Committee

Posted on February 24, 2011 in Uncategorized

SYP Chair: Ella Kahn from London
Currently works at Andrew Nurnberg Associates International Literary Agency.

I oversee the committee and ensure everyone is happy and doing their jobs smoothly. I’m also involved in maintaining our relationships with outside organisations like the PTC, Skillset, the PA, the IYP, the Jungeverlagsmenschen and BookTrust, and generally being an advocate of the SYP and answering any questions people might have!

What do you most like about the SYP?
I find there is a real sense of community – I love the opportunity it provides to meet interesting people, and have personally found the information, contacts and work experience placements advertised invaluable in my own career. And I love having an opportunity to share my enthusiasm for books and publishing with like-minded people and to help those interested in entering publishing take their first steps up the career ladder!

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book what would it have been?
Good question – any of my favourite authors I guess!

What was your favourite book as a child?
Just one? Impossible! Depends on my age too… authors is slightly easier: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Diana Wynne Jones, Brian Jaques, Susan Cooper, Michelle Magorian, Madeleine L’Engle, Ursula Le Guinn, Tamora Pierce… I could go on!

Favourite author?
At the moment, Robert J Sawyer, Stephen Baxter, Peter F Hamilton, who are all amazing sci fi authors, and Margaret Atwood’s more dystopian books. In the last couple of years I’ve also really enjoyed Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell, and some YA dystopia such as The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and Matched by Ally Condie. A great author who’s less well-known is Andrew Kaufman – go read All My Friends Are Superheroes or The Waterproof Bible!

What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding, but am mostly reading manuscripts for work at the moment to be honest!

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
Some would consider Sci Fi and Fantasy to be a guilty pleasure but I think it’s where some of the best literature, best plots, best characters, and most imagination is to be found.

Favourite bookshop in London?
The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill where I was always taken as a child, and Waterstones Picadilly – though I actually prefer the branch in Cambridge where I went to uni.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
I’ll have a look at the offer tables at the front of the shop to see what is new, then head to the sci-fi/fantasy and YA sections to browse for myself.

Favourite reading spot in London?
My bed, though I seem to do most of my reading commuting on the Victoria Line.

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Vice Chair: Naomi from Liverpool
Currently works at Titan Publishing

What do you most like about the SYP?
Spending time with a lot of like-minded people who understand the industry.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any bookwhat would it have been?
Definitely One Day – fantastic book – would have loved to have been involved in that. Failing that, the ultimate classic Pride and Prejudice.

What was your favourite book as a child?
I loved anything by Jacqueline Wilson.

Favourite author?
There are far too many to choose from!

What are you reading at the moment?
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

What Is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
I do love a bit of chick lit – Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella.

Favourite bookshop in London?
Waterstones in Piccadilly – so many books i could spend hours in there!

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Bestsellers or fiction.

Favourite reading spot in London?
Around the corner from where i work there is a little park that sits on the river.

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Treasurer: Alice Herbert from Dorset
Currently works at A&C Black

What do you most like about the SYP?
It is a great way to meet people, discuss issues about publishing and have fun.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book what would it have been?
I would choose to be the Commissioning Editor who discovered Harry Potter.

What was your favourite book as a child?
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl.

What are you reading at the moment?
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa.

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
Reading while eating chocolate.

Favourite bookshop in London?
Not in London but Bluebell Bookshop in Penrith and Barter Books in Alnwick are the best bookshops in the country.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop/library?
Fiction, then travel.

Favourite reading spot in London?
My bed.

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Social Coordinator: Lucia Sandin from Cuba and Russia
Currently work in market research

I am responsible for all the fun and non-educational events where SYP members can get to know each other without a ‘networking’ cloud over it. Members should get in touch with me with any questions about up-coming events, any ideas for new ones, or feedback on events they went to. I plan to make these events as varied and enjoyable as possible.

What do you most like about the SYP?
I really like the fact that it’s an easy going way to meet other publishing-mad people and also learn a lot of priceless information about how the industry works.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book what would it have been?
I think everyone has a few books they would like to have worked on, but if I would have to narrow it down I would say any Douglas Adams book, he must have been a laugh to work with!

What was your favourite book as a child?
A Cuban book about this lovely zoo in Havana. My parents read it to me many times and I would then go to the zoo and make friends with all the animals I learned about in the book.

Favourite author?
At the moment I am really enjoying Don Delillo. He somehow managed to completely capture my low attention span, in a way which very few authors have done since I was younger. I have to admit I don’t think there is such a thing as one favourite author, there are too many great ones for different times/moods in your life.

What are you reading at the moment?
Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses.

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
I did read a few of the Harry Potter books…oh and I quite enjoyed the sequel to Gone with the Wind.

Favourite bookshop in London?
I love this little book shop on Brick Lane, it doesn’t have loads of books but I always seem to leave with a heavy bag!

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
I love checking out the recommended reads from the people working in the bookshops. Some of them are masters at writing those! And I especially love finding a favourite read of mine on there.

Favourite reading spot in London?
I love Regent’s park in the summer, among the roses on a bench or by one of the ponds on a blanket…I think I am really missing summer!

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Membership Secretary: Alex Higson, from a tiny little village near Brighton.
Currently works at Jessica Kingsley Publishers

What do you most like about the SYP?
I enjoy meeting like-minded people with different experiences. It’s a great way to expand your publishing horizons beyond the company where you work or the course you’re studying.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book what would it have been?
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. This was my favourite book as a child and still is now. It’s an epic tale that opened my 14-year-old mind to new ideas about the world and how we humans treat one another, and every time I go back to it I feel like I’m learning something new about myself and how I want to live life.

What are you reading at the moment?
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I’d been looking forward to reading it for ages, since I heard about the film almost a year ago. Now I’m worried that it might end up being so good that I won’t want to see the film for fear of spoiling my imagination of it!

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
I have a rather naughty habit of flicking a few pages forward and skim reading what’s going to happen next. But now I’m reading from my Kindle I can’t get away with it so easily…

Favourite reading spot in London?
On the grass next to the lake in Regent’s Park (summertime only of course!).

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Junior Production/Design Officer: Christopher Cooley from Devon.
Currently studying magazine publishing at London College of Communication

What do you most like about the SYP?
I think the events the SYP run are great and set up with a nice format that usually involves a glass of wine or two.

What was your favourite book as a child?
The adventure series by Willard Price where two boys went to countries all over the world to try and capture animals for a zoo or solve animal related mysteries.

Favourite author?
Hard to tell, I did enjoy John Fantes – Bandini quartet a lot.

What are you reading at the moment?
Just My Type by Simon Garfield.

Favourite bookshop in London?
I like the Oxfam bookshop that I live above as they always have interesting window displays that they change frequently.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Travel.

Favourite reading spot in London?
Top deck of a double decker bus.

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Special Projects Officer: Bhavit Mehta from London
Runs two business: Saadhak Books (makes children’s picture books if Indian tales) and Amphora Arts, which produces the DSC South Asian Literature Festival.

I look after events and projects that need a bit of extra attention, such as the seminars at London Book Fair, and our partnerships with organisations like DIPNET, Skillset and other trade bodies.

What do you most like about the SYP?
The fact that it has helped so many people get their foot into the industry and achieve so many great things. I also like meeting new people at each of our events.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book what would it have been?
The Jungle Book… it’s full of all the ingredients needed for a successful book.

What was your favourite book as a child?
I have two: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & The Jungle Book

Favourite author?
Vikram Seth

What are you reading at the moment?
Saraswati Park by Anjalee Joseph

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
A huge cup of hot chocolate!

Favourite bookshop in London?
Foyles on Charing Cross Road

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop/library?
New releases and the Children’s section

Favourite reading spot in London?
Don’t really have a reading spot, but am more than happy reading on the trains in the underground!

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InDigital Commissioning Editor: Laura Givans from Sheffield
Currently works at the London Review of Books

I commission, edit and write articles for Indigital alongside Victoria. Email us with ideas or if you want to write for us at indigital@thesyp.org.uk

What was your favourite book as a child?
Brambley Hedge by Jill Barklem, The Faraway Tree books by Enid Blyton, Milly-Molly-Mandy by Joyce Lankester Brisley, everything by Roald Dahl.

Favourite author?
Angela Carter, Sarah Waters, Emily Bronte, Toni Morrison.

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
Jilly Cooper? I devoured Jump! as a proof copy from the editors shelves because I could not wait. But as she is so devilishly popular, I suppose I share this with half the country!

Favourite bookshop in London?
Well it would be wrong for me to say anything other than the London Review Bookshop! It has a fantastic selection of books with some great author events, as well as neighbouring onto its very own cake shop, right in the heart of Bloomsbury. Outside of London it is Rhyme and Reason Books for Children in Sheffield which is a treasure trove I used to work in, with friendly, knowledgeable staff.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Fiction, via childrens books and cooking/baking. Also love it when booksellers set up their own recommended reads/themed tables, the recent Jazz table in Foyles was a highlight.

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Jobs Co-ordinator: Verity Hawson from Aberdeenshire
Currently works at publishing recruitment consultancy Inspired Selection

I answer any job-related queries for both candidtes seeking work and publishers searching for talent.

What do you most like about the SYP?
It unites all those who are passionate about publishing

What are you reading at the moment?
Small Wars by Sadie Jones

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Travel – to inspire my next trip!

Favourite reading spot in London?
On a terrace with the sun beaming down on me with a hot chocolate in one hand and a book clutched in the other.

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Web Editor: Francesca Brazzorotto from Italy
Currently works for a publishing sales agency

What do you most like about the SYP?
I like the fact that it is a very young, dedicated group of people who help you get started with your career in publishing.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book, what would it have been?
I would have loved to have been involved in the marketing campaigns behind Harry Potter.

What was your favourite book as a child?
L.O.V.E. by Chloe Rayban and all Christopher Pike’s books (especially the Vampire trilogy and Monster).

Favourite author?
I have a few: Philip Roth, Cormac McCarthy, A.M. Homes, Iain Hollingshead (loved Twenty Something) and Charlene Harris

What are you reading at the moment?
The Iron King by J. Kagawa

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
I’m a sucker for vampire fiction, but not the Twilight kind! I also love zombie-related books, like Max Brooks’ ones (WWZ and The Zombie Survival Guide

Favourite bookshop in London?
I like the second-hand book stalls along the Southbank.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Horror, Historical/war and Non-fiction in general.

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Events Co-ordinator: Tina Mories from Dorset
Currently works at Orion Books

What do you most like about the SYP?
It’s an enthusiastic people who all share a passion for publishing.

What was your favourite book as a child?
Velveteen Rabbit.

Favourite author?
Stephen King

What are you reading at the moment?
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep – Philip K Dick

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
Belle de Jour

Favourite bookshop in London?
Broadway Bookshop

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Graphic Novels

Favourite reading spot in London?
Can usually be found at the back of a double decker bus almost every day head planted in a book.

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Student Liaison Officer: Kjell Sebastian Eldor from Liverpool, via Norway.
Currently studying for an MA in Publishing at Kingston University and working for Kingston University Press on an ongoing bursary placement.

I’m here to answer questions students may have about how the SYP can help those new to publishing in those crucial first steps into industry. I do this by setting up talks, mainly within university institutions. I also attend careers fairs and link anyone who is interested in the publishing world with the society.

What do you most like about the SYP?
As an organisation run by a team of volunteers, I’m most impressed by its activity throughout the year in providing useful talks, great networking events, and sparking debate around the industry and its future.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book, what would it have been?
Any Virago title. I recently wrote an essay about the Virago Modern Classics of a time gone by and became slightly obessed with the stylish green covers. I even found a man in Camden Market that can do you a real good deal on them. I’m not even particularly feminist, by I love the fact they struck such a chord.

What was your favourite book as a child?
How to handle Your Mum, a guide for boys about how Mothers are actually super spys with powers. It provided some useful tips on how to evade the all-seeing eye.

Favourite author?
Raymond Carver, everytime.

What are you reading at the moment?
Publishing For Profit (for study) Oryx and Crake (for pleasure). Both on a Kindle.

What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
I haven’t got one, I’m proud that at 24 I still fly the Jacqueline Wilson flag.

Favourite bookshop in London?
Stoke Newington Books.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Straight to the book that I want, then to the coffee shop with it, then back to the shelf, then home to order it from Amazon. Maybe that’s my guilty pleasure?

Favourite reading spot in London?
Victoria Line

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Marketing Officer: Konstantinos Vasdekis from Athens.

Recently completed work experience at newly-created company FIELL Publishing. Now job-hunting.

What do you most like about the SYP?
The enthusiasm, creative mind and innovative ideas that the Committee members have displayed so far. And of course, the fact that everyone is welcome to join or get actively involved in the SYP!

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book, what would it have been?
For me, it has always been illustrated non-fiction; these are the kind of books I was dealing with all these years in the family publishing house. What particularly fascinates me within that area is art publishing.

What was your favourite book as a child?
One the books I vividly remember is Aeolian Earth by Elias Venezis, a distinguished Greek novelist of The Generation of the 30s. Another great book is Sophie’s World by Gaarder Jostein.

What is your favourite author?
I don’t really have a favourite author. I believe that a well written book is where you can find it.

What are you reading at the moment?
Leiths Techniques Bible, the definite guide for culinary excellence.

What is your favourite bookshop in London?
Hatchards bookshop. Good selection of books, helpful staff. And a beautiful, classic staircase leading to the first floor!

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop?
Architecture, art, gardening, beautifully illustrated, practical books.

What is your favourite reading spot in London?
Nothing feels more cosy and comfortable than my own, wooden-sculpted bed.

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InPrint Commissioning Editor: Stephen Vittles from a village between Portsmouth and Southampton
Currently works as a Digital Production Manager at Exact Editions

I’m the Commissioning Editor of inPrint, the SYP’s quarterly magazine. It’s my job to cram each issue with interesting, exciting and inspiring articles for our members. If you have an idea for a great article, have experience in publishing or proofreading and like to see your name in print get in touch at inprint@thesyp.org.uk.

What do you most like about the SYP?
I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t say inPrint was my favourite part of the SYP! Vested interests aside, the best things about the SYP are our fabulous speaker events, our members and, of course, the socials.

Favourite author?
There is too many to choose! Perhaps Ian Banks; he masters every genre he turns his hand to.

What are you reading at the moment?
I am trying to pluck up the courage, and time, to tackle Melvyn Peak’s Gormenghast trilogy. Titus Groan is leering gargoyle-like at me from the top of my bookshelf.

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
My guilty, bookish pleasure is probably my hoard of reference books, dictionaries and non-fiction titles. I have a weakness for compendia of arcana and useless knowledge.

Favourite bookshop in London?
Judd books on Marchmont Street in Bloomsbury. It’s an independent specialist crammed with unusual humanities, arts and literary works.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop/library?
I think the history, poetry and reference bookshelves are the first to draw my attention.

Favourite reading spot in London?
There are quite a few tranquil spots between Grays Inn and St Paul’s. You would be surprised to stumble on so many in the heart of the City you won’t find them until you look.

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InDigital Editor: Victoria Noble from North London

What do you most like about the SYP?
Meeting lots of enthusiastic, like-minded people from the industry.

What was your favourite book as a child?
Anything by Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. Also loved the Sweet Valley Twins/High series!

Favourite author?
At the moment I’m enjoying Maggie O’Farrell, David Nicholls and Chris Cleave.

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
Good quality chick lit: Lisa Jewell, Jane Fallon and the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella.

What section do you always head to first when you visit a bookshop/library?
Popular fiction, then travel. Swiss Cottage library is great as it’s so huge-I always come out with armfuls of books.

Favourite reading spot in London?
On the tube (when I get a seat, that is!). I also like the comfy sofas upstairs in Cafe 1001 on Brick Lane.

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Press and Publicity Officer: Lizzi Jones

 Currently works at Hodder & Stoughton as the Key Account Co-ordinator of the Mass Market Business Unit.

In my role as Press and Publicity Officer for the SYP, I am responsible for letting our existing members know about our upcoming events. My primary goal for this year is to use new media channels to reach non-members and make them aware of who we are and what we do.
 
What do you most like about the SYP?
On a professional level, the events that the SYP hold are interesting and informative. On a personal level, I like the fact that it brings together like-minded people who love books.

In a dream world, if your publishing career could have enabled you to work on any book what would it have been?
I was lucky enough to join Hodder while One Day was still number one, which meant that I could work on a book that I adored alongside a whole company of people who adored it too.

What was your favourite book as a child?
There were so many! When I was very little I loved books with a sense of adventure, so I devoured all of the Famous Five books and I read and re-read Stig of the Dump over and over again. As I grew up I loved the Sweet Valley series; needless to say, I’ve already pre-ordered the new one!

What is your favourite author?
That depends entirely on what I’m reading! At the moment it’s Lionel Shriver, because I’m reading her beautiful but devastating new book So Much for That.

What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?
Whenever I get reader’s block and struggle to truly engage with reading, I read a Jodie Picoult book. Admittedly they’re chick-lit, but they’re the kind of chick-lit that engages with big issues and leaves you thinking well after you’ve finished.

Favourite bookshop in London?
I think I’m probably meant to pick an indie here, but I’m controversially going to choose the Waterstone’s in Camden! I think the best bookshops are the ones with the best booksellers, and Clive from the Camden store is one of the friendliest and most knowledgable I’ve met.

Favourite reading spot in London?
I’d love to say that I read in one of London’s many parks but in reality I tend to get too distracted by the sun, the footballers, dogs, grass, anything really…