The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) are delighted to announce the launch of a new regional branch to cover the South West region of the UK. SYP South West will cover a wide area, with events held in Bath, Bristol. Cardiff and Plymouth. It will join the existing London, Oxford, Scotland, Ireland and North of England (Manchester and Leeds) branches of the organisation.

The SYP has been focusing on improving its reach across the country to provide a more inclusive service for its members. In 2017 Alice Geary, then UK Chair, launched the ‘On The Road’ event series across the UK in partnership with The Bookseller. These events proved extremely successful and highlighted the need for the SYP to expand its service to reach more aspiring publishers from other areas of the UK.

We are grateful to be supported by Bath Spa’s Publishing course in the initiation and development phase of this new venture. The South West branch will be a much-needed hub for the many innovative and creative book, magazine and digital publishers throughout the area. It aims to offer a wide range of exciting opportunities for aspiring publishers and those looking to get into the industry to meet, discuss and collaborate.

During its formation, the new branch will be chaired by Jo de Vries, previously Head of Specialist Publishing at The History Press, founder of Conker House Publishing and a Lecturer in Publishing at Bath Spa University. Jo said:

“I am delighted to be heading up this new branch which will offer a great opportunity for the vibrant community of young publishers in the South West to get together and discuss the key issues and potential developments for the growing and dynamic industry throughout the area.”

Over the next few weeks we will be recruiting new committee members from the region, so please do contact us if you are interested in being involved. Positions on the committee available include Treasurer, Social Media Manager, Student Liaison and Events Coordinators (likely multiple). In order to apply for these positions you do not currently need to be a member of the SYP, but a commitment to the industry and our organisation’s goals is essential. To find out how to apply for these positions, follow this link.

The new branch will host a launch event featuring guest speakers in the late autumn at Bath Spa University’s Publishing Futures Lab with more details to be announced shortly.

This is an exciting new venture, and we hope everyone is as eager to see what the future holds as we are. We look forward to hearing from the publishers of the future currently based in this region, and working together to build something special.

Ain Deheb Bensenouci,
UK Chair of the SYP

 

About the SYP: Established in 1949, The Society of Young Publishers is open to anyone, of any age, interested in publishing or a related trade – or who is hoping to be soon. Run by a team of dedicated volunteers, the SYP aim to assist, inform and encourage anyone trying to break into the industry or progress within it through regular events, two all-day annual conferences, a quarterly magazine, a comprehensive jobs board and a supportive online forum, The Network. They also have strong partnerships with organisations across the industry to provide the best content and opportunities for their members, as well as supporting a number of awards and initiatives including the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize and the Trailblazer Awards. They currently have five regional branches in Oxford, London, the North (Manchester and Leeds), Scotland and Ireland.

For enquiries please contact Ain Deheb Bensenouci, UK Chair, at sypchair@thesyp.org.uk.

 

Featured image courtesy of Visit Bath