Seven Days of Northern Publishing: A Recap of our SYP North Events Week

Posted on September 22, 2025 in INTO, North

This September, SYP North hosted our very first Events Week! A seven-day programme packed with exciting talks, interviews, takeovers, and in-person activities. Our goal was to spotlight Northern voices, demystify the publishing landscape, and show aspiring publishing hopefuls the many ways to get involved in the industry.

Running from Monday 15th to Sunday 21st, Events Week was a journey through the publishing world, beginning with the strength of independent presses, moving through themes of diversity and accessibility, spotlighting Northern writers and bookshops, and ending with the value of mentorship and community. Alongside the main events, our newsletter and social media channels kept the conversation flowing, offering everything from insider advice to giveaways and behind-the-scenes insights.

Here’s a look back at the highlights!

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Monday: Power of the Independent

The week kicked off with an Instagram story takeover hosted by Katie, Marketing Assistant, and Caitíe, Sales Assistant, from Mare Nostrum Group (MNG). Working from home didn’t stop them from jumping online to share a candid behind-the-scenes look at their roles. Throughout the day, they answered questions, offered insights into their day-to-day responsibilities, and spoke about the volunteering they do within the industry. Katie, for instance, serves as SYP North’s co-events officer and as Prize Champion at the Children’s Books North Network, whilst Caitíe is our co-Chair – now in her second year on the committee! It was also a poignant moment for Katie, as it marked her penultimate week with MNG before moving on to a new editorial role at Quercus’ non-fiction division.

The day also saw the launch of our Northern Fiction Alliance collaboration podcast episode featuring indie presses Northodox and Comma Press. Committee members Sara and Tom spoke with Isabella Barker (Comma) and James Keane (Northodox) about the Alliance’s work in championing independent publishing and bringing diverse voices to the forefront.

Tuesday: Publishing for Everyone

Tuesday’s theme was Finding Your Place in Publishing, featuring a panel discussion with Victoria Perry (Chief Executive of The Book Trade Charity), Bethany Sparks (Cuppas Lead at the Children’s Books North Network (CBNN)), and Ellie Pilcher (freelance marketing consultant and content creator). Each speaker shared their career journey and highlighted volunteering opportunities across the industry. Much of the talk was dedicated to Northern organisations (the Book Trade Charity website is a great place to check these out), as well as some featured in a very special SYP North newsletter (see Friday’s highlights for more on this).

One standout moment was the discussion of the CBNN Prize – a new initiative offering mentorship to aspiring children’s book creators from underrepresented backgrounds. The prize doesn’t just provide mentorship for the winner and shortlisted entrants, but also includes a financial award and opportunities to connect with publishers and agents, opening real doors into the industry (More info here). We also uploaded a social media spotlight on our committee’s favourite local libraries!

Wednesday: Voices of the North

Midweek, we turned to the authors who make the Northern publishing landscape so vibrant. Interviews with Jessica Andrews and Naomi Booth – whose work is deeply rooted in the region – offered insight into their inspirations, favourite bookshops, and book recommendations, as well as reflections on community, diversity, and what it means to write from the North. Their reflections on writing and place reinforced just how important amplifying Northern stories matters, whilst our accompanying book giveaway helped share their work with new readers.

We also ran a Northern Author spotlight with Valeriya Salt, who spoke about her writing process, how she balances making time for writing with other life commitments, and her advice for aspiring authors.

Thursday: Beyond the Books

Thursday explored publishing careers beyond the familiar editorial route. Emma Ferguson, Senior Commissioning Editor at Emerald Publishing, delivered a practical and encouraging presentation on breaking into the industry, with a particular focus on academic publishing. Her slides covered everything from tailoring CVs and cover letters to interview preparation and common pitfalls to avoid. For anyone interested, her slides are available on request via our event’s email.

Attendees also had the opportunity to receive one-to-one sessions with Emma, which proved invaluable. These short consultations provided personalised career advice and a clearer sense of direction. For those without existing connections, these tailored conversations can be a real turning point – providing not just practical tips, but also confidence. On social media, our ‘Hidden Jobs in Publishing’ content further highlighted the many roles that often fly under the radar.

Friday: Where Are They Now?

Friday was dedicated to alumni, giving us a chance to spotlight what past SYP North members have gone on to achieve. Our special-edition newsletter was packed with career stories and useful resources (you can sign up for our newsletter here), while on Instagram Georgina – now Assistant Development Manager in the International Education Department at Cambridge University Press & Assessment – took over our stories to share her experiences, career tips, and reflections on volunteering with Children’s Books North Network and for the SYP 2025 Mentorship scheme.

We also featured an alumni interview with Becca Parkinson, Marketing Coordinator at Manchester University Press, who spoke about her time as Treasurer and Chair at SYP North, offered a glimpse into her current role, and reflected on the highlights of her career so far. Both Georgina and Becca reminded us how varied and rewarding careers in publishing can be.

Saturday: Stories Behind the Bookshelves

Saturday brought us together in person for the Leeds Lit Hunt. Despite stormy weather, our resilient participants braved the rain to solve bookish clues that led them around the city centre, stopping off at independent bookshops along the way. The trail was a fun, informal way to connect with fellow book lovers and to celebrate the vital role indie bookshops play in sustaining our reading culture. With prizes to be won and shelves to explore, it was the perfect way to bring our online community into the real world. We also posted some recommendations of wonderful independent bookshops across the North for anyone keen to continue exploring.

Sunday: Creating Your Own Path

We closed the week by shining a spotlight on the SYP North mentorship scheme. Through newsletter content and mentee interviews, we shared first-hand stories of guidance, growth, and support. It was a fitting conclusion to the week, showing us how publishing careers are built not only on opportunities but also on relationships and networks of care.

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Across seven days, SYP North Events Week celebrated the breadth of our region’s publishing ecosystem. Through podcasts, panels, interviews, recommendations, and bookshop visits, we explored both the challenges and the possibilities of building a career in publishing and, above all, the community that makes it possible.

If you missed any of our events, don’t worry – much of the content is still available through our website, newsletter, podcast, and social channels. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our brilliant speakers, authors, publishers, and volunteers who generously gave their time and expertise. Here’s to continuing the conversation, and to many more inspiring Northern publishing stories to come!

Written by Sophie Austen