From the beginning, the Society of Young Publishers has had a clear focus: to find ways to improve the industry for those forging a career in publishing. From the exchange of new ideas to the implementation of initiatives to make the industry fairer and more accessible, the SYP has had, and continues to have, a positive impact on the publishing industry. Keep reading to see the many ways in which the SYP has helped to change the course of the industry!
When the SYP first started in 1949, if you wished to join, you had to be aged 20–35 and already have a job in publishing. In its first decade, the small committee enjoyed activities such as bus trips to Oxford and Cambridge University Presses, and yearly visits to the German book trade to gain fresh ideas about the industry.
In the 1960s, the SYP had begun to develop and the focus shifted to important industry talks and events. The 1966 SYP conference theme “Bookselling without Bookshops” opened conversations about new ways to reach audiences – from book clubs and offers, to direct mail newsletters, many of the ideas discussed at the conference still play an active role in reaching audiences today, except now we have a more wide-spread reach with our use of social media and the internet. 1968 also marked the first time the national press showed up to a talk on censorship, which involved bookseller and publisher, Basil Blackwell (the owner of Blackwell’s bookshop). It was no surprise that the committee of 1968 marked this event as their “most important meeting of the year”.
With the 1973–1975 recession came a new series of challenges for the publishing industry to overcome, but the Society of Young Publishers continued to power on. The committee added more members, and layed out new initiatives. A crèche scheme for members was established, with the purpose to help women get back to work after having children. The aim of this scheme was to make the work/childcare balance fairer for women, which would enable them to forge ahead with their careers. This wasn’t the only significant initiative to have come about in the 1970s. In 1975, the first ever SYP salary survey was released. The survey continues to run today, and is led by the founder of BookCareers.com and previous SYP Chair, Suzanne Collier.
The 1980s was an era brimming with new technology, and the 1985 SYP conference, “Tomorrow’s World” focused on how the CD and CD ROM, amongst other new tech, could be integrated into publishing. A more cohesive and community feel was also created through study tours to Germany, Spain and the Moscow Book Fair, as well as social events such as a tennis tournament against the Booksellers Association, a baseball match, and trips to printers across the UK.
There were also more serious topics of discussion that required industry-wide attention, and the Society of Young Publishers and our quarterly magazine InPrint was there to report and comment on these issues. With the publication of Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses came debates on sensitivity in literature, and InPrint, along with other organisations, investigated the role and responsibility of publishers when putting material out into the market.
A decade for major changes, the 1990s saw the Society of Young Publishers continue to expand and grow. Over 35s were now eligible to join, which opened the society to a wider pool of members. With 1995 came the SYP’s 50th anniversary, and 1997 marked an expansion out of London and into Oxford, with the creation of the SYP Oxford branch. Salary surveys continued to remain a focus point for the society, and the SYP doubled down on its efforts to support all of its members.
In more recent years, the Society of Young publishers has broadened its aims, and has become an integral organisation that is open to anyone within publishing, as well as those seeking to start a career within the industry. In 2009 the SYP celebrated its 60th anniversary, as well as the opening of the SYP Scotland branch. Between 2011 and 2018, four more branches opened: SYP North, SYP UK, SYP Ireland and SYP South West.
The society has also created new initiatives to support its members and the wider publishing industry. From masterclasses and skills workshops, to networking events and supporting the London Book Fair’s Trailblazer’s Award, the SYP continues to inspire both members and non-members alike. 2018 saw the official launch of the Society of Young Publishers Mentorship Scheme, where industry professionals offer personalised career guidance to mentees. In 2023, the society became home to the Spare Room Project and Spare Zoom Project, – originally established by James Spackman in 2016 – and also celebrated the opening of the SYP Wales branch.
Now in 2024, and its 75th year, the Society of Young Publishers plans to revamp its member-exclusive resource centre, and focus on developing resources for the Ahead stream. The SYP remains committed to improving accessibility to the industry, and recognises that every individual in the publishing industry matters, and that everyone should be given the support and guidance to advance in their careers.
(‘History of the SYP’ text has been adapted from material written by Maria Vassilopoulos)
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