SYP London launches practical workshops

The Society of Young Publishers London committee has launched a new series of monthly workshops for aspiring publishing professionals. 

The new workshop scheme places an emphasis on practical skills they can take forward into the workplace, such as learning how to write the perfect pitch and how to code, replacing its mentor scheme of previous years. Workshops will be offered exclusively to SYP members on a monthly basis.

The first session is "Becoming a Booktuber", a two-hour "how-to" with book blogger Leena Normington on 24th April. Focusing on online video, it will cover: filming and simple editing techniques; software advice; how to create content and manage an upload schedule; and how video can evolve the perception of a book brand.

Its May workshop will be "Writing a Marketing Plan", where attendees will be tasked with building their own campaign.

There are 10 places available per workshop. Applicants are asked to apply by emailing syp.london@gmail.com with a short paragraph (up to 300 words) about themselves and why they would like to take part. The deadline for applications for the first workshop is Wednesday (19th April), with applications for other workshops staggered on a monthly basis throughout the year. 

The announcement follows changes announced to the structure of the SYP earlier this year, seeing in the creation of an independent UK committee, previously conjoined within the London branch, while Louise Newton, audio assistant for Little, Brown Book Group and previously the SYP's head of events, took up the role of London branch chair for 2017.

Newton, London Chair, commented: “Work experience placements and internships offer fantastic insights into the different sectors publishing has to offer. However there has been an on-going conversation around the skillset that aspiring publishing professionals and their employers would like to have that you wouldn’t necessarily learn on the 9-5; such as how to create online video content or how to run a successful event. Our new SYP workshops offer candidates the chance to develop themselves creatively in the workplace and find new and original ways to get books into people’s hands. I am delighted that Leena will be commencing our SYP workshops and look forward to the workshops planned for the year ahead.”

Head of career liaisons Fran Roberts - who runs the SYP workshops alongside London vice chair Sarah Minty - added: “We have always had such great feedback from our mentor scheme, but this year we wanted to broaden the opportunity for our SYP members. Employers are increasingly looking for skills outside the norm, and it’s important that we recognise that and can draw on our own knowledge to help young publishers make the most of their careers. The workshops are an exciting new string to our bow, and will allow members to not only get practical experience they can take forward, but give them the opportunity to learn the intricacies of the publishing industry as a whole. It’s fantastic to have Leena on board for our first workshop, and I can’t wait to learn a bit about book blogging myself.”

Further details can be found on the website.