Society of Young Publishers relaunches Spare Room Project

The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) is relaunching the Spare Room Project to support publishing hopefuls.

Set up in 2016 by James Spackman and endorsed by the Publishers Association (PA), the project connects professionals based in London with hopefuls seeking temporary accommodation to attend interviews or undertake a work placement.

The SYP will also onboard the Spare Zoom Project, which facilitates 30-minute Zoom sessions between professionals and hopefuls. During the sessions, industry newcomers can seek guidance on career development and also gain a valuable industry connection remotely.

There will be an emphasis on cross-branch collaboration, with the SYP team working closely with SYP London to recruit professionals, while the regional branches will be key in promoting the scheme to hopefuls across the country.

Since the Spare Room Project launched, 150 publishing interns have been given free accommodation, with 40% saying it would have been impossible for them to have done their placement without. In addition, nearly 500 Spare Zoom online mentoring conversations have taken place.

Michaela O’Callaghan, co-chair of SYP UK, said: "We are overjoyed to integrate the Spare Room Project and Spare Zoom Project into our organisation. One of our core aims this year is to elevate the support we offer to those based outside publishing-centric cities and taking on the Spare Room Project demonstrates a long-term commitment to this aim.

"It is clear to see the impact these initiatives have already had, and we are keen to build upon their success over the coming years. We wish to thank James for his inspirational enthusiasm, and it is a privilege to incorporate such valued projects into our society."

Siobhan Humphries, co-chair of SYP UK, added: "Our industry is a better place with the Spare Room Project in it and so we are honoured to be integrating this initiative into our organisation. The SRP’s work is important because, for many people, the cost of attending interviews or undertaking internships is a financially difficult decision. It can be the difference between someone accepting their first role in publishing or turning it down.

"The SRP helps to alleviate this by assisting in accommodation constraints — empowering people to apply for their dream job in the comfort that the SRP will support one aspect of that process."

Spackman commented: "I’m absolutely delighted that the Society of Young Publishers is adopting the Spare Room Project. The SYP communicates brilliantly with aspirant publishers and publishing companies alike, and their aims and values align perfectly with those of the SRP. And I know they have the energy and ideas to kick the SRP up a gear and expand its reach in all directions, to help make our industry more accessible to people from outside the M25.

"Having somewhat shambolically dreamed the project into existence in 2016 with the support of lots of friendly and welcoming publishers, I have been immensely grateful for the advice, the promotion and the sponsorship of Penguin Random House. And I’m grateful to every single host and ’Spare Zoom’ volunteer who’s given their home and/or their time to an industry newcomer."

Chloe Cato, Spare Room Project officer for the SYP UK, said: "I will be supporting the integration of the SRP and SZP into the SYP. I really admire the opportunities these projects provide for individuals, particularly outside London, to begin or advance their publishing careers. I am excited to take on this role and to be a part of the process of further providing these opportunities."