The Publishing Post and The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) award is now open for early-career professionals and hopefuls

Following the success of the inaugural First Chapter Award last year, the Society of Young Publishers (SYP) and The Publishing Post have opened calls for a second year running.

The First Chapter Award celebrates the determination and passion of early-career publishing professionals whose valuable contributions and passion are critical to their teams, companies or the industry at large. Crucially, the award is open to a wide variety of individuals within the book and publishing community who are embarking on or are in the first five years of their career. Aspiring publishers, volunteers, booksellers, freelancers, librarians, publishing professionals, students, influencers and more are encouraged to apply. The broad scope of the award aims to highlight the interconnected nature of the community and recognise all who make up the industry.

The judging panel will comprise SYP UK Chairs Ellie Gorton and Hamilton Brown, The Publishing Post’s Chelsea Graham, and a variety of judges across the publishing industry, who will carefully evaluate the nominations. Applications will be valued on their passion, ability to support others or/and the wider industry, and dedication to achieving their personal and professional goals. The winners will receive a free year-long SYP membership as well as other prizes that both recognise their contributions and support their professional development.

Current SYP UK Chairs, Ellie Gorton and Hamilton Brown, state, "We’re delighted to be reopening The First Chapter Award for a second year. The award is open to those working across the book and publishing community, from educational and academic publishing through to magazine and traditional trade publishing, via bookselling, agenting, freelancing, volunteering and more. By recognising early-career champions, the SYP continues its mission to promote those at the start of their publishing careers, so it’s fantastic to be once again working with The Publishing Post on this award."

Chelsea Graham, founder of The Publishing Post, states "The heart of this industry is made up of those with a passion and desire to improve accessibility or shout about books, and so often these champions go unrecognised. The First Chapter Award recognises these ambitious and vital contributions to the book world. The award is very close to our mission at The Publishing Post, and we couldn’t be more excited to collaborate again with the brilliant SYP and read all of the wonderful submissions.”

Last year’s winners included Sorina Marinescu, Owner of Blue Sheep Books, Ause Abdelhaq, Editor at Pan Macmillan, Eiman Munro, Volunteer, and October Jones, Children’s Librarian GLL Wandsworth (Roehampton Library).

Applications open 14 July and individuals can self- nominate or nominate others. Winners will be awarded at the SYP Oxford’s Conference in November where they will have the opportunity to take part in a panel celebrating their work. Individuals can find out more and apply here!

Society of Young Publishers

The SYP is a membership organisation whose aim is to provide a supportive network and be a trusted source of information for anyone, of any age, hoping to get into or ahead in publishing or a related trade.

The SYP is made up of seven regional committees (Ireland, London, North, Oxford, Scotland, South West and Wales) and a UK committee responsible for overseeing the overall strategy of the group and producing the InPrint magazine. These teams are made up of dedicated volunteers who give up their spare time to help our members.