2004 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market)

Rating:
Summary: What an amazing resource for children's writers!
Review: I knew that there was a lot to learn when trying to get my first children's book published and I couldn't have found a more complete source in one book. There are pointers and advice given by many published authors. There is a market section where all the publishing houses are listed along with their contact information, what types of books they publish, web addresses, submission requirements and any other relevant information for each specific company. This is an invaluable book for any aspiring children's author.

Rating:
Summary: The best children's publishing market guide, as usual
Review: I'm a children's book editor, and run a web site called "The Purple Crayon," where I review this book in detail. Here are some excerpts from that review:

Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market has established itself as an inexpensive "yellow pages" of children's publishing for authors and illustrators in the United States.... This year's edition seems to me to be at least as good as its predecessors.

As usual, the core of CWIM is the Markets section, which includes listings of publishers of books, magazines, greeting cards/puzzles/games, and plays, with a special sub-category for young writers and illustrators. The Book Publishers part is just over 100 pages long, as it was last year, with short profiles of 9 "insiders" (writers, illustrators, editors) interspersed throughout. This year, a sub-section of Canadian and International book publishers has been added.... The magazine section is also quite sizable.

Before the Markets section come 19 articles, of which the first four--"Just Getting Started?", "How to Use This Book...," "Before Your First Sale," and "The Business of Writing and Illustrating"--appear every year. The remaining articles cover a wide variety of subjects, such as writing query letters, how to deal with rejection, whether unknown and unagented authors can get published, and self-promotion for illustrators. Two I particularly enjoyed--though everyone will have their own favorites--were "Writing Through Rejections: Advice from Jane Yolen & Vivian Van Velde," and "When Size Matters: The Synopsis...."

After the Markets section come a variety of materials in the Resources: listings of agents and art reps; organizations, conferences, and workshops; book, magazine, and web resources; a glossary; and a useful index to the publisher listings, which enables you to find publishers by age level or subject.

Comments: As I have said before about CWIM (this quotation actually appeared on the cover of their 2003 edition): "You need a market guide with detailed information you can't find elsewhere. This book is the best available." CWIM remains the leading market guide for children's writers and illustrators with the 2004 edition. All active US children's writers and illustrators should get this guide, and should strongly consider buying a new edition every year. Yes, you could gather much of the information you'll find in it on your own, through diligent searches online, phone calls, and guideline and catalog requests to publishers. But the time spent doing that is time lost from your real work.

Rating:
Summary: Not good for the Young Adult Horror writer
Review: If you write young adult horror short fiction, like I do, do NOT bother buying this book--stick with the 2004 Novel and Short Story version. There is not even a category for horror; there is only fantasy,sci fi and mystery/suspense. Most of the story maximum word cut-offs are under 1,000 too. Disappointing!

Rating:
Summary: Accurate, Complete and Up-To-Date Info
Review: The ultimate guide to getting your manuscripts and illustrations for the children's market published is back with over 1,000 editors, agents and art directors. Contract terms, tips for breaking in, current needs for both fiction and nonfiction and contact info for writers and illustrators give you the edge in actively pursue your career in the industry.

Everyone can benefit from the articles jam-packed into this year's edition. All aspects of the business are covered, with topics such as:

* The Business of Writing & Illustrating
* Can an Unagented, Unknown Writer Get Published? Editors Sound Off
* Get Noticed: An Illustrator's Guide to Self-promotion
* Writing Through Rejection
* Money Matters: Payment for Authors and Illustrators

Writers and illustrators new to the publishing world will not only enjoy the articles but also the in-depth interviews with newcomers to children's publishing. And no matter what your experience, there are over 200 pages of market listings to help you seek out the right opportunity for you. Writer's Digest Books updates this guide every year to bring you the very latest information every children's writer and illustrator needs to stay ahead of the publishing game.

No more excuses! This is your one and only resource for seeking out markets for your work. Everything you need to get published, including publishing house listings, magazines, greeting cards, contests and more, is right at your fingertips.