2002 Writer's Market: 8,000 Editors Who Buy What You Write

Rating:
Summary: If you want to sell what you write, this has great advice
Review: If you aim to sell your writing for the first time, you should know what editors want to see. Otherwise, you will (if you are lucky) get a rejection letter. Why lucky? Because these days, you might not even get the courtesy of a rejection letter.

To save disappointment and to learn about the writer's market, you can't go wrong here. The book lists thousands of magazines, agents, book publishers, contests, email addresses and websites (which is why 2002 is useful if you have an older edition--web stuff is outdated quickly.) But even better is the section on getting published for the first-time author (with all kinds of help on formatting manuscripts, cover letters and book proposals.) There are interviews with bestselling authors, and also a useful bit on e-publishing.

If you want to see your stuff in print, this book is a wise investment.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not new
Review: This is still THE reference guide for authors to get their works published, but it is not as updated from the 1999 version as I would have hoped for. If you have 1999, you can probably wait for the 2001 or 2002 edition.

Rating:
Summary: More Than Reference
Review: You are a writer, and that's why you are reading this review. The same old question, "Can I justify puchasing this book?"

You can't justify not buying this book.

If all you are looking for is having your work published in some unknown literary journal, go to the library and check the reference shelf. However, if you are serious about breaking into the real literary, periodical or book publishing world, lay down some cash and bring "2002 Writer's Market: 8,000 Editors Who Buy What You Write" home.

Last year's edition might get you into trouble. Old addresses will result in wasted postage. This year's edition will have up-to-date information.

This is a guide. This is not the Bible. When you see a publication you like, take it a step farther and explore the URL. Don't randomly send out your work. Verify they might like your kind of writing. I've made mistakes in this regard, and could've avoided it had I used this market guide in tandem with the web.

All the info you want is there: who and how and where to contact a publication; what and if they pay; recent authors they've published; tone and flavor; current needs; turn around from receiving an MS to replying. There are lots of little articles you'll find helpful as well (like discussing the current needs of then now booming evangelical Christian market in one recent edition).

One exciting aspect of browsing through this is the ideas you'll get realizing the diversity of publications out there. No matter what seemingly esoteric interest you have, be assured there is probably a publication out there clammering for your expertise.

I fully recommend "2002 Writer's Market: 8,000 Editors Who Buy What You Write."

Anthony Trendl