It is like opening a treasure chest.
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The writing field ahs gotten too massive to put everything you ever wanted to know into one book. Every the listings alone would make a book larger then you telephone book. On the other hand if you were to buy every book you need to cover all the bases then you would have to buy and maintain a library and update it every year.
So whether you are focused on one form or field in writing or you are diverse this is the best book to start with. The main focus of the book is still on writing and has something for everyone.
There is not enough room here to describe all the contents of this book. However If you start out from the front it will take you several days to read sand digest before you even thing of activating the 1-year online subscription. I find it interesting to re-read many articles that I already know about and say "I know that." However there are two main advantages in this exercise. First you reinforce what you already know. Second there just might be something new or a new way of looking at tine information.
As with a treasure chest there are all kinds of hidden or not so hidden goodies in this book. Every thing from how to read it to a free book mark that can be used as a quick card. The pages are well indexed for those that tend to skip over all the good stuff and hit the deck running.
Whether you are just starting out or have been in the business for years it would be embarrassing to be caught with out this book. This is one of the major books of the trade.
As usual this book is an annual so getting the latest version is imperative; however there is more to this book than just addresses. The tips and information on writing and making contact is timeless. The book is also keeping for a historical view on the how writing and contacts evolve.
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More than a reference
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You are a writer, and that's why you are reading this review. The same old question, "Can I justify purchasing 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 "2006 Writers Market" 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 them had I used this market guide in tandem with the web. This guide will help you prepare intelligently. It leans heavily toward article writings. Writers who have feature articles especially will find this book useful. This is not Writer's Digest's similar guide, "Novel & Short Story Writers Market," aimed at that major genre. 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. 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 clambering for your expertise. I fully recommend "2006 Writers Market." Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
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Essential tool if you want to break in to American markets
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British readers who are serious about writing will already be familiar with the annual "Writers' and Artists' Yearbook" and "The Writer's Handbook". Both are essential purchases for amateur and professional writer alike. If, however, you wish to raise your horizons and search out potential markets in Canada and the USA, then "Writer's Market" is the title you require. I used to write a column on American markets for "Writers News" in the UK and I assure you, this is the definitive annual work. "Writer's Market" is a much weightier tome than its British counterparts. While it is not encyclopaedic - there are literally thousands of paying publications which do not feature in its pages - it nevertheless offers a vast range of titles, fiction, non-fiction, news and features, specialist and generalist. This is where you begin your search. The market information is extensive - in general, much greater analysis is given to each market than you get from the British titles. Kathryn Brogan provides serious insights into what American editors and publishers are looking for, and offers generous advice to those of us who submit queries and manuscripts. Thumbing through the volume allows you to narrow your search and identify possibilities. However, it may be a cliché, but try to get hold of at least a couple of recent (and ideally the current) edition of your target publication, and study these thoroughly. American markets vary considerably in tone and style, so if you want to sell your work, get a feel for what the editor uses and try to spot gaps you could fill. The USA and Canada is a vast geographic area - don't assume that it's just England with funny accents; what American editors want can be radically different from British ones ... and tastes, styles, and demands can vary greatly from State to State. "Writer's Market" contains a number of extremely interesting and informative articles and interviews, giving you further insight into the state of American markets. There are interviews in the 2006 edition with Margaret Atwood and Alexander McCall Smith. There's a lot of inspirational material on how to go about pitching stories and selling pieces to editors, a lot of practical advice on presenting a professional image - absolutely essential if you want to sell your story. Beyond being a reference book, it's a good read in its own right. "Writer's Market" contains information on publications, publishers, agents, contests and awards, in both the USA and Canada. Well laid out, the material is accessible and accurate, and the advice generally very well considered. My fiction and non-fiction has been published in a number of US magazines and I've found this an invaluable title to have on my bookshelf. Great advice, succinct information, and great value - you'll pay for it with your first sale!
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Essential, but consider the delux edition
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British readers who are serious about writing will already be familiar with the annual "Writers' and Artists' Yearbook" and "The Writer's Handbook". Both are essential purchases for amateur and professional writer alike. If, however, you wish to raise your horizons and search out potential markets in Canada and the USA, then "Writer's Market" is the title you require. I used to write a column on American markets for "Writers News" in the UK and I assure you, this is the definitive annual work. "Writer's Market" is a much weightier tome than its British counterparts. While it is not encyclopaedic - there are literally thousands of paying publications which do not feature in its pages - it nevertheless offers a vast range of titles, fiction, non-fiction, news and features, specialist and generalist. This is where you begin your search. (There is, however, a more expensive, delux edition which gives you a one-year online subscription to even more market information - for the professional writer, this may be the better investment ... and even the inexperienced amongst you might find much of use here. If you have doubts about how much use you'll get from it, buy the ordinary version and try it for a year.) The market information is extensive - in general, much greater analysis is given to each market than you get from the British titles. Kathryn Brogan provides serious insights into what American editors and publishers are looking for, and offers generous advice to those of us who submit queries and manuscripts. Thumbing through the volume allows you to narrow your search and identify possibilities. However, it may be a cliché, but try to get hold of at least a couple of recent (and ideally the current) edition of your target publication, and study these thoroughly. American markets vary considerably in tone and style, so if you want to sell your work, get a feel for what the editor uses and try to spot gaps you could fill. The USA and Canada is a vast geographic area - don't assume that it's just England with funny accents; what American editors want can be radically different from British ones ... and tastes, styles, and demands can vary greatly from State to State. "Writer's Market" contains a number of extremely interesting and informative articles and interviews, giving you further insight into the state of American markets. There are interviews in the 2006 edition with Margaret Atwood and Alexander McCall Smith. There's a lot of inspirational material on how to go about pitching stories and selling pieces to editors, a lot of practical advice on presenting a professional image - absolutely essential if you want to sell your story. Beyond being a reference book, it's a good read in its own right. "Writer's Market" contains information on publications, publishers, agents, contests and awards, in both the USA and Canada. Well laid out, the material is accessible and accurate, and the advice generally very well considered. My fiction and non-fiction has been published in a number of US magazines and I've found this an invaluable title to have on my bookshelf. Great advice, succinct information, and great value - you'll pay for it with your first sale!
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United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada