2003 Writer’s Market

2003 Writer’s Market

A book that dates back to 1921 and is into its 82^nd edition must be doing something right. The 2003 Writer’s Market has been legitimately called “the writer’s bible,” and editors Kathryn Struckel Brogan and Robert Lee Brewer do not disappoint their readership with this most recent hefty edition.

The primary objective of the book is to be as comprehensive as possible. Just a glance at the table of contents indicates to what extent this objective has been fulfilled. There are listings and descriptions of more than 3, 800 markets where the “yet-to-be published writer” and the “already-published writer” can sell their articles and manuscripts.

In view of the wide sweeping information contained, the editors have even devoted a few pages to explain how to navigate the book. For example, there are a variety of symbols that appear before each listing. We are informed where to find the explanation of these symbols and exactly what they mean.

We also notice that the three largest sections devote themselves to the listings of book publishers, consumer magazines and trade, technical and professional journals. However, listings of scriptwriting, syndicates, greeting cards, and contests & awards are not omitted.

As for the techniques of selling your work, the editors offer a “query letter clinic” where actual query letters are presented and dissected. Tips pertaining to online markets, working with freelance editors, TV writing, handling rejection, promoting your writing, business aspect of writing, serial rights and pitching sidebars, shorts and quizzes are likewise passed onto the reader.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the actual listings, these are specified alphabetically with the name of the publisher in bold letters. This is followed by the address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address and website, if one exists. There is an indication of the number of publications per year, the compensation paid, the response time, the genre the publisher accepts, and recent titles. There are also tips pertaining to the publisher, such as: “be familiar with publishers’ catalogues; be absolutely aware of your audience; research potential markets; present free new way of looking at your topics; avoid ‘PR’ language and include publishing history in query letter.”

At the back of the book you will find a resource section listing trade magazines, books and directories, websites, organizations, and a glossary of terms used throughout. Finally and in order to simplify matters, the editors have included a book publisher-subject index. In other words, if you are interested in comic books, there is a list of names of those publishers who concern themselves with this topic.

Anyone contemplating selling manuscripts or articles would do well to acquire this essential tool. It will certainly prove to be an excellent addition to any collection of writing reference texts.

2003 Writer’s Market edited by Kathryn Struckel Brogan and Robert Lee Brewer

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