Product Description

The best selling guide to markets in all areas of the media, completely revised, redesigned and updated, with a Foreword by Eoin Colfer (author of the bestseller Artemis fowl). New articles in this edition include: Ghost wring; distribution; Adaptation. Listings include newspapers and magazines, book publishers and literary agents, TV and film producers, websites, picture agencies and libraries, societies, prizes, festivals and editorial services.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #307096 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 768 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The publication of Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is an annual event as regular and as cheerfully welcome in its red jacket as Father Christmas. Here is the usual feast of information, fully updated for 2004, about getting your writing or artwork published; but this year the cover has a sleeker, more modern, design. The content layout has had a smart makeover too. Now it's less cluttered and easier to read.

Eoin Colfer, the novelist who writes this year's foreword, observes "Every possible scrap of information needed by the upcoming or established writer is included". And it certainly isn't just a list of publishers--although of course they're there. There are also listings relating to film, TV and radio and theatre producers as well as a remarkably detailed list of newspaper and magazines both in Britain and elsewhere in the English speaking world, along with dozens of helpful articles. Then there are sections on copyright, finance, societies, prizes, festivals and picture research. And for this, the 97th edition, there are new articles on ghost-writing, adaptation and distribution.

Where else could you find, in one compact volume, a list of magazines and newspapers that accept cartoons, full instructions for proof correction, contact details for artists' residencies in Tuscany and an advisory article about getting poetry published? If you have the remotest idea that you might ever attempt to sell even the most modest written fragment or the tiniest photograph or drawing then you'd better buy this first. --Susan Elkin

Amazon.co.uk
The Writers’ and Artists Yearbook is back for its annual appearance. It’s kept the shiny bright-red, chunky housebrick look of 2004 and remains, as last year’s novelist commentator Eoin Colfer observed, rammed with "every possible scrap of information needed by the upcoming or established writer." This year’s foreword writer Maeve Binchy describes it as "like a magic carpet that would carry the writer anywhere . . .like a scaffolding on a building, it sort of suggests that it is half possible to climb up this unreal dream mountain of becoming a writer." Every year one can expect a comprehensive directory of publishers as well as all the essential articles on writing fiction and non-fiction, approaching publishers, getting an agent, correcting proofs, copyright and libel law, marketing, self-publishing, navigating research facilities and the like. But then every year things get better. This year’s edition boasts over 400 new entries within the listings section as well as new articles on libraries, digital television and radio. The ‘Getting Started’ section is now at the front and includes articles for both magazines and books. New articles include: ‘Understanding the Publishing Process’; a ‘Year-In-View of the Publishing Industry’; ‘The Writers Ultimate Workspace’ concerning the difficulties of writing from home, and ‘The Role of the Literary Agent’ by the late Giles Gordon—one of the great literary agents to whom this year’s edition is dedicated. There is also a new feature by Helen Weinstein entitled ‘Inside the BBC’ for those who want to break into the world of the beeb. Add to that the 'Notes From Successful Authors' section—which this year includes Joanne Trollope, Simon Winchester and JK Rowling—and you have all the reasons you need to get up-dated.

In short, the Writers’ and Artists Yearbook is a comprehensive course that gives you the best possible chance to succeed. If you are a photographer, a poet, a cartoonist, or a writer of any kind this will prove to be the most important book in your library.-- Larry Brown

The Society of Authors
'A Must for established and aspiring writers'

Customer Reviews

Essential if you're serious about writing
If you are in any way serious about writing and live in the British Isles, then there are two books you need to buy every year - "Writers' and Artists' Yearbook" and "The Writer's Handbook". The questions you'll be asking now are Why? and what does he mean by "serious about writing"?

People start writing for a variety of reasons - fun, love, therapy. It's a progressive illness. At some stage, you decide you'd like to improve your skills ... or come to the conclusion that other people might benefit from hearing your words! You join a writers' group, take classes, or start sending your poems, short stories, manuscripts, or articles to publishers. It's before this stage you have to get serious. If you want to improve your writing and have at least the ambition to get published, then I'd suggest you invest in the "Writers' and Artists' Yearbook" and learn a little about marketing before you start sending out material on spec.

The "Yearbook" contains a generous helping of useful articles which might just stimulate you and inspire you with the confidence to share your writings with others. If you're serious enough to believe that you'd like to push your writing to the ultimate conclusion and try to earn money (if not a living) from it, then you will need both books.

If you were to compare the two, "Writers' and Artists' Yearbook" is probably the better value. Both contain page after page of addresses - UK newspapers and magazines, publishers, agents, competitions, etc., etc., etc., complete with pen portraits of these. Both books offer a number of articles on the subject of writing and publication. In general, the "Yearbook" is slightly better. However, the two do not entirely overlap - they have a number of different listings, they offer a different perspective, and it is worth having both on your bookshelf - and if you want to break in to American markets, you should also consider "Writer's Market".

The "Yearbook" is well laid out. It's been going for years, so they should have got it right by now. The material is concise, easily digested, and in the last eight years I've failed to find a mistake in any of the copies I've bought. For an annual publication, its information is accurate, timely, and accessible. If you're serious about writing, it will become a good friend, to be cherished and handled with due care.

Essential, but get the latest edition
The 2006 edition is now available and, if you're serious about writing, you should invest in this (my full review of the 2005 edition can be found below).

Writers' Bible
As an aspiring writer, I was told to purchase this book due to the fact that it simply is the writer's Bible. I was glad of the recommendation from women at the writers' forum and hurriedly ordered it. I could not have been more pleased.

Every writer (and artist) needs to begin somewhere. In the case of the aspiring writer, whether the manuscript is complete or nowhere near finished, it is definitely a must to search out the publishers and agents who may be able to help you in the steps to getting published. This book contains the names and addresses of countless literary agents, publishers and publications. Book publishers are listed, along with magazines and newspapers in order to assist the freelance writer.

Not only that, but along with the helpful contacts, each section provides valuable information about what the section entails. These tips cover various subjects including finding an agent, how to get published, writing for newspapers and magazines, and so on. The information provided is fabulous and is definitely a great help to anyone interested in getting published.

Just like the acting industry has Spotlight Contacts, writers and artists have the Yearbook; a precious directory of useful contacts, priceless information, and brilliant piece of mind. I would advise anybody who even has just a slight interest in writing to purchase this title.