This huge book is a relatively new addition to the
range of reference books for UK writers. Published by David and Charles,
it is based on the formula used by their parent company, F & W Media, in
their book with a similar title covering the US.
This packs a lot of information into its 976 pages and
is very good value for money at £12.99. At the front of the book there
are 25 useful articles from a wide range of writers and publishing
professionals, amounting to a systematic series of pieces grouped
together. They cover subjects such as ‘Learning to Write’ (Simon Brett),
‘Writing from Experience’ (Caro Fraser), ‘Creating Believable Characters’
(Sophie Hannah), ‘Poetry Publication’ (Neil Astley), ‘The Publishing
Process’ (Caroline Taggart) and so on.
The listings are very full and detailed, and are
clearly laid out. The ‘Inside Info’ often contains some really useful
insights and the tips are also sometimes very helpful. The book is
comprehensive, with listings, for instance, of poetry and music
publishers.
With its sub-title ‘Your Guide to Making Money from Your
Writing’ Writers’ Market has an overtly commercial and
practical aim, which is to help you find a publisher. This clear angle
of approach makes the book rather brisk and also useful to authors who are
going for this route, although it does not cater much for self-publishers.
The editor Caroline Taggart points out that only about
20% of people who describe themselves as writers earn all of their income
from writing and 10% of the writers earn 50% of the overall money, so
there’s not much left for anyone else. If you want to work out how to sell
your own writing more successfully, Writers’ Market is a good place
to start.
Although it is the 2010 edition this was published in
spring 2009. The result is a useful handbook for any writer, which
delivers a great deal of useful information in an easily accessible form.
It doesn’t yet have the status of its established rivals, the Writers’
and Artists’ Yearbook and The Writer’s Handbook, but is
beginning to give them a real run for their money.
