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Writer's Read

Wynelda Shelton

Writer’s Market 2002 Edition
Edited by Kristen Holm
ISBN 1-58297-044-0
Writer’s Digest Books, Trade Paperback
US $29.99, CAN $41.99
(online version available from Writersmarket.com)

The market listings contained in Writer’s Market are sometimes thought of as the Holy Grail by writers. This edition is no different. It boasts 1,100 book publishers, 700 contests and awards, 1,900 magazines, and 75 agents. I started to drool as I looked through it in the local bookstore. Images of article assignments, checks, book deals and royalty arrangements danced like sugar plums in my head.

The Writer’s Market 2002 Edition is well laid-out. The magazine listings are broken down not only by subject (Women’s, Travel), but also by type (Consumer, Trade). While the book publishers are listed alphabetically, an index of publishers by subject matter is also provided. In addition to the listings, there are useful articles such as "Query Letter Clinic" and "Where to Get Great Article Ideas", as well as many others.

But the question still remains: Do you need it?

The first question you need to ask yourself before buying this book is whether you are serious about submitting your work. The first edition that I bought back in 1998 went mostly unused. Some people aren’t ready to submit yet, and that’s fine. It’s also fine if you write only for your own personal pleasure or to share with a select group of friends. If either of the above sounds like you, then this is not the book for you.

The second question has to do with what you write. Do you only write for children? Only fiction? Romance? If you have a specific genre, you may be better off with a book specific to those areas. Writer’s Digest Books offer several focused versions of market listings, including Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market and Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market which are also updated yearly.

On the other hand, Writer’s Market 2002 offers an expansive overview of listings, ideal for someone who writes in different genres. If you want to submit to magazines, this may also be the book for you.

Before you buy, answer the above questions honestly, and then make your purchasing decision. As for me? It’s sitting on my desk. I’ve had the book two weeks, and I’ve already sent out three queries.