Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2004 2004: A Directory for Writers, Artists, Playwrights, Writers for Film, Radio and Television, Designers, Illustrators and Photographers [Paperback]

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.

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.

I still can't live without it, though!