The magazine listing is impressive because it includes so many trade, membership, in-house and limited issue titles alongside the news-stand ones. Another strength is the number of publishers listed both in the UK and elsewhere. The directories of Societies, Associations and Clubs, Prizes and Awards and Festivals are eclectic too. If you want to contact the Scattered Authors Society, The Caine Prize for African Writing or the Manchester Poetry Festival then all the details are here.

This year there's a thoughtful and encouraging foreword by veteran novelist Doris Lessing who says that for success "the recipe is hard work" plus many other blocks of advice from practitioners. Jane Dorner's "Setting up a Web site" and David Askam's "Digital Imaging for writers" are especially helpful and how useful it is, for most of the world which is not fluent in proofreader-speak to have a glossary of symbols. There are few things more galling than selling a piece of work, being offered a proof to correct before publication, but not knowing how to do it--Susan Elkin

Synopsis
This resource includes up-to-date listings of all media markets, including artists, illustrators and designers. For writers, it covers more listings of national newspapers/magazines, more Websites, and practical information on writing for newspapers and magazines. Also included is advice on marketing your book, how to get an agent and how to submit a typescript. For the artist, topics include freelancing, picture research, market for greeting cards and cartoons, illustration for the children's book market, artists' agents, and Websites for artists.