15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
1,000+ Markets, Sensibly Organized, Cross Referenced, April 12, 2004
This review is from: Christian Writers' Market Guide 2004 (Paperback)
The yearly directory "Christian Writers' Market Guide," published by Shaw Books, is coming into its own. Always a fine collection of publishers of Christian poetry, prose and nonfiction, this year's edition adds some new features and loads of new content. As with each edition, this book continues to reign as the best resource for those writers wanting to publish Christian material.
Possibly because of the popularity of "The Passion of the Christ," the "Left Behind" series, or the religious titles showing up in the New York Times Bestseller List, or even because of the new age spirituality and occasionally Christian viewpoint of PAX-TV, publishers are recognizing that there is a market beyond the usual secular fare. Christian fiction has grown and broadened, and the quality has returned to the level of C. S. Lewis and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Stuart has been able to add over 100 publishers and periodicals as a result.
As the quality of Christian publishing grows, so does the sophistication of acquisition. Stuart provides agents and other kinds of manuscript screening services. In the case of major publishers, an agent is the only way in. Shaw Books, publisher of "Christian Writers' Market Guide," will accept queries only. Unsolicited manuscripts must be submitted through a third party, The Writer's Edge, a service used by many others including "Left Behind's" Tyndale House Publishers.
Each entry includes, as appropriate, the name of the publisher, the contact information, a URL, the editor and his or her title, a description of focus, number of titles published, how many titles from new authors asre published each year, how quickly they publish chosen material, whether or not they accept simultaneous submissions, how quickly they respond to submissions, how to acquire guidelines, and a decsription of their current needs.
Although many of the entries tend to lean toward Protestant thinking, Catholic publications are also listed, like "St. Anthony's Messenger," the "Liguorian," and "Catholic Digest."
The list of websites has increased. Since many of the publications are denominational or have small print runs, finding print copies may be difficult. Checking the publisher's website not only will allow a look at the tone, but also provide writer's guidelines.
One feature worth mentioning is the dollar ($) sign. Are you looking to make a few bucks? Then look for that symbol before the listing. Not everyone pays, but many do. Likewise, an (s) in front of the publisher indicates it is a subsidy or POD (print on demand) publisher. These kinds of tools help speed up the process of sorting through the hundreds (over 1,000) markets.
Included once again is the remarkably thorough "Topical Book Listings," useful, for example, the writer looking to submit an article on forgiveness or on an aspect of liturgical studies. Topics includes where to send photographs, poetry, pastoral and leadership articles, ethnic and multicultural pieces, and historical romances.
Without this book, I never would have submitted my poetry to "Decision Magazine," which has purchased several poems. I also would never have learned about the vast number of other publishers which might be interested in my short fiction.
Still lacking in this otherwise terrific resource is a digital version. Searches and personal submission databases would be so much easier to configure and manage with a CD. The secular book "Writer's Market," also required by any writer, offers a website packed with this kind of information.
I fully recommend "Christian Writers' Market Guide" by Sally Stuart. The expanse of Stuart's research is impressive, and can be both inspirational and practical.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wise investment for the serious Christian writer, July 15, 2004
This review is from: Christian Writers' Market Guide 2004 (Paperback)
The Christian Writer's Market Guide by Sally Stuart should be required reading for every potential author and self publisher interested in writing for the Christian market.
It is an indispensible tool, and should be on the desk of every serious author. It covers everything from sending query letters to writing Bible tracks and greeting cards in addition to submitting your work to the more conventional publishing houses. It lists support organizations, as well as professional publicists, agents, reviewers, etc.
It should be the first investment a writer makes; it's certainly one of the wisest investments a writer could make!
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