The Market Guide for Young Writers: Where and How to Sell What You Write [Paperback]

Kathy Henderson (Author)

Book Description

With this handy reference, kids can write and publish, too! This volume provides profiles of professional editors and young writers, information on opportunities in electronic communications, guidance on studying markets, advice about markets and contests to avoid, author's tips, and more. The book is complete with writing pointers and the first story Stephen King published--at age 13. 25 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Here is a book that belongs in every school library and English classroom, especially those that have Young Authors programs. It should be used in creative writing classes and be on the desks of children who aspire to be writers. Its reference use is limited, as the lists of magazines and contests that accept and encourage submissions from young people are a relatively small portion of this fourth edition.

Part 1 gives all the basics of writing and preparing manuscripts for submission. Beside having more detailed instructions than previous editions, special gray boxes have "Author's Tips" that refer the user to other sections of this work or other helpful books. This section also cautions about vanity presses and contests that require cash contributions before awards are given. There are instructions on using computers and online bulletin board services, which, for a novice, will relieve some initial anxiety. The last chapter has questions from users of past editions and the author's answers.

Part 2 lists magazines and contests with helpful information about procedures. There are 156 listed; 98 are new to this edition. Part 3 has new essays from young writers about the writing process as they experience it, especially the hundreds of rejection slips they receive before acceptance. There is also a short story which Stephen King wrote as a teenager--and which he admits is bad.

So much of this work is new that it supersedes previous editions. It is affordable for even the smallest budget or personal purchase. It is a must for school libraries, teachers of writing, and children's sections of public libraries. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 209 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 5th edition (March 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898797217
• ISBN-13: 978-0898797213
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,341,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lists most non-paying markets., August 2, 2000

By 

"melidadaan" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Market Guide for Young Writers: Where and How to Sell What You Write (Paperback)

I'm 13, and I'm serious about becoming a writer - no, not about becoming one, but being one right now. This book was good in the sense that it answered all my questions like "what is a query letter?" and "what does 'pays upon acceptance' mean?" Ms. Henderson explains what they automatically assume you already know in adult market books. There's also interviews with successful young writers that encouraged me.

However, the one thing that bothered me in this book is that most of the markets listed are non-paying ones. I think that if you're an author, work professionally, and write well, you should be paid for your work even if you are young.

This book is good for young writers who want more info on writing, but not if you're looking for a paying market. A better book covering most paying markets is the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, published by Writer's Digest. I have submitted three stories to markets there already.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, But Annoying, August 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Market Guide for Young Writers: Where and How to Sell What You Write (Paperback)

I found this guide to be extremely helpful. However, I also noticed that the book has many markets that publish only articles and stories from teenagers. In fact, most of the best ones . I think this is very annoying and even more frusterating. If you are in the 8-12 age catigory, I would reccommend trying another book. If you are thirteen or older, this is the book for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for young writers, October 2, 1998

By 

Daniel J. Klotz (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Market Guide for Young Writers: Where and How to Sell What You Write (Paperback)

Many adults have trouble with the reality that writing is a real job, but still more think that young writers are only practicing -- that they're not good quite yet. Kathy Henderson treats young writers with the respect and dignity they deserve, and offers loads of relevant tips and ideas. This book is a great introduction to marketing your work as a young writer, and has the most comprehensive listing of publishers who print the writings of young writers available anywhere.