Customer Reviews

Writer's Handbook 2003 (Writer's Handbook)

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This is a veeeery long book, but it's most definitely worth it for any writer, and I recommend purchasing it on an annual basis. Before I decided on a market guide for the writing craft, I compared this book to "Writer's Market", by the editors of Writer's Digest magazine; and I must say that I love their bookclub, but "The Writer's Handbook 2003" is the guide that I picked up for me. Nowadays, competitiveness is everywhere, and in a market so vast and varied as the one for the writing craft, one needs a guide that feels also like a close friend. Thank God I found it in this big book (my copy is full of colored flags sticking out of it, marking my choices for submission, conferences I'd like to attend, etc).

The first part includes selected articles that at some point or another have been previously published throughout the year in "The Writer" magazine. Everything from inspirational ideas, to legal advice on copyright and selling your material through the different magazines and agents, advice for poets, etc. There is also an article on how to better set up your website, something that is no longer an option but a "must" as a promotional tool; plus conversations with famous authors. The different listings include non-fiction and fiction magazines, with as much information as possible on requirements, website, editor's name, etc.; book publishers, agents, arts councils and syndicates, writer's colonies and conferences, prizes and awards, drama and theater, TV and film producers; even greeting card publishers.

I recommend purchasing this guide on an annual basis or, at least bi-annually; if the price comes to be a bit too stiff for you. All the same, it can become your best friend.

The buyer should note that there are two versions, one published in the US (67th edition, editor Elfreida Abbe, published by The Writer) and the UK version (16th edition, editor Barry Turner, published by Macmillan in London). Each emphasizes its respective market, and the US version includes many articles by writers.

This completely revised "Writer's Handbook" boasts of updated information, which would benefit anyone who intends to write or edit any type of book. It is quite a remarkable improvement over the previous edition; and everything about it seem to advertise its authority.
Although that being a successful writer depends on a lot of factors, this book has a way of providing solid guidance for both aspiring writers and the more established ones. Its pool of resources is superb.

I first saw THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK sometime in the mid-1970s. I was already aware of (and owned) WRITER'S MARKET, but as always and still, I craved more market information. I found it in THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK.

What's the difference between the two? Oh, where to begin ... THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK has the nice feature of listing items in multiple categories when appropriate. THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK and WRITER'S MARKET each contain listings the other doesn't. Some listings are more informational in one than the other. And of course the articles are different in each.

And, if nothing else, when I cannot turn up a listing that turns me on, or info I need in one market book, there's always the other.

The bottom line: I recommend THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK equally and concurrently with WM. Buy or borrow both!

The 67th edition from The Writer magazine is an essential weapon in the writer's battle with editors and publishers. The Writer's Handbook eliminates many of the small squirmishes and clears the field for a successful onslaught. I do not venture forth without my aides-de-camp, the indispensible Writer's Market and the Children's Market, but I am fortified with the advice of my generals, the fifty essays in this handbook by our greatest writers on professional rights, the craft of writing, professional development, and ideas and inspiration.
The format and font are easy to read and most enjoyable. Don't go riding into the fray without a glancing look at this very handy book.