Customer Reviews

Writer's Online Marketplace : How & Where to Get Published Online

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I looked through this book today at a bookstore and found that there were a number of mistakes in the markets. Maybe that was the situation when Ohi wrote the book, I don't know. Also, most of the book was "filler" rather than the markets themselves. I have written a lot for the Web, and a large number of the well paying markets were not mentioned in her book either. In fact, I would say that the overwhelming majority of the sites listed in her book are the very low paying ones. I would recommend the online market guide by Anthony and Paul Tedesco over this one.

Writer's Online Market Place is a great referencing tool for writers wanting to get their work online. Not only does it have over three hundred online markets, but it lists all paying markets in one chapter. Chapter one starts off with basic internet etiquette and the differences of writing online. The book goes on to cover how to do online queries and submissions, the types of online markets, workshops and courses that are available, where to find market info, etc.

Writer's Online Market Place also includes a very useful list of websites that contain databases of guidelines for submission. For those who have questions about copyright information, this book goes through what you should look for and what to ask about. It also has a section about how to promote your work online.

The two most useful chapters (MUST READ sections) are the insider reviews and market listings. Insider Reviews has a group of writers and editors who give tips about submissions, guidelines, and the online market place. The market listings list online paying markets with web address, street address, contact person, and a general idea of submission needs.

If you are a writer wanting to get your work out into the world wide web, this book is for you! Even if you are a beginner, you will find Writer's Online Market Place to be an excellent tool to get you started.

Debbie Ohi's Writer's Online Marketplace is a definitive guide to getting published online. She provides an informative overview of today's online publishing landscape; methods for crafting queries and submissions addressing the specific needs of the online marketplace; using the Web to network, promote and sell work; making a web site; electronic rights; the differences between writing for print and writing for online publications; email basics that will ensure a positive response from editors; and invaluable information on who's buying what and what types of markets are now available on the Web. Enhanced with tips and advice from dozens of successful online writers, hundreds of Web site listings, a comprehensive section with details for 300 paying online markets (including what they want, how much they pay, contact information), Writer's Online Marketplace is an essential, core reference for any writer seeking to be published online for fun or profit.

In "Writer's Online Marketplace," Debbie Ridpath Ohi profiles several hundred paying online markets that accept freelance work. Only 118 pages of this 262-page are devoted to market listings, however. Ohi begins with an overview of writing for online audiences, discussing details such as Netiquette, online queries and submissions, copyright and contractual issues, networking, promotion, e-publishing, and the many types of online markets (including where one can find market info online). Only later does she profile the various markets available to aspiring and experienced freelancers alike.

To date, I've read about dozen books on writing, publishing, and promoting books and other work (I'm quickly devouring my local library's collection!). "Writer's Online Marketplace" is, by far, one of the more useful, enjoyable, thoughtful, and organized guides available. When reading a self- or e-publishing book, I oftentimes find myself wondering how in the world the author ever managed to publish and sell such an atrocious manuscript. In fact, it seems as though many writers are jumping on the "how-to" bandwagon and rushing their ill-conceived and underdeveloped manuals to print, trying to cash in on the current e-publishing trend (some excellent examples of this phenomenon include "How to Make Money Publishing from Home" by Lisa Shaw and "How to Publish and Promote Online" by M. J. Rose & Angela Adair-Hoy). "Writer's Online Marketplace," while it does have its flaws, is a welcome break from some of the other train wrecks I've encountered.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the real thing - she's an excellent writer as well as an expert veteran in the field. Her sentences and chapters flow together very well; in contrast to many how-to guides, she writes in a mature tone and doesn't "talk down" to her readers (no "Idiot's Guide" here!). She also features articles from guest essayists; again, this isn't uncommon among writing/publishing guides, but what is exceptional in this case is that she manages to integrate them seamlessly into the book. Each essay is placed into its proper context, and features an introduction and follow-up by Ohi (imagine that!).

Now for the cons. While I did find some sections to be quite informative (Chapter 2, "Online Queries & Submissions"; Chapter 5, "Contracts & Copyright"), others were noticeably lacking. For instance, Chapter 3, "Types of Online Markets," was very basic; writers who know not the difference between web portals and corporate sites, for example, should pick up a "Dummies' Guide to the `Net" before even thinking about querying an online editor! Likewise with Chapter 4, "Where to Find Market Information" (answer: on the publication's web site (you don't say!?)). The chapters on e-publishing and online promotion were disappointingly basic as well. I felt as though Chapter 9, "Insider Views" (a compilation of short, 2-3 page essays by/interviews of industry insiders) could have been omitted entirely, thus leaving more room for online promotion/networking tips and a lengthier discussion of electronic publishing (particularly eBooks).

Of course, the biggest problem I had was that a majority of the information is out of date - especially that contained in the market listings. This is understandable, as "Writer's Online Marketplace" was published in 2001 and has yet to be updated. While I won't detract any "stars" for this inevitability, I also won't be buying the book any time soon!

Although I didn't go through every market listing, I did skim through the entire section and looked up those that interested me. All told, I think I tried to visit the web sites of approximately half on the publications listed in the book. Of these, *maybe* a quarter were still online, active, and accepting queries and/or submissions (and this is a generous estimate!). Most of the links were broken, and a search for the publication's title with Google usually failed to help. The links that were still valid tended to take me to sites that had not been updated in quite some time - several years, in many cases. A few of the publications hadn't went belly-up, but were actually generating all their content in-house. In the end, I don't think I found a single new prospect at all! You see, by the time I consulted "Writer's Online Marketplace," I had already signed up for a half dozen market-database newsletters. Thus, I was already aware of the few interesting and accurate listings I found in "Writer's Online Marketplace."

To illustrate just how pervasive the problem is, consider this: Ohi points readers to her site, Inkspot, for further information in many instances (a site that she's run since 1995 and even won awards for, mind you). However, the site was bought out by Xlibris 2000 and shut down just eight months later. Thus, even the links to the author's own site are dead! Not that this is anyone's "fault," really, since this is just the nature of the beast. Nonetheless, it does render guides to the World Wide Web obsolete in a ridiculously short period of time. Which brings me to the punch line: if you can borrow "Writer's Online Marketplace" from the library, a friend, whatever, I say go for it; otherwise, save your money and wait for a revised edition to come out. In the meantime, scout the `Net for free (or even subscription-based) market listings: it's a much better use of your time and/or money. "Writer's Online Marketplace" would have been a great buy in 2001, but it's just too old to be of much use in 2005.

. . . and wring maximum value out of it. There are many places to sell your work and now you have a new one: online. The Web has created an enormous thirst for editorial material. Only writers can quench that thirst. You can be one of those writers.

Writer's Digest is well known for its line of Market Books, especially Writer's Market. This book is an extension but it contains a lot more information on this new place to sell your writing. Some of that foundational information is online queries and submissions, types of online markets, where to find market information, contracts and copyright, networking online, online promoting and ePublishing. Then a number of editors and authors relate their online experiences.

The book not only shows you how, it tells you where. 120 pages are devoted to detailed listings of more than 300 paying online markets for your work.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the founder of Inklings and Inkspot.com in Toronto and works for Xlibris in Philadelphia.

As the creator of The New Book Model (the electronic way to write, publish and promote books), I welcome this valuable tool for selling what you write. Whether you are writing magazine articles or nonfiction books, you will find this book an invaluable guide and a constant reference. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.

Writer's Online Marketplace edited by Debbie Ridpath Ohi does a masterful job in presenting the Web as an open marketplace where writers can have a go at promoting themselves through personal Websites, where they can publish their own literary works, where they can network and develop professional relationships with others, where they can gain wider reading audiences, and where they can generate an income. The book is packed with a wealth of essential online marketing information that will inspire every writer to proceed onward with their careers.

Readers receive concrete suggestions on how to get their name out. Advice includes using signature lines in e-mail messages, setting up informative Websites, joining mailing lists, writing press releases, publishing e-zines (or Webzines), conducting workshops, and establishing one's self as an expert - as a book reviewer perhaps?

Readers will learn how to network with others - including meeting those people they need to know to advance their writing careers. They will learn about the growing world of e-publishing - the pro's and con's of putting books into electronic format and posting them online. They will gain access to a number of online publications listed in the book that accept manuscripts for publication. They will also learn how to search for writing markets, how to submit manuscripts, negotiate contracts, and follow copyright laws that pertain to freelance work, e-books, and Websites.

The book is an essential guide to making the Web work for writers. The contributions of many seasoned writers makes this book a valuable tool for advancing writing pursuits. Writers of all walks of life and all levels of experience will benefit from its wealth of information. It will make an outstanding workshop textbook. Must reading!

It's taking the world by storm. Online writing is the new publishing wave, or shall we say tidal surge. As more and more readers become internet savvy, they surf for the written word. Almost every cyber site is posting articles and ads, as this infinite market expands. For those who are open to change, it offers opportunities in every genre. But, how do you break in? Writer's Online Marketplace offers a step-by-step guide. The book was written by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of an award-winning online resource and community for writers. Beginning with "The Basics", the volume presents a wealth of information to conquer the web. Included is an overview of online publishing, networking, promoting, and selling, and instructions for queries and submissions. There are also sections on web sites, rights, and markets. In addition to descriptions of publishing sites, there are suggestions from successful online writers. Reviewer's note- Since reading this book, I've had positive feedback from two online queries.

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered



Writer's Online Marketplace is one of the few review copies I have that will stay on my desk within easy reach.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi has compiled a book of informative articles-sage advice from other writers--to go with a section of very complete Market Listings, all paying! It covers everything from the very basics to "Insider Views." It even has a section that addresses "Online Promotion," my favorite subject. Its strength, however, is that list of more than 300 sites that pay their authors and the advice it gives on how to trace down sites that have changed addresses.

Each entry in Online Marketplace is very complete; that is a boon to writers looking for new markets because it curtails the amount of research they must do for themselves. Because the entries are so complete, the book would benefit from some easily spotted codes or icons at the beginning of each listing. Perhaps we can look forward to that in the next edition. I'm sure there will be one. Authors will want to keep on top of this rapidly changing market in yearly editions.
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The reviewer is the author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers.

This is an on line review-you are on line- that is the way people get information- and this book is the primer on how to get there. I learned a lot- you will too! Rick Frishman- Pres. Planned TV Arts.(NYC) Co-author GUERRILLA PUBLICITY and GUERRILLA MARKETING FOR WRITERS

Hey - this is an on line review-you are on line- that is the way people get information- and this book is the primer on how to get there. I learned a lot- you will too! Rick Frishman- Pres. Planned TV Arts. Co-author "GUERRILLA MARKETING FOR WRITERS"