The Writers Handbook 2005 (Writer's Handbook) (Paperback)

~ Elfreida Abbe (Author) "If you are like me, you knew you wanted to be a writer when you picked up your first book and read it..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Proposal Process, Sample Titles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The annual Writer's Handbook competes neck-and-neck with the better-known Writer's Market. The 2002 Handbook lists 3,300 markets and resources; the 2002 Market "about 4,000." Though the Handbook blurbs are not as detailed as the Market's, they are a whole lot easier on the eyes. What differentiates the Handbook from the competition is about three times as many articles about the writing life. The book's 61 such pieces, most reprinted from The Writer magazine, are by the likes of Sue Grafton, John Ciardi, and Maeve Binchy. In a piece titled "Everything You Need to Know About Writing Successfully--in Ten Minutes," Stephen King recommends that you "be talented," "remove every extraneous word," and "never look at a reference book while doing a first draft." This is the first Writer's Handbook in many years not to have been edited by Sylvia Burack; the transition to a new editor, Elfrieda Abbe, appears seamless. --Jane Steinberg --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

“Invaluable for any aspiring author yearning to break into print and make a living out of what they write.” -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1003 pages
• Publisher: Writer, Inc.; 69 edition (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871162121
• ISBN-13: 978-0871162120
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #952,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding anthology of articles and essays, October 10, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writer's Handbook 2002 (Paperback)

The Writer's Handbook 2002 is a superbly presented 700 page compendium of practical advice and informative insight on how to succeed as a professional writer. This outstanding anthology of articles and essays by established and successful writers covers every aspect of the writing process from original concepts to research to marketing. From Stephen King, Anne Rice, and John Updike, to Jane Yolen, Elmore Leonard, and Wallace Stegner, the range of diverse authors is nothing short of impressive and their counsel will provide invaluable for any aspiring author yearning to break into print and make a living out of what they write.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A writer's best friend, October 5, 2003

By	Karina A. Suarez (Walt Disney World, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Writer's Handbook 2003 (Writer's Handbook) (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two versions, US and UK, with Same Title, December 31, 2002

By	John Roberts "www.CanFighter.com" (Baltimore, MD (USA)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Writer's Handbook 2003 (Writer's Handbook) (Paperback)

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.