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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive Update to Annual Market Guide, January 18, 2007
The "Christian Writers' Market Guide" is still the reference book every Christian writer needs. It should be a gimmee purchase by all writers within a Christian focus. Buy this year's edition. Buy next year's edition. Plan on the following year as well.
This year is especially important because of the CD inclusion.
First and foremost, this edition comes with a CD. This is a big deal because previous editions missed this, depite that its secular sister book, "Writer's Market" by Writer's Digest, has had a digital version for years (this year's edition is online). On the CD, you'll find 1,000+ publications. Unlike WM, the price for the book and digital version is kept reasonable.
* 1,185 markets. Pick a Christian denomination (Catholic and Protestant), and their publication is likely listed. While this year has slightly fewer than last year, the value is in that these are updated. Many smaller and denominational publishers move and/or close.
* 695 periodicals, 355 book publishers. Think of how many you are aware of? "Christianity Today," "New Man," "Decision" are probably at the top of your mind for periodicals. Tyndale (famous for "Left Behind" and "The Living Bible," as well as the calligraphy of Tim Botts), NavPress, InterVarsity Press (the publishing arm of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) are probably among the book publishers you know. Maybe you know a few more. Here, you'll discover how vast the Christian publishing world is.
Literary agents, contests, advice for various markets, editorial services, market analysis, specialty markets (like greeting cards) all have sections. If you are a photographer, you'll find 321 markets.
Stuart's market analysis can help new writers figure out the religious publishing mileau and improve how they target their writing.
If you are looking to connect with other writers, you'll be happy to find the lists of writers' groups and clubs, and for conferences and workshops. A key group is the Evangelical Press Association, but there are smaller ones geared for denominations and market.
The structure is similar to previous editions, but, as always, the current year provides the most accurate data.
Each publication starts with symbols indicating if it is new, if the data is confirmed, and if they pay. There's the title, the contact info including a URL, an editor's name, a brief description, the page count and circulation number, the subscription cost, percentage freelanced, submission preference, payment style, and general content needs.
You can see how any writer aiming for the Christian market at large would find this an indispensable volume. It fills in the gaps left open by the very useful "Writer's Digest" market guides, and provides the required tools for connecting writer and publisher.
I fully recommend the "Christian Writers' Market Guide," as it remains the best (and only) option for any Christian writer. If you buy it only once every few years, this edition, thanks to the CD, is worth dropping down a few bucks.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
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