2003 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market (Paperback)

by Anne Bowling (Editor), Vanessa Lyman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
So you've sequestered yourself in your garret, banged out what you humbly regard as the best short story since Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants," only to arrive at that perplexing and unnerving juncture: Now what? Anyone who's ever been daunted by the prospect of publishing their work will benefit from this updated edition (the 22nd) of the grand poobah of reference texts for the emerging writer. Thick as a phone book, this well-organized guide offers a series of friendly indexes and practical symbols to help users navigate its wealth of listings: agents, book publishers, online and print literary magazines, contests, conferences and resources for the genre writer. Peppered with tips (how to avoid the ignoble stamp of amateur, the do's and don'ts of query letters), interviews with authors such as Pulitzer Prize-winning Michael Chabon (on his "process of discovery") and advice from veteran editors like The Kenyon Review's Nancy Zafris, this trusty volume links up writers with their appropriate markets while preparing them for the long and often rejection-riddled road ahead. The section on graduate writing programs is an appropriate addition considering the discipline they provide, not to mention their astronomical rise in popularity, but prospective students should not be misled: the letters MFA do not grant automatic flight over the murky, purgatorial slush pile or have an open-sesame effect on the publishing industry. Neither does this book, of course, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
If you write fiction, the 2003 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market is the first, crucial step to your publishing success. Inside you'll find completely updated market entries for book publishers, magazines, literary agents, contests and script houses, plus brand new information on e-publishers, including interviews with industry experts, editors of e-magazines and more! Whether you write literary short stories or whodunit mysteries, other-worldly science fiction or passionate romance, each listing provides you with all the information you need to reach those people who can get your work in print.

Product Details

• Paperback: 690 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; Revised edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582971471
• ISBN-13: 978-1582971476
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,195,735 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, you need a new edition every year!, November 18, 2002

By	Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

NOVEL AND SHORT STORY WRITER'S MARKET is the book that almost every aspiring writer buys - and for good reason. With listings for book publishers, commercial magazines, literary journals, agents, contests, conferences, and now e-publishers, this market guide provides a fairly comprehensive look at the possibilities. Writers new to the business will appreciate the submission guidelines and the insider look into publishing. Established writers will go straight to the listings which provide not only contact information but also editorial needs, writers published, length requirements, and payment specifics. I find the small boxes of interviews scattered throughout a fun and occasionally instructive diversion.

Yes, even if you bought the 2002 edition, you need to buy this. The 2003 edition lists changes in editorial staff, new markets, changed addresses, and shifting requirements. If you want to become a professional, you need to have the most current information available. This book, while not perfect and certainly not comprehensive, comes the closest to gathering all the pertinent information in one place.

As a published author, I can honestly recommend this book as a solid resource for getting your work in print.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pay Rates, Contact Info, Submission Guidelines & More, December 5, 2002

By	FictionAddiction.NET - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Fiction writers rejoice! The new edition of the "Novel and Short Story Writer's Market" is on the market and better than ever.

Inside you'll find close to 700 pages of valuable tools for fiction writers. In addition to the hundreds of pages of market listings, there's also writing contest information, conference details and articles from industry insiders.

The articles tackle such topics as what happens after a contract is signed, query letters and the business of fiction writing. Alternative publishing avenues such as electronic publishing and print on demand are also explored.

Sections of this guide include:

* Personal Views - A collection of articles featuring some of today's top authors and their insight on writing.

* Craft & Technique - How-to instruction on novel beginnings, subject matter and more.

* Getting Published - Details contracts, queries and the business aspects of your writing career.

* Electronic Publishing - Information on the new venture many authors are taking, plus print on demand pros and cons.

* For Mystery Writers - Key resources for mystery writers regarding rejection, defining space and a mystery market directory.

* For Romance Writers - Writing for urban women, categorizing your romance projects and emotions within your fiction.

* For Science Fiction/Fantasy & Horror Writers - Essentials for getting the most out of these three genres as well as a market directory.

* The Markets - Literary agent listings and insider reports on agents.

* Resources - Writing programs, conferences, organizations, info for Canadian writers and a dictionary of printing and production terms.

This guide is an absolute must for fiction writers wanting to see their work in print. Even if you have a previous year's edition, you must get the current year to be ahead of the publishing game. With contact information, market needs and pay rates changing, the current year edition is the only way to get your foot in a publisher's door.

No matter what type of fiction you write, the "2003 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market" is an excellent investment in your writing career.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Resource, July 8, 2003

By A Customer

Short and sweet: Regarding the "Novel & Short Story Writer's Market" - I used contacts from the 2001 book and sold 3 stories. I used contacts from the 2002 book and sold 5 stories. I am buying 2003 now. Sure, rejections abound regardless but, don't dwell on "sour grapes". Use the contacts enough and you will succeed!!! This is a good resource.