The Writers and Artists Yearbook
A great resource for writers.
At the time of writing this blog, I’m reminded that my father would have turned 99 today. Sadly, he’s no longer with us. His experiences as a photographer in the RAF inspired the world war two settings of my books. I’d love him to know that I eventually made it as the writer he always encouraged me to be.
When I was 21 he gave me a hardbound copy of The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. My mother was furious. It had cost £24, a lot of money in those days, and she could have bought me a necklace with the same amount. At the time I’d rather have had a necklace too. What on earth was this strange book with pages and pages of information about publishers? I couldn’t think of a use for it and I’m afraid it stayed on my bookshelf, unread, for a very long time.
Fast forward thirty years and I received a second copy of The Writers and Artists’ Yearbook, this time from my son, and at my request. By now I knew exactly what it was for. I’d become a keen amateur writer and I considered the book to be a bible for the would-be published.
It’s updated each year, (and now online of course) with the most recent information about the publishing industry. You can use it to search agents, magazine editors and publishing houses, amongst other things. New writers seeking representation are always advised to ‘do their homework’ before submitting a manuscript, and The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook will help you work out which agents represent your genre and what their submission requirements are. If you write short stories and articles, you can also glean the names and addresses of publications which might be interested in your work. There are also some fascinating articles by people in the trade – writers, publishers, editors, agents – who will increase your understanding of the way the industry works.
I often wish I could thank my dad for his early belief in my writing. And how I would like to tell him that the book that had so baffled me all those years ago is now essential reading.