The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is a British reference directory for writers, artists, playwrights, designers, illustrators and photographers. First published in 1906, it is revised, updated and published every year in July, while the Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is published annually in August. It now contains over 4,500 industry contacts and numerous articles giving advice to writers looking to be published.[1]Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). The BBC note " It is the listings that the book is really valued for, giving prospective authors and illustrators the addresses to which they can send their works". [1] Bloomsbury Publishing state that it is "acknowledged by the publishing industry, authors and would-be writers as the indispensable companion to navigating the world of publishing". Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). The Independent writes that the book "always offer solid information on the state of the market and the changing requirements of agents and publishers, along with those all-important contact details". [2] The Irish Times comments "every aspiring writer should have a copy" and that it is an "indispensable prop for the professional and aspiring writer". [3][4]The Western Mail calls it an essential author's handbook. [5] Personal Computer World write that "the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook has long been an invaluable resource for authors."[6]
Sections and Listings
editThe Yearbook contains the details of hundreds of societies, companies and other organisations across the media industries - publishers of books, newspapers and magazines, literary agents, prize-giving bodies and literary festivals. The listings are independently vetted, checked and updated throughout the year, giving over 4,500 contacts.[1] The issue is divided into the following sections:[1]
Newspapers and magazines
National newspapers UK and Ireland
Regional newspapers UK and Ireland
Magazines UK and Ireland
Newspapers and magazines overseas
Syndicates, news and press agencies
Books
Book publishers UK and Ireland
Book publishers overseas
Audio publishers
Book packagers
Book clubs
Poetry
Poetry organisations
Television, film and radio
Inside the BBC
Other broadcasters
Theatre
Theatre producers
Literary agents
Literary agents UK and Ireland
Literary agents overseas
Art and illustration
Art agents and commercial art studios
Card and stationery publishers that accept illustrations and photographs
Societies, prizes and festivals
Societies, associations and clubs
Prizes and awards
Literature festivals
Digital and self-publishing
Self-publishing providers
Resources for writers
Writers' retreats
Libraries
Creative writing courses
Copyright and libel
Finance for writers and artists
Forewords 2000-present
editAuthors who have written the foreword for the Yearbook in recent years include:
- J.K. Rowling (2000)
- Rosie Thomas (2001)
- Deborah Moggach (2002)
- Doris Lessing (2003)
- Eoin Colfer (2004)
- Maeve Binchy (2005)
- Terry Pratchett (2006)
- Ian Rankin (2007)
- Alexander McCall Smith (2008)
- Kate Mosse (2010)
- John Boyne (2011)
- William Boyd (2012)
- Lawrence Norfolk (2013)
- Martina Cole (2014)
The Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook
editThe Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is designed to guide authors writing for children of all ages. Like the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook, it provides annually updated listings of who to contact within the children's publishing industry and also includes articles from contributors offering advice in the different stages of the publishing process.
External Links
editWriters' and Artists website
Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition
The Bookseller, 'Writers and Artists Yearbook launches social networking' article
The Lancashire Writing Hub, 'Tips on How to Get Published'
References
edit- ^ a b c d "The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook", BBC
- ^ "What Should You Do If You Want to Get Your First Novel Published?" The Independent, 4 January 2008
- ^ "Essential reading for writers", The Irish Times 13 September 2003
- ^ "Loose Leaves" The Irish Times , 14 August 2004
- ^ "The Insider", Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), 14 August 2010
- ^ "Getting expert help", Personal Computer World, 27 November 2008