2013 Writer's Market Deluxe Edition

Caution: Review pertains to 2011 edition:

I finished my first novel and purchased a 2011 Writer's Market at a local library to see whether it might be worth buying a 2013 edition. Horrors! From pages 7-94 inclusive, there are DOZENS of typos. I found misspellings, dropped words, a repeated paragraph, and more.

There's a difference between straights and straits, insure and ensure, compliment and complement, and golds and gods, none of which is understood by the writer(s). "Baguette" has been spelled "baggett," and "sidebar" has been spelled "sidbar," while "whose" is "who's." Don't get me started on comma placement or subject/verb number agreement! My freshman English teacher would have had a herd of cows if I had turned in an assignment with this many mistakes in it.

Bob Medak becomes Bob Medack within two paragraphs. "Flesh out" becomes "flush out," and Rolodex has become Roladex. I do not think I have ever purchased a book with this many mistakes in less than a hundred pages. Now, all that having been said, there is a wealth of information to be had here. And perhaps by now, someone has ferreted out and corrected these errors. But for a book that is boasting its 90th anniversary, the spelling, grammar and punctuation are -- well, they're just plain bad! Frankly, I'm tempted to pick up a 2012 or even a 2013, just to see if things got any better. One would expect better from a book about authors, editors, and publishers.

(Posted on 11/16/12)

I am very disappointed that they did not print Greeting Card companies. I need updated addresses and guidelines and would like to know of any new smaller companies. My last Writer's Market was 1989 and it had everything I needed then.

(Posted on 10/7/12)

A number of major magazines (i.e. Westways, Budget Travel) are missing from this current edition. Best to just visit desired publications website and locate Guidelines.

(Posted on 9/27/12)

I imagine that eventually, if not already, this book will be digital. While there is nothing wrong with that, somehow being able to thumb through or leave the pages open at a good reference or article, and having a table of contents and index seems so much more comfortable and comforting. My last Writer's Market Book that I purchased was in 1985, that is how long it has been since I have decided to write again. The Writer's Market 2013 does not disappoint. It is chock full of information. Great job of sorting out and organizing a massive amount of information into one place. Much easier than slinging all over the web.

(Posted on 9/22/12)

Since my last Writer's Market was from 2009, I wanted to get my hands on the most recent copy. WM 2013 is not a disappointment. Though the printing is a tad tinier, the layout is great and includes several markets I look for: humor, women's, small press, etc. This current edition is top notch!

(Posted on 9/17/12)

This is a very useful, well-laid out guide. My one caveat that I could not locate agents who handle a particular sub-genre that I needed. Bravo!!

(Posted on 9/4/12)

The annual Writer's Market is an absolute must for any serious writer. Whether you're starting out or you've been on the road a while, if you write, you need the Writer's Market.

(Posted on 8/21/12)