Writer’s Market: a writer’s wish-book
Posted on January 27, 2008 in This Writing Life by DM
We were at breakfast today at Porky’s, and our favorite waitress, Kristin, told us she is a writer. I was delighted - she has such enthusiasm for her own work, none of that “I like to write but I’m not very good.” So I was telling her about a reference book for writers called “Writer’s Market” - it’s an annual volume listing all the various outlets where writers can submit their work for publication.
When she had left the table, my husband asked me to explain again what it was, so I did, and I mentioned that I don’t have my 2008 edition yet because it’s kind of expensive. I told him I had been buying my annual copy every year for about the last 20 years. It’s a great browsing book, one that gives me ideas for stories and articles just by reading about what the magazines are looking for. He asked me why I keep buying it even though I don’t make a concentrated effort to sell much of my work. I told him the book is important for another reason… it was a reason I knew about in my heart, but had never shared before:
“Buying that book every year, even if I don’t sell a piece of writing, is a sign that I still think of myself as a writer,” I said. “It’s like hope. The year I don’t buy a copy of Writer’s Market is the year I’ve given up on that dream.”
At that point I had tears running down my face and my family looked a little stunned. “Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t realize it was that important to me until just now.”
Of course, there’s no way I’m not a writer. I write three blogs, I write daily at work, I have a novel in progress. But the fact is, it’s nearly impossible to find time these days to capture a moment where I feel like I did the day my great-aunt gave me my first pine study desk, when I sat down and just knew what I needed to be doing for the rest of my life - even though I was only in second grade.
So the Writer’s Market is kind of a short-cut… a visual cue that reminds me of who I am, even though I can no longer sit at my little study desk and soak in the feeling. Without it, I’m still a writer… but I’m not a dreamer.
Suddenly Writer’s Market doesn’t seem so expensive.
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I can appreciate your post as one who first felt the compulsion to write in sixth grade (and who was a reader practically from infancy)! Because I now do most of my reading and writing on the Web, I’d also like to recommend the online version of The Writers Market. It’s got more up-to-date information, is convenient, and helps keep my desk from getting too cluttered!
You can find the online version here: http://www.writersmarket.com/
Brenda Friedrich’s last blog post..How many cooks in the kitchen?
Brenda, thanks for the reminder about the online edition. I can see me using the two in tandem - I need to have that volume to page through… just like I still need to write with pen and paper now and then… but the web edition will definitely be more current for pursuing actual assignments. Thanks for mentioning it! ~ Janet
Love your post! I, too, fancy myself a “writer,” (and I am, but just don’t devote my WHOLE self to it). Reason I’m commenting is to let you know that we are starting a Beaverdale Writer’s Group and since you said Porky’s was one of your spots, I wondered if you (or Kristin) would be interested in joining. Let me know.
Kelly, thanks for the offer! I will mention it to Kristin - I would love to be part of the group but I can’t make the time commitment right now. Maybe in the future - thanks for thinking of me! ~ Janet
DM’s last blog post..Writer’s Market: a writer’s wish-book
I really wanted to thank you for bringing this resource up. As you may have read, back in November, my family tried the National Novel Writing Month challenge (http://brandchef.blogspot.com/2007/11/nanowrimo-is-almost-over.html).
While I didn’t complete the full 50K words, my wife did. And has continued to write to this day. I think she’s somewhere in the 100K word range and is starting to edit for a final manuscript.
I was looking for something to get her for accomplishing this task, and since our anniversary is next week, I thought “BING!” Perfect solution - Not so romantic, but supportive and thoughtful… Maybe I’ll give it to her over a nice, candle-lit dinner.
Thank you again. And thank you for the inspiration and direction.
Keep Cooking -
Andrew
Andrew B. Clark’s last blog post..Look Who’s Getting Fresh
Andrew, perhaps a good companion resource would be the Writer’s Digest volume that can help her find an agent to market her book! That one’s called the 2008 Guide to Literary Agents - it lists agents and what type of work they accept, whether they are reviewing new clients, and the steps the writer should take to become a client (hint: never PAY an agent to read or evaluate your work! They are supposed to review the work for free, and decide whether to represent you based on the quality of the work and whether it fits the publishers they work with.) Here’s a link to it over on the Writer’s Digest Book Club: http://www.fwbookstore.com/product/1537/writing - but you can probably also find it at the larger book stores, or have it ordered in through your local independent bookseller.
Trust me: if my hubby gave me THESE for our anniversary?? He’d be getting a fine reward!
Janet
I am currently taking a Feature Article Writing Course and am very “green.” I need some help!!!!!!!
Faye
Faye, ask away! If you have some specific questions, I’d love to be able to help. I can also recommend a couple additional books for you that I’ve found really helpful in the article-writing world!
~ Janet
DM/Janet’s last blog post..Narcisse under fire from school board
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