[.ca] The Writer's Handbook 2003 (ISBN 0871161966)

From Amazon.com:
The annual Writer's Handbook competes neck-and-neck with the better-known Writer's Market. The 2002 Handbook lists 3,300 markets and resources; the 2002 Market "about 4,000." Though the Handbook blurbs are not as detailed as the Market's, they are a whole lot easier on the eyes. What differentiates the Handbook from the competition is about three times as many articles about the writing life. The book's 61 such pieces, most reprinted from The Writer magazine, are by the likes of Sue Grafton, John Ciardi, and Maeve Binchy. In a piece titled "Everything You Need to Know About Writing Successfully--in Ten Minutes," Stephen King recommends that you "be talented," "remove every extraneous word," and "never look at a reference book while doing a first draft." This is the first Writer's Handbook in many years not to have been edited by Sylvia Burack; the transition to a new editor, Elfrieda Abbe, appears seamless. --Jane Steinberg

A Reference with Value Equal to that of its Competition:
I first saw THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK sometime in the mid-1970s. I was already aware of (and owned) WRITER'S MARKET, but as always and still, I craved more market information. I found it in THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK. What's the difference between the two? Oh, where to begin ... THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK has the nice feature of listing items in multiple categories when appropriate. THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK and WRITER'S MARKET each contain listings the other doesn't. Some listings are more informational in one than the other. And of course the articles are different in each. And, if nothing else, when I cannot turn up a listing that turns me on, or info I need in one market book, there's always the other. The bottom line: I recommend THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK equally and concurrently with WM. Buy or borrow both!

Two versions, US and UK, with Same Title:
The buyer should note that there are two versions, one published in the US (67th edition, editor Elfreida Abbe, published by The Writer) and the UK version (16th edition, editor Barry Turner, published by Macmillan in London). Each emphasizes its respective market, and the US version includes many articles by writers.

Best Writer's Resource:
If you were to use only two of the best writer's resources I would say that "The Writer's Market" and this book along with it as your main tools of marketing and refining your work. Why this book? This book contains about 60 articles of advice by the most successful writers in the business. Even for a beginner this may be the only book they'll use. It's packed with useful information. It's gives the writer techniques, inspiration and advice. Some of these techniques are discussed how to find more time to write, creating memorable characters and revising your writing. It evens tells you specific wways to market your work, designing your website and writing for niche markets. As an added plus there are over 3000 listings of markets and resources including 2000 magazines in 45 categories ranging from performing arts and religion to adult literary to juvenile. Each one with descriptions and contact information. There's 600 book publishers, plus organizations and a glossary. This is one source that will be referred to many times over. I know I have. This is one of the best writer's resource book you can get. I'm sure this is to be updated in 2003.

A writer's best friend:
This is a veeeery long book, but it's most definitely worth it for any writer, and I recommend purchasing it on an annual basis. Before I decided on a market guide for the writing craft, I compared this book to "Writer's Market", by the editors of Writer's Digest magazine; and I must say that I love their bookclub, but "The Writer's Handbook 2003" is the guide that I picked up for me. Nowadays, competitiveness is everywhere, and in a market so vast and varied as the one for the writing craft, one needs a guide that feels also like a close friend. Thank God I found it in this big book (my copy is full of colored flags sticking out of it, marking my choices for submission, conferences I'd like to attend, etc). The first part includes selected articles that at some point or another have been previously published throughout the year in "The Writer" magazine. Everything from inspirational ideas, to legal advice on copyright and selling your material through the different magazines and agents, advice for poets, etc. There is also an article on how to better set up your website, something that is no longer an option but a "must" as a promotional tool; plus conversations with famous authors. The different listings include non-fiction and fiction magazines, with as much information as possible on requirements, website, editor's name, etc.; book publishers, agents, arts councils and syndicates, writer's colonies and conferences, prizes and awards, drama and theater, TV and film producers; even greeting card publishers. I recommend purchasing this guide on an annual basis or, at least bi-annually; if the price comes to be a bit too stiff for you. All the same, it can become your best friend.

A SUPERB POOL OF RESOURCES:
This completely revised "Writer's Handbook" boasts of updated information, which would benefit anyone who intends to write or edit any type of book. It is quite a remarkable improvement over the previous edition; and everything about it seem to advertise its authority. Although that being a successful writer depends on a lot of factors, this book has a way of providing solid guidance for both aspiring writers and the more established ones. Its pool of resources is superb.