Mar 08 2009
Book Review: 2007 Writers Market
I’m really enjoying this book, its full of information about book publishers, consumer magazines, trade journals, literary agents and exclusive interviews with writers and publishing professionals on the business of writing. It also has the listings of Contests & Awards, which is very useful when you first start out writing.I always thought that if I were to write a fantastic novel, that I would be offered a high sum of money for it. Judging by the success stories of JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyers and a select few. That can happen in some “rare” cases, but if you had any idea of how many thousands of manuscripts were submitted and only a set number are published, then you would understand that those writers are special. It’s better to write several novels or stories and have them published in several contests first. Also develop a fan club or readers that love what you do. That way if you publish a book, they are more than likely to read it just because your the author.They say it’s best to focus on one area and become a known expert on it. Yes I agree with that statement, that is good for writing a weekly article but I think as a writer and i’m a Gemini, I just have to expand myself and write about everything and anything that comes to mind. It’s a learning experience along the way, when doing research, you tend to grasp many concepts. I remember back in high school I didnt’ like my history class because the content was boring, but my teacher (okay, sorry I’ve forgotten his name) would always start the class with a joke. He was awesome, after laughing so hard, we would open the books and be ready to learn something new that day. He always made it interesting. I’m sad to say he died two years later of cancer and his students all miss him. My other history teacher was very serious and dry, no humour at all. I found his classes tedious but as a Teacher, he had a great personality. I ended up skipping those classes and passed with low marks. Here I am now twenty years later, studying all the same stuff and finding it facinating. I can’t figure out why? Can anyone enlighten me on this strange phenomena. Is it because the brain has matured? Or is it because I’m interested in writing something semi factual/semi fictional (Barbara Cartlands romance books were fiction spiced with real life historical events).For any inspiring writers, you must read this book from cover to cover. I orignally thought it was just a directory until I opened it. Full of golden nuggets of wisdom from those who have been in the business for years. Its kind of cool to read the different years, because the stories change and you can watch their careers evolve if you pay attention to those kind of details.Please also take a look at the newest “2009 Writers Market and Writers Market Deluxe by Robert Brewer ” are now available as well. Other books by Robert Brewer can be found here.Idea for the day*** Someone should write a book about all the mistakes they made as a writer and give the rest of us a heads up!***
