Directories Books

I own every edition of Writer's Market (WM) from 1997 on (which was the year I first discovered these jewels), and I'm dying to get my hands on the new Writer's Market 2001 "Internet Edition" (Sep 2000).

The power these guides offer depends on how thorough of a market search you are forced into conducting when you first start out as a freelance writer. If you run into a market that does not provide enough guideline information -- in a current edition -- if you have older WM edition(s), you can look back to see what the deal is. This can be especially important if you run into a magazine that you believe might be one of the few you are going to be able to break in to.

For example, I discovered a number of incredibly good ideas for children's stories that would fit perfectly within the pages of "Ranger Rick" magazine (National Wildlife Federation).

The WM 2000 CD-ROM listed an editor, but very limited contact info and guidelines (as in NO guidelines):

(Ranger Rick is) "40% freelance written. Monthly magazine for children from ages 7-12, with the greatest concentration in the 7-10 age bracket. *Because of a backup in submissions, the editorial staff at Ranger Rick is not accepting queries or unsolicited manuscripts until further notice."

Ouch! What to do? I looked in in older WMs to see how long Ranger Rick had been having a "backup in submissions." WM 99 listed full writers guidelines and pay-info and well, I'm waiting to see whether Ranger Rick editors like my ideas or if they're going to toss them because of a "backup in submissions." :-)

This book is a must for anybody who wants to work in Film\TV - invaluable for building up contacts, which is what drives the film industry. It's admittedly a tad pricey for someone who doesn't need it, but exceptionally useful, and well laid out.

I call this guide "the campers bible". Don't leave home without it! We always travelled with confidence, assured that we would love the place we picked,we never worried about where we were going to stay.This guide also lets you go on spur of the moment trips without having to do lots of research and planning. Best of all, you can travel to the state of your choice and whenever you get tired of driving find the nearest campground where you're always with family. It's always packed away in our camper.

If you are trying to contact decision makers in your particular market area this book is a wonder. You at a glance know all of the pertinent information regaring the company you wish to contact. Or perhaps from reviewing the information in this book you know that this is not a call you need to waste your time on because they are not the market you are currently targeting. Get the updated book every year to stay current with your information.

Be sure that you do not overlook this meca of manufacturing. the japanese sure did not. A rare and precious jewel.

Writer's Market is to a writer as a hammer is to a carpenter--an absolutely essential tool.

AND, the '99 edition has added, valuble, useful goodies. Just checked one catagory of magazines, found 6 new ones, 2 dropped from the previous edition. Point: truly up-to-date.

I'd been using the paper version for decades, then told by a writer-friend of the advantages of the CD ROM version. Have it now, and it IS indeed superior!

There is really no review one can write for this text. Outlines are, verbatim, the business of the House and Senate for the past year. I would not reccomend telling someine they should read this book as a novel, however if one is looking to understand Robert's Rules, or Parlimentary Procedure, or if one wants to know how business is consucted on the floor than this text can be quite interesting. I must say that it is quite provocative to be reading government. That is what this really is. It is interesting to read legislation as it comes from those who are writing it.

This is the Who's Who in government for the delivery of human services (welfare reform, children's services, etc.) around the country. Whether you need a contact for research or information, are just seeking direction or assistance, or just want to express an opinion, this resource can help direct you to the right place. This is very practical and useful for those who work with or need to navigate state government, particularly if you are seeking contacts in multiple states.

From student pilot to ATP, this book offers something of interest to anyone who loves airplanes. Some of the web sites profiled are simply entertaining, while others offer a wealth of information pertaining to aviation safety, weather, aircraft manufacturing, and virtually any other aviation-related topic that you could imagine. I'm ordering this book for several of my flying friends for Christmas....there truly is something in this book for every pilot.

Franchising may be the best starting path for any entrepreneur and this is the ultimate guide. This guide gives you a complete listing of nearly every franchise available as well as such vital information as what level of support the franchisor provides, if the franchisor provides financing, and the approximate costs of starting a particular franchise.