Christian Writers' Market Guide: The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer [With CDROM]

The cover of the Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009 has this written: The Essential (in bold) reference tool for the Christian writer. This is no exaggeration. Any writer serious about breaking into and staying in the industry needs this on their desk. Sally Stuart creates every possible piece of information one would need to publish. I read a lot of agent and publisher blogs and their major complaint is writers send in material not appropriate for the place they are sending. These writers must not have the Christian Writers' Market Guide. The book covers what each place is about, their guidelines, if you need an agent for the place, everything. In addition, new this year includes a CD Rom as a handy guide that has contacts for 1,000 markets. It's obvious Sally not only did her homework, she did yours and mine. She also writes about what trends she sees and other valuable informtion. This is a goldmine that you'd be foolish not to pursue. I also encourage you to subscribe to Sally Stuart's blog feed as she is constantly updating informtion.

The latest edition of Sally Stuart's Market Guide continues the same excellence found in previous editions. This book is an extensive resource for both the beginning and experienced writer looking to expand their work in the Christian market. The key listings are book publishers, periodicals, greeting card/gift/specialty markets, a help section, indexes and glossary and also includes a CD-ROM with a multitude of additional resources. Each key section is further subdivided into more specialized headings, making it easy for a writer to look for a specific topic. The same holds true for the periodical section and the specialty markets. Within the book, listings carry information on: mailing address, phone and fax numbers, website, email addresses, information on what that particular listing publishes and how many/year, compensation information, guidelines or how to obtain them, and so forth. The information with each listing can vary. The CD-ROM also contains information not listed in the book--information for hundreds of markets. Books or periodicals can be found in the topical index or in the alphabetical index. There are also listing for subsidy publishers, distributors and a market analysis for each section. Sally Stuart's Market Guides have been a staple in my library for several years. Her market guides are an important resource for anyone looking to write for the Christian market.

Recently I've bought -- and actually used -- the Writer's Market. I knew that there was a version for Christian markets, but I had never bought it, even though the few small paid publishing jobs I've gotten have been in Christian markets. That said, I was excited to get my hands on Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009. This market guide provides information that the more general Writer's Market cannot provide for such a wide audience. Some of the topics covered include * contest listings * market analysis of the periodicals listed in addition to the most popular topics covered by the periodicals * writing groups, conferences and workshops * and of course magazine markets, book publishers, and literary agents If you enjoy writing, I assure you that there is a market that is probably looking for what you have to contribute. If you write from a Christian perspective, the Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009 will give you helpful tips and ideas which can help you get published if you are willing to do the work and the research.

If you are a Christian writer Sally Stuart's "Christian Writers' Market Guide" is so useful that I call it essential. I bought my first edition back in 1999 and find the 2009 edition is every bit as helpful for me. Be sure to buy the newest edition, since the publishing world is in constant flux, so you need current information. Many editors change jobs often and you don't want to address queries to someone who no longer works there. The book lists 654 periodicals, 416 book publishers and almost 100 agents, and what they want and how to contact them. Read their requirements carefully, and follow them. If it says "no fiction" don't send them a novel, if it says "manuscripts from agents only", don't send your manuscript to them, etc. Sally Stuart includes many extras here, including greeting card and other specialty publishers, writers' conferences and writers' groups, and a CD-Rom with additional information comes with the book. As I use my copy, I write notes in it to record which magazines I have queried with which ideas, and which articles I have sold. I met Sally at a writers' conference once, and can vouch for her wide ranging knowledge of the Christian publishing industry. I understand that this writers' guide book series began as a labor of love for her, and has now expanded to become quite a big success story.

Are you interested in becoming a writer? Have you written a manuscript for a book and you need to find an agent or a publisher? Do you have articles you'd like to have published in Christian magazines? If so, the Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009 by Sally E. Stuart is a must have resource. This resource tool for Christian writers has an extensive list of book publishers organized by topic such as: apologetics, church traditions, divorce, fiction (broken down into about 30 subtopics), humor, personal growth, prayer, spiritual gifts, world issues, and several hundred more. The same is true for periodicals and other markets (greeting cards, games, videos, etc.) Each listing tells you essential information in addition to contact information such as whether the publisher requires manuscripts be submitted through agents or refuses manuscripts through agents; whether your submission should be made by hard copy, on disk, or by e-mail; how many new books are published each year and how many are by new writers; whether monetary advances are given to writers, whether royalties are paid or if remuneration is by flat fee and the average amounts paid; the average number of books printed in the first printing; preferred length of manuscripts; deadlines for submitting seasonal writings (for instance, articles regarding Christmas, Passover, etc.) and so very much more. Each entry for a publisher or periodical has a wealth of information. There also is a section entitled "Resources for Writers" which includes two new sections from previous editions, "Writers' Helps" and "Writing Communities". There is information regarding agents and numerous tips for getting established as a writer (for instance, you may want to concentrate on getting published before you worry about being paid for your writing). A CD-Rom is included with the book with contacts for 1,000 markets. If you don't know the first thing about how to get published, this is the one and only book you need. It's well organized and I was amazed at how many issues it brought up I wouldn't have even thought to ask. One additional tidbit. There is information in the book about how to receive automatic updates of this book and lock in the price for future editions.