Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published
from the Editor’s of Writer’s Digest
Writer's Digest Books, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1-58297-608-2
ISBN-10: 1-58297-608-2
$19.99 paperback, 368 pages

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Read an Excerpt!
Find out how to use your website, blog, and social networking presence to promote your writing.

About the Book
Everything you need to succeed in the business of writing! You have the ideas and the desire—but how do you get your writing published? Find out here! Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published gives you the inspiration and instruction you need to achieve long-term success in an ever-changing industry. This authoritative guide explores the ins and outs of the business of writing to provide you with:

•    an exclusive look at the latest publishing industry trends
•    guidelines for writing and selling fiction, nonfiction, and scripts
•    techniques for conducting productive research
•    innovative marketing and self-promotion strategies
•    a comprehensive look at viable self-publishing options
•    contract negotiation tips that really work
•    a pricing guide so that you always know what your work is worth in the marketplace
•    a glossary of publishing terms to give you a competitive edge

Plus, get insider tips from magazine and book editors and successful freelancer writers on what works—and what doesn’t.

With Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published, you’ll know exactly what it takes to get your work out into the marketplace, get it published, and get paid for it.


Table of Contents

Part One: Your Writing Game Plan

1. The (Brave New) Writer’s World
The Magazine Market Up Close; The World of Books; Charting Your Path: Books or Magazines?; Getting Started

2. From Idea to Market
The Great Idea; To Market; Resources for Finding the Right Market

3. Get Off Your Butt and Write
Choose to Write; Make Writing a Habit; Your Writing Plan

4. Researching Your Ideas
Finding the Right Information; Search Engines; Libraries; Business and Government Sources; Tips and Tricks for Effective Research

Part Two: To Market, to Market

5. Before You Write That Query Letter
Building Your Platform: Your Number One Job; Do I Need a Literary Agent?; OK, So How Do I Get One?; Preparing Yourself for a Wall of Rejection; Resources

6.  Selling Your Articles
Avoiding Rejection; Finding Magazine Markets for Your Ideas; Stringing for Newspapers; Crafting a Query Letter; Resources; Sample Queries

7. Selling Your Nonfiction Book
Finding a Publisher; Make Your Book Competitive; Crafting a Book Query Letter; Crafting a Book Proposal; Resources for Putting Together Your Proposal

8. Selling Your Fiction
Selling Your Short Stories; Selling Your Novel; Crafting a Fiction Proposal; A Note on Promotion; Resources; Sample Novel Query Letter; Sample Novel Cover Letter; Sample Short Synopsis; Sample Long Synopsis

9. Selling Your Script
Write Your Own Calling Card; Form and Format; Finding an Agent; Market the Script on Your Own: Television; Market the Script on Your Own: Film; Making the Pitch; Understand the Business; Resources

10. Selling to Corporations
Finding Your Own Opportunities; Advertising and PR; Technical Writing; Catalog Copy; Copyediting and Proofreading; Indexing; Ghostwriting

11. What About Self-Publishing and Print on Demand?
The Bad Old Days; Are You a Self-Starter?; Oh, the Many Hats You’ll Wear; Five Guidelines for Picking a Reputable Self-Publisher; When Publishers Come Calling . . . Finally; Resources

Part Three: Building Your Readership

12. A Crash Course in Marketing and Publicity
What Is Marketing?; What Is Publicity?; Publicizing Your Book; Resources

13. Websites, Blogs, Podcasts, and Social Networking
Your Website; Blogging; Podcasting; Social Networking; Resources

14. Fifty Ideas to Get the Word Out About Your Book
Before Your Book Is Published; Learning About the Industry and Getting Known; Using Your Website, Blog, and E-mail; Hacking Through the Amazon Jungle; Radio and Podcasting; When the Book Is Published; Signings and Appearances; Book Clubs; Some Niche Options; Nice Authors Finish First: Working Well With People

Part Four: Your Writing Business

15. Contracts, Agents, and the Fine Print
Your Rights; Electronic and Digital Rights; Magazine Contracts; Book Contracts; Agents and Attorneys; Legal Issues; Resources

16. Finances for Writers
Setting Up Your Business; Records and Accounts; Your Income; Tax Issues for Writers; Saving for the Future; Insurance

17. Finding a Writing Community
Organizations for Writers; Critique Groups; Is a Writers’ Colony Right for You?; Getting the Most Out of Writers’ Conferences; Money for Nothing: Grants, Fellowships, and Contests

Appendix A: Pricing Guide
Knowing What to Charge; Hourly Rate Calculation; Project Rate Calculation; Keep Track of Time; Negotiating for More; Raising Your Rates; Sample Fees; Resources

Appendix B: Glossary of Publishing Terms