The Bible for Real Writers Online — Good Deal
Writer's Market
If you're really serious about making it in the writing business, then I'd highly recommend Writer's Market.
You could, of course, buy the print edition. I think most of those come packaged with the CD for online now. But, you can just go online and get a lower price by getting online access only. Of course, you don't then have the book which can be helpful if you're the type to highlight and use stick-em notes to mark pages.
I bought hard copies of the classic "markets" bible for years. I'd purchase every 2 or 3 years, since the cost is high. I'm not talking over-the-top high, but starving artist type writers can choke a bit on $30 plus books. I'd keep my old editions and farm them out to friends but with the mention that markets date fast. In other words, an old edition may mean that you're looking at a publisher that yet belly up or that the editor changed months ago. So, I'd pass on old books but warn writers to do the research and make sure they never sent query letters to editors long gone or even dead.
When Writer's Market went online, I was one of the first to give it a try. They offer a variety of options for access. For example, you can buy a month or a year. I did month to month at one point and kept that up a few months. This last time, I went with a full year.
I do miss the print copy where I'd grab the book before I'd fall asleep and look through. On the other hand, the online version has constant updates (though not totally up to date at all times). Books take a while to put together. By the time a new edition comes out, there can be major changes in any given publication. Online is must more up to date. Even at that, you'll find some behind the times notes in markets. For example, Garden and Hearth is listing as $15 per article though has a program now for content providers with income share. But, in the last week or so they have listed back requests for $15 pieces. So, WM is darn current for a big publication, but always double check.
There are some other perks with online over print with WM. You can store your articles at the site. That means, of course, that you have to keep up the subscription, or you don't have access to your stored work.
You can also flag various pubs and make notes. For example, I went through a lot of listings and saved a number with notes about articles that might work from my end. I click in and remember things that I might forget without this handy feature. Again, if I let the sub go and don't print out these online notes, then I've lost the work.
I have found new markets by subscribing to WM. The main area where I've found work is in the trades. I'd not be likely to see those mags when not in the business. For example, I got a piece in a restaurant mag. A local restaurant was doing a Christian music night to draw crowds on an off night. That appealed to the restaurant mag, but I'd never have known about that magazine if I hadn't looked through WM online. I did, by the way, get $100 for 100 words on that dinner out and an interview.
Though I've looked mainly at magazines, they also include book publishers and contests and other writing areas like greeting cards. Coverage really is broad and with something for most any type of writer.
In some ways I do miss the print edition. I could buy that bundled, but it is more expensive. I've gone strictly online, and must force myself to focus while sitting in an office chair and at the computer to use Writer's Market. I do this for the cost savings and for the more current listings and for some of the perks like storage. I still follow up (as any professional writer should do), because what's the deal today may be off tomorrow (and particularly in the online writing realm).
I also bought a year service for a writer friend with WM online. That took some doing. I had to contact customer service (very nice folks). They did not have a plan for such gifts. I could buy a book — no problem. But, to get the service, I had to sign up. Then, I had to tell the person I got the service for the sign in and secret password. She could then go in and change her password. That wasn't the best way to do that, but it did work out. I would suggest that they come up with a way to make a sub to WM a gift and without the person buying having to guess at the best user name and password. Some sort of gift email would be nice too (-:
Obviously I would not have a subscription and would not have given a gift sub if I didn't think this was well worth the money. I don't often pay for online services. There's a lot of stuff out there free. But, WM is worth the fee both on a personal basis and to consider it a good gift to a new writer.
The only caution I would make is to make sure you have the time (and determination) and will use the service. It's easy to sign up and pay and then kind of put it aside and then the year is up and you didn't get anything out of it (by your own choice there or due to lack of time). A one month trial and really hitting it hard is a good option and quite inexpensive. If you do that, then don't store stuff and spend a lot of time bookmarking. Those things which take time won't be available if you don't keep up the service. But, if you are using it you will probably want to use some of the extras and get the full year set up. It's cheaper to do it by the year than month to month.
I've done month-to-month, a full year, took a break, have another year (about six months in now). I also bought it as a gift. So, I do value the information. It really boils down to how much time I have to spend on freelance or how bad I want outside gigs. When I've got my groove, I know this is the way to go. There are times when I'm kinda slack. But, I can come and go here. I've had the service more than not for quite a while. And, I've made more money with the markets listed than what I've paid for the service. But, I did have to do the research, do the queries, and score the article assignments. I also double check even thought the service is updated daily. You just never know in publishing...
If you want to be a writer, but you're on the fence, then I'd say try this for a month. If you're 100% ready to make a go of it, buy a year. It's a great service, but you've got to use it to make it work.
