The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook
Created | Updated Dec 21, 2006
First published in 1906, The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (currently on its 100th edition) is a guide and reference book for writers in the UK1, revised, updated and published every August by A and C Black. The modern editions have striking red covers, on which is emblazoned the name of the book, the year it will become outdated (ie, a 2007 edition will be published in 2006) and a quote or two from famous authors testifying to its usefulness. It runs to about 800 pages, divided into thirteen categories.
All this information is accurate to the 100th edition of the Yearbook.
Categories
Newspapers and magazines - A few articles on getting started and how to write for your audience, followed by exhaustive list of newspapers and magazines at home and abroad, along with various press agencies and syndicates.
Books - One of the longest sections, this includes articles that take you through the entire process, from approaching a publisher to helping to market your book. It also includes a fascinating Notes from Successful Authors section, along with various bits of advice about ISBNs, self publishing, and illustrating for children’s' books, to name but a few. There are listings for book publishers at home and overseas, audio publishers, book packagers and book clubs.
Poetry - A short section, this has two articles on getting poetry published and a list of poetry organisations2.
Television, film and radio - Articles on writing for TV and Radio, as well as producing book adaptations and some notes from a successful screenwriter. Listing include independent TV and radio companies and producers, as well as a list of the departments inside the BBC.
Theatre - Another short section, this merely includes an article on writing for the theatre and a list of theatre producers.
Literary agents - Articles on the role of a literary agent, and how to get the attention of one. Listings of Literary Agents, both at home and overseas.
Art and illustration - Articles on freelancing, cartooning and greetings cards. Lists of Art agents and studios, with card and stationary publishers that accept illustrations.
Picture research - Articles for the freelance photographer, and how to research pictures. Lists of picture agencies and libraries, as well as card and stationary publishers that accept photographs.
Societies, prizes and festivals - Information on the Society of Authors as well as The Writers Guide of Great Britain. Societies, prizes and festivals are all listed, as you might expect.
Writers and artists online - Articles on e-publishing, electronic rights and setting up a website. Websites for writers and artists are listed.
Resources for writers - Articles on your workspace, writers retreats, digital imaging, indexing and correcting proofs. Lists of libraries, creative writing courses, and various private and public services.
Copyright and libel - Contains articles on copyright law and libel, along with societies that can help.
Finance for writers and artists - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) plus articles on income tax and social security.
Every section usually has a number of articles on the relevant subject, along with exhaustive listings. It is the listings that the book is really valued for, giving prospective authors and illustrators the addresses to which they can send their works and hope for positive replies. The articles will usually give advice on aspects of publishing, whether this be sending the book, script, poem or artwork in the first place, or helping to market it when it is eventually published.
The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook now sells over two million copies worldwide, and has even spun off into two additional volumes - the Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook and the Poetry Writers' Yearbook.
Brief History
The first Yearbook was published in 1906, and was an 80-page booklet, with information on seven literary agents and 89 publishers. It cost one shilling.
Lists of contacts for illustrators were added, and later for photographers. In 1914 the first articles were included. Despite paper shortages, it continued to be published throughout both World Wars, and 1978 saw the debut of the now standard cherry-red cover. The most recent addition, a foreword, was introduced in 1998.
Getting Hold of a Yearbook
The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook has a cover price of fourteen pounds ninety-nine pence, and is available in most bookstores. However, wannabe writers and artists are renowned for being penniless, and fifteen pounds every year can weigh heavily on a writer's income.
Yearbooks are usually available from the larger libraries. Be warned that you will not be able to borrow or order them, but you will certainly be allowed to read them within the confines of the library. Take a paper and pencil or a palmtop for notes. The Yearbook can usually be found behind a desk, nestling beside the Thesaurus and the Who's Who. You may have to ask someone to take it down for you. The age of the copy will depend on the library.
As the book comes out every year, second-hand bookshops are usually full of out-of-date copies that you can take home cheaply. If you know a richer wannabe writer or artist, or indeed a successful one, you might perhaps ask to borrow their old copy when August rolls around. The publishers and literary agents are unlikely to have changed addresses, though some of the staff may have moved on - check by letter, phone or email before sending off a submission.
