The Writer's Constant Companion

In his Foreword to this year’s 2018 edition of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, veteran novelist, critic and literary savant, David Lodge reflects on his lengthy writing career. In his eyes, since his first novel was published in 1960 at the age of 25, ‘the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is just about the only thing that is common to that world and the world of the writer today.’

And we agree with him.

In an ever-changing landscape, the Yearbook still remains the writer’s constant companion after 111 years. Publishers come and go, imprints close and new ones prosper, and literary agents go it alone after years at larger, established agencies.  There are more ways than ever before in which your writing can be shared, more outlets for your genre fiction, screenplay or poetry to reach their target market, and a plethora of ways in which to promote yourself and your work. The publishing frontier is certainly a more disparate and wilder place than when David Lodge first set out to become a novelist!

Yet the Yearbook is a reliable barometer of these shifts and within its 880 pages, it details the companies, organisations, individuals, prize-awarding bodies, literary societies and design agencies that develop and change with the times each year.

The 2018 edition includes over 4,500 publishing industry contacts alongside 80 articles from best-selling authors and publishing industry experts, each enthusiastic to share their insights and knowledge with you within these hallowed pages. You’ll find expert advice on all manner of things that fall within the writer’s toolbox: from editing, finances and tax, copyright and media law, social media, to how to maximise ebook sales , finding a reputable self-publishing service and standing out in the slushpile. 

Every year, the Yearbook brings each generation of new readers and writers something different, too. New articles for the 2018 edition come from the pen of editor and writer Diana Athill, Tom Holland (of Radio 4’s Making History), who describes how he found his calling as a non-fiction author; and novelists Kimberley Chambers, Emma Flint and Harry Bingham respectively share their thoughts on writing thrillers, writing captivating first chapters and self-publishing online.

Award-winning health writer Anita Bean discusses the flourishing health and wellbeing market, literary agent Jo Unwin explains how to find the right agent when submitting your manuscript and Gillian Stern dispels the mystery surrounding ghostwriting and writing in the voice of another. 

Over the next couple of months, we’ll also be sharing exclusive extracts from some of these brand new articles on our site, www.writersandartists.co.uk, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.  

We wish you the best of luck with your own forays into the writing and publishing worlds! 

Alysoun Owen 

Editor Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook and Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook