Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2018 edited by Alysoun Owen – The Essential Annual Guide for Writers, Agents and Publishers

Introduction

Breaking into publishing can feel like navigating a maze without a map, which is exactly the problem the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2018 was built to solve. Edited by Alysoun Owen, this bestselling annual guide has been the trusted companion of generations of writers, illustrators and journalists trying to understand who to contact and how to actually get published.

Book Overview

Revised and fully updated every year, this edition brings together practical advice, genuine industry insight, and thousands of contact listings spanning publishing houses, literary agents, magazines and media organisations. The 2018 edition opens with a foreword by novelist David Lodge and features new commissioned articles from working professionals across the writing and publishing world, giving readers both the how-to guidance and the insider perspective that make this yearbook so widely trusted.

Key Highlights

• Edited by Alysoun Owen, overseeing its yearly revision
• Foreword to the 2018 edition written by novelist David Lodge
• Fully revised and updated every year for accuracy
• Includes new articles on writing popular history and ghostwriting
• Covers self-publishing online and building a writing income
• Provides guidance on choosing and approaching literary agents
• Contains over four thousand listings across publishing and media
• Explains copyright law, taxation and publishing agreements clearly

Inside the Book

Alongside its core directory of contacts, the book is organised around practical themes that matter at every stage of a writing career, from finding the right literary agent to understanding a first publishing contract. New articles commissioned specifically for the 2018 edition cover subjects like writing popular history, the craft of ghostwriting, breaking into the thriller genre, self-publishing online, and how to actually earn a living as a working writer, each contributed by professionals with direct experience in that field.

Key Topics

The yearbook covers copyright law, taxation for writers, publishing agreements, e-publishing trends, and current publishing news, all reviewed and refreshed for accuracy every year. It also includes guidance on pitching ideas effectively, crafting strong opening chapters, and choosing the right literary agent for a manuscript, alongside more than four thousand listings covering who to contact across the media and publishing industries.

Reader Benefits

• Access thousands of up-to-date contacts across publishing and media in one place.
• Learn directly from working professionals through newly commissioned articles.
• Understand copyright, tax and publishing agreements in plain language.
• Get practical guidance on choosing and approaching literary agents.
• Stay current with fast-moving trends like self-publishing and e-publishing.
• Build confidence pitching ideas and writing strong opening chapters.

Learning Outcomes

Readers finish the yearbook with a clear, practical understanding of how the publishing industry actually works, from first pitch to signed contract. They gain the vocabulary and confidence to approach agents and publishers professionally, along with a realistic picture of income, rights and legal considerations that many new writers overlook until it is too late.

Who Should Read

• Aspiring novelists and non-fiction writers seeking publication.
• Freelance journalists and magazine contributors.
• Illustrators and artists exploring publishing opportunities.
• Self-publishing authors wanting a broader industry perspective.
• Anyone building a career in writing, editing or publishing.

About the Author

Alysoun Owen is the editor of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, overseeing its annual revision and commissioning fresh articles each year from established authors, agents and publishing professionals to keep the guide genuinely current and useful for its readers.

About the Publisher

This yearbook is published by Bloomsbury, a leading publishing house recognised for its long-running Writers' and Artists' series, which has guided generations of writers toward publication with trusted, expertly curated advice.

Conclusion

For anyone serious about getting published, the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2018 remains an indispensable reference. Its blend of practical listings, expert articles and up-to-date industry knowledge makes it a resource writers return to again and again throughout their careers.