Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents 1998-1999 Review

Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents 1998-1999
by Jeff Herman
Prima Publishing, 1997.
864 pp. ISBN: 0761510125
Trade paperback.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.

This information filled resource is just what the author ordered. The book provides detailed information about book editors, publishers and literary agents in an easy to use format. The brunt of the book, over 500 pages, provides detailed information about publishers including United States publishers, University publishers, religious and inspirational publishers and Canadian publishers.

Each publisher listing includes contact information, the names of the editors and additional information including recent books published, information on any imprints the publishing house has and an explanation of the company: its style, origin and publishing focus. The literary agents directory contains contact information and listings of the agents, some of which include bios. The agency listings also include agent's responses to questions such as "Description of the Client from Heaven (and Hell)" and "What writers can do to enhance their chances of getting an agent (besides being good writers)".

Another section in the book includes useful articles by Jeff Herman and published authors, including "Write the Perfect Query Letter", "Rejected... Again: The Process and the Art of Perseverance" and "The Author-Agency Agreement". This is an excellent reference book which also educates you on the book publishing industry.

Return to the November 1997 issue of The IWJ.