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The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is an annual directory for writers and illustrators which offers creative and practical advice on how to give work the best chance at success. It is published in the UK each July, alongside the Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook. The Yearbook contains 100 articles covering every aspect of the publishing world and the paths which creatives can follow to gain entry into it, and over 4,500 named industry contacts including agents, publishers, media companies and societies.

In 2007, an associated website, www.writersandartists.co.uk, was launched which now includes additional articles, interviews and resources as well as a community forum to connect users. The brand also runs events and masterclasses and offers a series of editorial services including manuscript reviews and edits, consultations and mentoring.

As well as the annual Yearbooks, Writers & Artists also publish a series of companion guides which dive deeper into specific areas of publishing.

History

First published in 1906, by Adam & Charles Black, the original Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook was an 80-page booklet, costing one shilling. It gave details of seven literary agents and 89 publishers.^[1] Articles offering advice first appeared in the 1914 yearbook. It has been published on an annual basis since, expanding over time to include information for illustrators, and to adapt to the changing digital landscape of the publishing industry and the rise of self-publishing.^[1] A&C Black became part of Bloomsbury Publishing in 2000 and Bloomsbury now publishes the entire collection of Writers & Artists titles and companion guides.

In 2004, Bloomsbury launched the Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook that includes articles and advice specifically focused on the children's book market. It contains articles from a diverse array of successful children's authors across different genres, mediums and age ranges, as well as contact details tailored to the children's publishing industry. In 2007, Writers & Artists launched an associated website.^[2] ^[3] In 2013 Writers & Artists began publishing companion guides alongside the annual Yearbooks focusing on specific areas of writing and publishing.

Sections and listings

The yearbook is divided into the following sections:^[1]

Newspapers and magazines – writing and pitching; regional, national and overseas, syndicates and news agencies
Books – the publishing process, inspiring writers and writing advice; regional, national and overseas publishers, audio publishers, book packagers and book clubs
Poetry – publication and performance; publishers and societies
Screen and audio – film, television, audiobooks and podcasts; production companies
Theatre – publication, adaptation, reviews and performance; production companies
Literary agents – purpose, choice and submission; UK, Ireland and overseas agents
Art and illustration – illustration and photography, portfolios and freelancing; agents, commercial studios and card and stationery publishers
Societies, prizes and festivals – associations and clubs, prizes and awards and literary festivals
Self-publishing – pathways, publication and hybrids; book sites, blogs, podcasts, services and providers
Resources for writers – editing, blogging, indexing, software and glossaries; courses, libraries and writers' retreats
Copyright and libel information – copyright and licensing
Finance for writers and artists – earnings, income tax and national insurance.

Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook

The Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook follows the same structure and includes the same type of information as the original yearbook but is specific to the children's publishing industry. Advice includes topics such as the business of picture books, writing to read aloud, how to deal with difficult topics, creating diverse stories, what is 'age appropriate', reinventing classic stories, series fiction and pseudonyms, compelling non-fiction, creating comics and graphic novels, writing for reluctant readers and visiting schools.^[4]

Writers & Artists website

The Writers & Artists website brings together information and advice for aspiring writers alongside additional services and a community hub. The self-publishing page is an offshoot of the main website dedicated entirely to presenting users with all of the available self-publishing options and guiding them along the various pathways.^[5] ^[6]