When I first became serious about publishing my writing, I turned to print sources to do research. In particular, I looked at the annual Writer’s Digest publications–Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market and Poet’s Market–sources that writers have relied on for years. Sometimes, I purchased one or the other, but mostly I used them at my local public library. Nowadays though, I do most of my research sitting at my desktop computer and searching databases that provide information about literary magazines. When I find a market of interest, I can connect seamlessly to the magazine’s web site with the link provided by the database. Here are four free databases that you might want to explore:
Duotrope’s Digest (www.duotrope.com) is a database of over 2,350 current markets for fiction and poetry.
Poets & Writers (www.pw.org) which describes itself as “the nation’s largest nonprofit organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers.” The magazine was founded in 1970. It also has a database of writing contests.
Writing for Dollars (www.writingfordollars.com) has a database of guidelines for paying markets only.
Litmags.org (www.litmags.org) is a new database under development.
Still Crazy is listed in all of the above except one. Can you guess the one? You’re right. We pay only with a contributor’s copy. Someday perhaps, if we grow and flourish…
The following databases require a paid subscription:
WritersMarket.com (www.writersdigest.com/WritersMarket). It gives access to the information found in Writer’s Digest publications mentioned above. The fees are $5.99 monthly; $39.99 for a one-year subscription; and $54.99 for a two-year subscription. Value-added features are news and advice from “insider” experts and the ability to track ms. submissions. (FYI, I am not a subscriber; my information comes from the WD web site.)
The Writer (www.writermag.com/wrt/ ) has a database of over 3,000 market listings of magazines, literary agents, book publishers, and contests. To access the database requires a subscription to the magazine ($32.95 for 12 issues).
Barbara Kussow,
Editor