I missed the live event, but I listened to the whole recorded session this morning. Sally answered basic questions like, “Why should you get a new guide each year?” She gave hints on how to get started in the Christian market as well as tips on how to lay the marketing groundwork for your nonfiction book. She spent a few minutes on the children’s market. After a brief discussion on agents, Sally dove into questions about self-publishing. She briefly touched on social marketing for fiction and nonfiction writers.

After 25 years of producing the market guide, Sally knows a thing or two about what you need to do to get published. Primarily, she said, good writing will sell. Work to improve your craft, know your audience, and strive to become “the best writer you can be.”

I learned so much, but I don’t want to spoil it for you. It was like being in a conference workshop with Sally Stuart. The teleseminar took place yesterday (January 20, 2010). If you missed it, you can still listen to the whole thing by going to www.asksallystuart.com. Then, fill in your first name and e-mail address and click “Here’s my question, Sally.” You will receive an e-mail with a link to a Web location where you can download the entire teleseminar.

I encourage you to do the download now. It’s free! It takes about an hour to listen to the whole thing. Once you’ve got it on your computer, you can listen to it any time.

It may not be riveting and it may not be fun reading, but not owning it is not an option.  “It’s the closest thing to the Bible for an inspirational writer.”  That’s what I tell my “Beginners Basics” students about Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers Market Guide.  If they can only afford one resource, it must be this one.  And the updated version should be purchased every year.

The Christian Writers Market Guide is an invaluable, time-saving tool for an inspirational writer committed to mastering the marketing process.  This book identifies potential publishing markets, gives information on obtaining guidelines and samples, offers pointers from editors, sites the percentage of freelance used by each publication, indicates the procedure for submission, and tells pay range.  It also lists  websites and e-mail addresses for on-line contact. For beginning writers, there is a “How To Use This Book” section.

The 2005 copy of Christian Writers Market Guide was her 20th anniversary edition.  Sally Stuart states in that book’s introduction “it has dominated my time for almost a third of my life”.  Because of her time investment, many writers have been able to multiply their publishing markets.  I’ve also been able to equip my students with the resources to persevere.  As the 2010 issue approaches, we will be wishing Sally a “Happy Anniversary”!

Buy the guide at www.stuartmarket.com or from online booksellers.

Thanks, Lettie, for this great review.