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The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is a British reference directory for writers, artists, playwrights, designers, illustrators and photographers. First published in 1906, it is revised, updated and published every year in July, while the Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is published annually in August. It now contains over 4,500 industry contacts and numerous articles giving advice to writers looking to be published.  The book now sells over 2 million copies internationally.

History
First published in 1906, by Adam & Charles Black, the Writers’ & Artists Yearbook was an 80-page booklet, costing one shilling. It gave details of seven literary agents and 89 publishers. The Yearbook has been published on an annual basis since, surviving the paper shortages of both World Wars. It came to include details of illustrators and later photographers.

Articles offering advice first appeared in the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook in 1914, while its engine-red cover was introduced in 1978. The first Foreword, now a feature of each edition of the Yearbook, was written in 1988.

Reception
The Times describe the book as a venerable resource. The BBC note " It is the listings that the book is really valued for, giving prospective authors and illustrators the addresses to which they can send their works". Bloomsbury Publishing state that it is "acknowledged by the publishing industry, authors and would-be writers as the indispensable companion to navigating the world of publishing". The Independent writes that the book "always offer solid information on the state of the market and the changing requirements of agents and publishers, along with those all-important contact details". The Irish Times comments "every aspiring writer should have a copy" and that it is an "indispensable prop for the professional and aspiring writer". The Western Mail calls it an essential author's handbook. Personal Computer World write that "the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook has long been an invaluable resource for authors."

Sections and Listings
The Yearbook contains the details of hundreds of societies, companies and other organisations across the media industries - publishers of books, newspapers and magazines, literary agents, prize-giving bodies and literary festivals. The listings are independently vetted, checked and updated throughout the year, giving over 4,500 contacts. The issue is divided into the following sections:

Newspapers and magazines National newspapers UK and Ireland Regional newspapers UK and Ireland Magazines UK and Ireland Newspapers and magazines overseas Syndicates, news and press agencies

Books Book publishers UK and Ireland Book publishers overseas Audio publishers Book packagers Book clubs

Poetry Poetry organisations

Television, film and radio Inside the BBC Other broadcasters

Theatre Theatre producers

Literary agents Literary agents UK and Ireland Literary agents overseas

Art and illustration Art agents and commercial art studios Card and stationery publishers that accept illustrations and photographs

Societies, prizes and festivals Societies, associations and clubs Prizes and awards Literature festivals

Digital and self-publishing Self-publishing providers

Resources for writers Writers' retreats Libraries Creative writing courses

Copyright and libel

Finance for writers and artists

Forewords 2000-present
Authors who have written the foreword for the Yearbook in recent years include:
 * J.K. Rowling (2000)
 * Rosie Thomas (2001)
 * Deborah Moggach (2002)
 * Doris Lessing (2003)
 * Eoin Colfer (2004)
 * Maeve Binchy (2005)
 * Terry Pratchett (2006)
 * Ian Rankin (2007)
 * Alexander McCall Smith (2008)
 * Kate Mosse (2010)
 * John Boyne (2011)
 * William Boyd (2012)
 * Lawrence Norfolk (2013)
 * Martina Cole (2014)

The Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook
The Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is designed to guide authors writing for children of all ages. Like the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook, it provides annually updated listings of who to contact within the children's publishing industry and also includes articles from contributors offering advice in the different stages of the publishing process.