The next blockbuster?

Got a novel inside you? Just putting the finishing touches to that pithy poem? Maybe illustration is your thing, or journalism, or travel writing? Let’s see if we can share it with a grateful public…

An expert eye

I wonder how many budding writers have not looked at the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook at least once. I also wonder how many of them realised that this biblical work is available online, through KnowUK, to Westminster Libraries members.

Without minimising the difficulties you will face if you want your literary or artistic baby to be made available to the world, the Yearbook gives lots of practical hints on how to get your stuff accepted and, even more valuable, how you can plan for a successful outcome even before you start scribbling.

Want to write fantasy novels? – read Terry Pratchett first. Fancy being a cartoonist? – Martin Rowson will set you straight. Whatever your chosen (or not-yet-chosen) métier, the Yearbook has words of wisdom from a successful practitioner.

As well as being a repository for these wise words, the Yearbook acts as a directory of agents, publishers, producers, and almost anyone else who might turn your hobby into a livelihood. Legal and financial considerations are well covered, as are resources such as writers’ retreats.

A couple of words of caution. The online version is dated 2008, whereas the 2009 printed edition (branded 2010 but recently published) has already hit the shelves. Most of the content does not date “dangerously”, but it’s something to bear in mind. Also, the online version does not seem to include the introductory note from Richard & Judy. Just an oversight, I expect.

(From the Gateway to websites, select “Books & literature”. The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook is a Key Link. Remember that you will need your membership card number to log in, if you are not using a Westminster Libraries computer.)


The source

As I said, the Yearbook is just one brick in the KnowUK wall, and what a huge wall it is. This resource suffers from being just too big and diverse. Because it covers a vast range of subjects from Arts and Media to Tourism and Leisure - by way of careers, government, law, personal finance and many more subjects – it’s difficult to pin down. That’s why we have extracted resources like the Yearbook and given them their own links on the Gateway.

We can’t do that for every resource – if we did, the Gateway would be rather obese! So if you have a query which might be answered by using a directory or guidebook, whether professional or local, official or tourist, try KnowUK first. You will be surprised how often it comes up trumps.

(From the Gateway to websites, select “Quick reference: directories”, where you will find KnowUK. Remember that you will need your membership card number to log in, if you are not using a Westminster Libraries computer.)