Publishers Marketplace Worth It?

maddythemad · Feb 20, 2007

Hey guys, so I have a question about Publishers Marketplace (and this may be the wrong forum in which to ask, so mods should feel free to move it). I have very little money, being a teen with only a semi-regular babysitting job, and I just wanted to ask: for those of you who ARE members, do you think it's worth the $20 a month?

Most of the time I tell myself that the free Lunch Weekly is good enough, but sometimes I come across something that I reeeeally want to read (such as the, "We'll Always Have 'Lit'/'Trend' Pieces" that was mentioned in today's Lunch.) I have no idea how I'd get the money for this (as you have to be 16 to get any sort of real job around here), but if I went around begging door-to-door until I had $240, do you think Publishers Marketplace is worth the money (and the humiliation of begging door-to-door)?

Sorry for taking a very long time to ask a very simple question. I'd appreciate anyone's opinions.

johnrobison · Feb 20, 2007

I would suggest that you could save the $20/month and read back issues of Publisher's Marketplace at a local library. The $20 monthly fee would get you constant online access but unless you are actually in the business of writing, would that really be important?

PeeDee · Feb 20, 2007

It can be a useful thing to read and a decent resource. I guess.

The only publishing publication I really enjoy being subscribed to anymore is Locus.

Provrb1810meggy · Feb 20, 2007

Maddy, you should convince your dad that he absolutely needs Publisher's Marketplace, by using your obviously superior persuasive skills, of course. Then, you can look at it!

Hmm...or not.

Mr. Funktastic · Feb 20, 2007

I agree with the whole going to the library and reading back issues suggestion.

ORION · Feb 20, 2007

Actually Publishers Marketplace is entirely online and is extraordinarily useful if you are in the process of querying, agented or being published. If you are not it is really not the first resource I would spend my money on as a teenager. Publishers weekly can be both online and in hard copy -- you might be able to find it in a library or from an author (like me) who tosses the copies each week after reading them.
There are many online free sources (galleycat, gawker) that provide industry information.
Most of the articles mentioned in publishers lunch are from other sources - if you wait a few days you can see it discussed in the lit blogs.
As a writer put your money into "poets and writers" or "writers digest" - go to your local borders and buy copies as you can afford them -
Focus on your writing before you focus on the business of publishing.
JMHO

Raphee · Feb 20, 2007

Orion, feel free to toss those old copies in my direction.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 21, 2007

Publishers Marketplace

If money isn't an issue, or if you're at the stage where you can claim this as a business deduction, or if you just really want to know what goes on inside publishing on a constant basis, then I think Publishers Marketplace is more than worth it.

It's certainly not an essential resource, and I no longer pay for it, but you'll definitely get your money's worth in what you learn about publishing.

Siddow · Feb 21, 2007

There's still a lot you can see on the site without being registered. The other sources cited above (galleycat, gawker) usually run with the stories from PM, but you can look though the agent pages without being registered.

I always vote for "exhaust your free resources before you pay for anything."

C.bronco · Feb 21, 2007

I go there all the time. I wish I could fork over the $ for the Lunch Deluxe, but am happy to at least get the Free Lunch. It's a very good site. Look through the free parts, and then decide if subscribing will meet your current needs.

Publishers Marketplace Worth It?

maddythemad

johnrobison

A Free Range Aspergian

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Provrb1810meggy

Mr. Funktastic

The name says it all.

ORION

Sailed away years ago

Raphee

In debt to AW

Jamesaritchie

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

C.bronco

I have plans...