In these difficult times in publishing, when so many new writers are struggling to gain recognition, an ambitious author should know the best markets for his/her particular genre, preferably before plotting the proposed book. It will appear totally unprofessional to submit your manuscript inappropriately. So to save time and, indeed, heartache he/she should research the publishing markets very carefully.

Publishers are inundated with manuscripts on a daily basis from hopeful writers. These uninvited submissions go straight into the 'slush pile'. They languish there until someone hopefully has time to glance at them. This could take a very long time, weeks, even months. Writers have to learn patience.

Almost all publishers, as well as agents, are interested in only a specific range of genre. No author in his/her right mind would send a gory thriller to Mills & Boon, for instance. The 'slush pile' is high enough without publishers receiving genres in which they have no interest. Knowing what a particular publisher or agent requires goes a long way to finding a home for your manuscript.

But how can a hard-working writer find this information without a great deal of tedious research? The best way to do this is to purchase the latest copies of books that list publishers and agents, and which gives information on their specific requirements. The following books to be recommended are:

-Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2010
-Writers' Handbook
-Crime Writers' Handbook
-Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook
-Writers' Markets

A study of any of these books will be well worthwhile and will save the writer a lot of time which can be better spent on writing.