Writers & Artists Yearbook 2013

Hi all,
I get the feeling this is going to be a bit of a newbie question, but I don't mind the embarassment too much. Honest.

After finally finishing some TV sitcoms and radio pilots I thought I'd bite the bullet and actually send them out...

My friend (Who's already in the biz) Said she started by contacting the Independent production companies that were published in the Writers & Artists Yearbook. Lots of people have mentioned this over the years, but I've never owned one...

So I dutifully bought one. This years one. Up to date I thought.

And apart from all the contact details for departments inside the BBC, there's nothing. Lots of lovely thearte, magazine and book publishing contacts...

Where did the list go? Is there a separate book I should know about?

I've seen the lovely list here on the forums of course, and that's been a good start - But what happened? Or have I turned over two pages at once and missed it?

Tom.

Not really a book to buy so much as borrow from a library.

I found the PACT website useful: http://www.pact.co.uk

Click on "find a member" and open each link in turn.

Check out each company's website and see what they're like, what they're currently working on, have recently don, what they're after, etc.

Do some more research and find out a bit more as required.

Create a database or spreadsheet and add all the likely-looking companies with any contact details you've managed to dig up.

Can't comment on the production companies side of things but as far as magazines are concerned the Writers & Artists Yearbook only seems to list about 3% of the actual titles that are out there.

As a freelancer, I used to buy it regularly until I realised it was pretty useless as far as getting work was concerned.

That said, some illustrators and photographers I know speak very highly of it.

I haven't bought this years so I can't confirm or deny it but they always used to include production companies. Have you tried the online version?

I bought this year's copy and also noticed a total lack of indie prodcos.

Luckily, The Writer's Handbook (very similar to the Yearbook) features prodcos. Well, at least it always has done.
The 2013 edition was supposed to be published this month, but I haven't seen it yet.

Well researched guys. you win a banana!