The editor you sent your query letter to left here a year ago. I later learned that the market content for Writer's Market is compiled more than six months before it hits the bookshelves. Thus, by the time a writer buys the new edition, much of the information is obsolete. We've since gone electronic only and our subscriber base continues to grow. All market listings are created from personal interviews we've held with editors no more than two weeks before publication of the new issue.
Many readers receive assignments from editors within one week of receiving their issue.
They have the advantage of knowing what the editor needs at that time.