Perhaps you will actually be a writer, which will publish the results of his work in a publishing agent. for that at least you need to know a few terms in order to facilitate the communication with their parties and particularly with the editor.
Here are some basic terms and a common vocabulary in a publishing business:
What is an SASE? Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope. When submitting your
writing to publications, send an SASE for the journal or literary agent’s
response. You can also send a larger envelope if you would like them to return
your writing if it is rejected. We at Writer’s Relief recommend that you simply
send a business-sized (#10) envelope for their written response, not for the
return of work.
What does previously published mean? As online publishing increases, the term previously
published gets increasingly murky.
What is media rate at the post
office? Media rate can be applied to
mailing packages containing books, scripts, sound recordings, video tapes, and
computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media rate is
slower and less expensive than first-class mail.
What are simultaneous submissions? When you make a simultaneous submission, you send the same
submission to more than one editor or agent at the same time.
What are multiple submissions? When you make a multiple submission, you send many
submissions in one letter or e-mail to one editor or agent.
What is a literary agent? The best way to have your book published is to send your
work out to literary agents first. These are professionals who can target your
writing to publishers and make sure you get the best possible book deal.
What is an editor? An editor works at a publishing house or literary journal.
An editor reads submissions, acquires the rights to publish them (sometimes
paying for that right), and often edits the content. People who acquire short
works for inclusion in a collection or anthology are also editors.
What is a proofreader? Proofreaders edit your work for grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and formatting.
What is a copyeditor? A copyeditor edits a manuscript to meet the house style,
which includes reading for accuracy and formatting.
What is a query letter? What is a
cover letter? The difference between a query
letter and a cover letter is that while a query letter is an introduction to a
literary or book agent, a cover letter is used when sending poetry and/or short
stories to literary journals. Writer’s Relief can help you write both!
What is an exclusive read from a
literary agent? If you grant an exclusive read (or
right of first refusal) to a literary agent, you are granting him or her the
right to read your book before any other agents see it. For more detailed
information, see our article When A Literary Agent Requests An Exclusive:
Solutions For Sticky Situations.
What is the difference between a
short story and an essay? A short
story is a work of fiction; an essay, whether personal, academic, or
instructional, is nonfiction. While the lines between a personal or creative
essay and a short story are often blurred during the creative formation of a
piece, it is important that you decide on the genre of your short prose piece
in order to market it to the right editor. Learn more: Short prose genres:
Defining Essay, Short Story, Commentary, Memoir, and Mixed Genre.
What are galleys for books or
novels? A galley is an unformatted version
of a manuscript. Galleys are sent out to reviewers and blurb writers a few
weeks before the book is put in stores in its formatted version.
What is the slush pile? A slush pile is a stack of unsolicited submissions to book
agents, literary journals, or publishing houses.
What are solicited and unsolicited
submissions? A solicited submission is work that
an editor or literary agent has asked for. An unsolicited submission is work
that an editor or literary agent has not asked for.
What is an advance on a book or
novel? An advance is payment a publisher
gives a writer for a book or novel before it is written.
What is a writer’s backlist? A writer’s backlist is a list of his or her older
publications.
What is the masthead? The masthead refers to the “behind the scenes”
information about a publication, such as the editors, publishing information,
etc.
