Galleys: The first proofs of a manuscript that have been typeset. They are used to check for errors in the typesetting and also for further proofreading of the manuscript. Many respected reviewers require galleys several months before a book is published so they can read it first and write their review before the public sees the printed work.

Genre: Can be used to state a general classification of writing. However it is most often used to denote a classification within a major type of writing. For example: business writing, poetry, and children's books are genres within Nonfiction writing.

Ghostwriter: A writer who writes the actual book or article for the author. The author's name is on the book and the ghostwriter is usually unknown. Today, with Autobiographies of famous people, the ghostwriter is sometimes credited. This relationship is under contract between the author, the person who is hiring the ghostwriter to write the book for them, and the publisher.

Hard copy: a printed copy off of a computer.

Home page: The first page or main page of a website or blog.

International Reply Coupon (IRC): You purchase these at the post office. You use them instead of a SASE when submitting your manuscript to a publisher that is outside of the United States. This covers the cost to return your manuscript if the editor or publisher is not interested in publishing it.

ISBN: Stands for: International Standard Book Number. The number and usually the bar code printed on the back of books that contains the price and ordering information.

ISSN: Stands for: International Standard Serial Number: The number and usually the bar code printed on the back of periodicals that contains the price and ordering information.

Kill fee: Fee that is agreed upon in advance to be paid to the author if their article is not printed in the publication after it is accepted. Most publications have standard kill fee percentages that they pay.

Lead time: The time between the purchase of a manuscript and it's publication. This is used for books and magazines. An example would be why magazines ask for Christmas stories in the summer time.

Libel: When someone publishes an accusation against you, your publisher, or both; that exposes you to ridicule, contempt, loss of reputation, or loss of income.

List Royalty: Can also be called retail or cover price. This is a royalty that is paid to you and calculated from the retail or cover price of your book, as opposed to Net Royalties.

Little magazines: Small publications that usually specialize in literary or political topics. They are called "little" due to their smaller subscriber base or circulation numbers, and not on their publication size.


You can find all of the Writing Glossary Articles here:

Writing Glossary at a Glance A to B

Writing Glossary at a Glance C to F

Writing Glossary at a Glance G to L

Writing Glossary at a Glance M to P

Writing Glossary at a Glance Q to Z




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