Publishing Terms Writers Should Know
Understanding the Vocabulary of Agents, Editors and Publishers
Oct 15, 2009
Dreams of being published must be accompanied by hard work, persistent effort and attention paid to each particular agent's style and content codes. If a book project is going anywhere, the author must first engage himself in the world of the agent, editor and publisher who can take the writer to the next level.
Learn the most commonly used publishing terms to understand exactly what an agent or editor is saying. Every vocation comes with a distinct vocabulary and code of ethics.
Here's what any new writer needs to know before he tries to communicate with those in power in the publishing world.
Publishing Terms to Know
- Query – a letter sent to an agent or publisher pitching the idea of a book, introducing the writer, and listing credentials and education. It should be no longer than several paragraphs long and include a hook. Agents and publishers usually list rules for queries on websites.
- ARCS (Advance Review Copies) – unfinalized copies of the book which will be sent out to reviewers.
- Blurb - Pitch refer to a one paragraph description of the book and is the same pitch you'll use in a query.
- Galleys – another word for ARCS but aren't always bound but are sent to reviewers. Galleys are often a copy of your page proofs in the pre-publication copies sent to the author.
- ISBN – International Standard Book Number, the identification code assigned to each book.
How the Publishing Business Works
- Advance – the amount the publisher will pay up front to an author before the actual book is published. The advance is an advance on all future earnings.
- Royalties – the percentage of sales an author will receive for each copy of the book that is sold.
- Remainders – the books the bookseller hasn't sold and returns to the publisher for credit.
- Vanity Press – a publisher who publishes the author's work at the author's expense.
- Press Kit – often called a Media Kit, provides info about the book for reviewers, bookstore owners, and managers. It includes a press release, author bio, book cover, testimonials, and more.
- Marketing Plan – includes a budget, synopsis of the book, target audience, distribution plan, promotions, time line and how you will create demand for the book.
How to Find a Literary Agent
For writers searching for a literary agent to help market a novel, poetry collection or memoir, the first step is to find the right agent. How does a writer make that connection?
There are many books on the market to help writers. Poetry writers should read the current year's copy of Poet's Market while novel writers should read the most current Writer's Market. These resources will list all the agents and book publishers with correct addresses and clear instructions on how to make contact.
Finding the right agent can feel like a stab in the dark, a search for the proverbial needle in the haystack. But with careful research and diligent study, the right agent can be found and the dreaded query letter written. Writer's Market can also help writers keep accurate submission records while helping to find the right match out of the more than 8,000 publishing opportunities listed.
For more help connecting with the literary world, read Get Connected With a Literary Agent at WEbook. For ideas how to connect on a local level, read Cohost a Culinary Book Club. For writers learning how to cope with real life, read How Do Writers Deal With Distraction.
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