Terms a Writer Should Know

Advance

Money that a publisher pays a writer prior to the publication of a book.
Agent Someone who sells your work to a publishing house for a fee of 10% or 15% of the writer's entire income from the work.

Book Proposal

Resources has other helpful information for writers. Package submitted to an agent, editor or publisher for consideration; usually includes a cover letter, synopsis, outline, sample chapters and a SASE.

Copy

Written material of a manuscript.

Cover letter

A brief letter accompanying a manuscript containing a paragraph about you and a paragraph about the manuscript.

Final draft

The last version of a polished manuscript ready for submission to an agent, editor or publisher.

Genre

Type of fiction, such as horror, romance, western, etc.

Manuscript

Should be typed/computer printed, double-spaced, with pages numbered.

Query

A letter to an editor or agent designed to capture interest in a piece you propose to write or have written. Be sure to include a SASE.

Reading fee

Money charged by some agents to look at your work.

Rough draft

Written manuscript not checked for errors or not complete.

Royalty

Percentage paid by a publisher to a writer for each copy of work sold.

SASE

Self-addressed, stamped envelope. A must with every query or proposal

Simultaneous submission

Material sent to several agents, editors or publishers at the same time.

Slush pile

Editor’s term for their collection of unsolicited manuscripts.

Synopsis

Brief summary of a story or novel

Unsolicited manuscript

Material sent without an editor’s request.

Vanity publisher

You pay them to publish your book.