Every industry has its own language that gives everyday words a special meaning to the in, hip, and working their butts off crowd. For our visitors who write for publication as well as (or – sob – instead of) TV or film, here are publishing terms you’ll need to know if you’re going to communicate with publishers, editors, et al.
And they’re especially important for keeping up your end of lunch table talk with other writers in the field as well!
by Robert Lee Brewer
Advance. A sum of money a publisher pays a writer prior to the publication of a book usually paid in installments, such as one-half on signing contract; one-half on delivery of a complete and satisfactory manuscript.