Glossary
We’ve curated a glossary of terms regarding all things writing and publishing related. From commonly-used terms to abbreviations, our glossary will guide writers and people starting out in publishing, to cut through the jargon and gain a better understanding.
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Laser proof
A laser proof is a print out from an office laser printer, to give an accurate view as possible of the final layout.
Line editing
Editing sentence flow, looking out for repetitions and improving overall clarity and tone.
Literary agent
Represent writers and their works. They match books to suitable publishers and negotiate publishing contracts and rights deals. They also co-ordinate the business side of publishing on behalf of authors.
Litotes
An understated or ironic figure of speech in which an idea or thing is emphasised by rejecting its opposite, for example ‘You won’t be sorry’ to convey satisfaction or pleasure.
A more extensive list of literary terms, with quotations from fiction and non-fiction sources showing the terms in use, is included in The Right Word: A Writer’s Toolkit of Grammar, Vocabulary and Literary Terms (Bloomsbury 2021)
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