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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Slush pile
Unsolicited manuscripts that are sent to publishers or agents but may not be read.
Soft proof
A soft proof is a non-hard copy, sample of a job which is displayed on a calibrated and high-definition screen.
Spiral binding
Wire or plastic is spiralled through holes punched along the binding side.
Spoonerism
When the first consonant sounds of two or more words are swapped to create a new phrase for humorous effect.
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)
© Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2021
Stock images
Licensed pre-existing images that cover a wide variety of scenes, items, people and places are often available through searchable online databases.