AGT
Agent: a person who acts on behalf of an author, negotiating with publishers and promoters.
Agent: a person who acts on behalf of an author, negotiating with publishers and promoters.
Alpha reader
The first reader, usually a non-professional, who provides feedback on a writer’s work.
The first reader, usually a non-professional, who provides feedback on a writer’s work.
ANT
Antagonist: the adversary or competitor to the hero/protagonist of any story.
Antagonist: the adversary or competitor to the hero/protagonist of any story.
APS
Associated Press Stylebook: a writer’s and journalist’s reference manual for rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, and word and numeral usage.
Associated Press Stylebook: a writer’s and journalist’s reference manual for rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, and word and numeral usage.
ARC
Advance reader copy: free copy of a book given by a publisher to media, librarians, or other readers in advance of official publication.
Advance reader copy: free copy of a book given by a publisher to media, librarians, or other readers in advance of official publication.
ASIN
Amazon Standard Identification Number: Amazon’s unique identifier for each book they sell.
Amazon Standard Identification Number: Amazon’s unique identifier for each book they sell.
AU
Alternate universe: a fictional universe in which recognizable details are changed in order to create the story.
Alternate universe: a fictional universe in which recognizable details are changed in order to create the story.
Beta reader
A reader, usually non-professional, who provides feedback on a book after a writer has made revisions inspired by alpha readers.
A reader, usually non-professional, who provides feedback on a book after a writer has made revisions inspired by alpha readers.
BG
Bad guy: the Freddy Krueger, Lord Voldemort, or Darth Vader of your narrative.
Bad guy: the Freddy Krueger, Lord Voldemort, or Darth Vader of your narrative.
BS
Backstory: history or background that occurs before the current events of a story.
Backstory: history or background that occurs before the current events of a story.
Character arc
The inner journey and transformation in personality of a character between the beginning and the end of a story.
The inner journey and transformation in personality of a character between the beginning and the end of a story.
CMOS
Chicago Manual of Style: a writer’s and editor’s reference manual for grammar usage, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, and word and numeral usage.
Chicago Manual of Style: a writer’s and editor’s reference manual for grammar usage, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, and word and numeral usage.
Cont
Contemporary (genre): a genre that, although fictional, depicts realistic events that could happen in today’s society. An example: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
CP
Critique partner: a writer who provides feedback on a fellow writer’s work.
Contemporary (genre): a genre that, although fictional, depicts realistic events that could happen in today’s society. An example: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
CP
Critique partner: a writer who provides feedback on a fellow writer’s work.
Drabble
One hundred words that tell a story. Drabbles, because of their brevity, demand zero redundancies, strong verbs, and minimal showing. Drabbles usually require more time to write than longer stories.
One hundred words that tell a story. Drabbles, because of their brevity, demand zero redundancies, strong verbs, and minimal showing. Drabbles usually require more time to write than longer stories.
F & SF
Fantasy and science fiction (genre): make-believe worlds and characters combined with narrative that is based on scientific principles. Think Star Wars by George Lucas et al.
Fantasy and science fiction (genre): make-believe worlds and characters combined with narrative that is based on scientific principles. Think Star Wars by George Lucas et al.
FF
Flash fiction: very short fiction, usually containing fewer than 1000 words.
Flash fiction: very short fiction, usually containing fewer than 1000 words.
FMC
Female main character
Female main character
FN/Fant
Fantasy (genre): mythical worlds often populated by magical creatures. Example: Harry Potter by J. K. Rowlng.
Fantasy (genre): mythical worlds often populated by magical creatures. Example: Harry Potter by J. K. Rowlng.
GMC
Goal, motivation, conflict: important elements for engaging stories.
Goal, motivation, conflict: important elements for engaging stories.
GN
Graphic novel (genre): stories are told using a combination of graphic panels and text. Although a graphic novel may be similar to a comic book in format, it usually encompasses an intriguing plot with character growth. Example: the Logan’s Run graphic novels by William F. Nolan et al.
Graphic novel (genre): stories are told using a combination of graphic panels and text. Although a graphic novel may be similar to a comic book in format, it usually encompasses an intriguing plot with character growth. Example: the Logan’s Run graphic novels by William F. Nolan et al.
HC
Hardcover
Hardcover
HEA
Happily ever after: the way many fairy tales end.
Happily ever after: the way many fairy tales end.
Hook
An element that is unique to a story. Always memorable, it may also be controversial.
An element that is unique to a story. Always memorable, it may also be controversial.
HR
Horror (genre): frightening stories that often includes elements of fantasy. Examples: Children of the Corn by Stephen King and The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe.
Horror (genre): frightening stories that often includes elements of fantasy. Examples: Children of the Corn by Stephen King and The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe.
Indie
A writer who is not associated with a major publisher.
A writer who is not associated with a major publisher.
Juv
Juvenile (audience/genre): usually geared to children under twelve years of age. Example: Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White.
Juvenile (audience/genre): usually geared to children under twelve years of age. Example: Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White.
LI
Love interest
Love interest
Logline
A brief summary, usually one sentence, that presents the main conflict or storyline, often combined with a hook to stimulate the interest of readers.
A brief summary, usually one sentence, that presents the main conflict or storyline, often combined with a hook to stimulate the interest of readers.
LOI
Letter of introduction
Letter of introduction
Mary Sue
Stereotypical perfect female character.
Stereotypical perfect female character.
MC
Main character
Main character
MG
Middle grade (audience/genre): fiction intended for children in middle grade. Example: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.
Middle grade (audience/genre): fiction intended for children in middle grade. Example: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.
MMC
Male main character
Male main character
MMPB
Mass-market paperback
Mass-market paperback
MS or MSS
Manuscript
Manuscript
NA
New adult (audience/genre): fiction with protagonists between eighteen and thirty years of age. Example: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire.
New adult (audience/genre): fiction with protagonists between eighteen and thirty years of age. Example: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire.
NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month: participants begin on November 1 and try to produce the first draft of a 50,000-word novel by midnight on November 30.
National Novel Writing Month: participants begin on November 1 and try to produce the first draft of a 50,000-word novel by midnight on November 30.
NF
Non-fiction (genre): this genre embraces everything that isn’t fiction. Example: What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey.
Non-fiction (genre): this genre embraces everything that isn’t fiction. Example: What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey.
OP
Out of print
Out of print
Pantser
A person who “flies by the seat of their pants,” writing without preparing a story outline.
A person who “flies by the seat of their pants,” writing without preparing a story outline.
PB
Paperback
Paperback
PH
Plot hole
Plot hole
Pitch
Words used to persuade an agent to represent you, to convince an editor to publish your book, or to induce people to buy it.
Words used to persuade an agent to represent you, to convince an editor to publish your book, or to induce people to buy it.
Plantser
A combination plotter/pantser: someone who prepares a rudimentary outline before writing.
A combination plotter/pantser: someone who prepares a rudimentary outline before writing.
PLI
Primary love interest
Primary love interest
Plotter
The opposite of a pantser, a plotter plans a detailed outline of a story or book before writing the first draft.
The opposite of a pantser, a plotter plans a detailed outline of a story or book before writing the first draft.
PNR
Paranormal romance (genre): a combination of romance and speculative fiction. Example: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.
Paranormal romance (genre): a combination of romance and speculative fiction. Example: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.
POD
Print on demand: books not printed by the publisher until a purchaser orders a copy.
Print on demand: books not printed by the publisher until a purchaser orders a copy.
POP
Pay on publication: publishers that pay when a short story, poem, or book is published.
Pay on publication: publishers that pay when a short story, poem, or book is published.
POV
Point of view
Point of view
pp
Pages (usually preceded by a number, as 301 pp).
Pages (usually preceded by a number, as 301 pp).
PRO
Protagonist: one of the main characters in a story.
Protagonist: one of the main characters in a story.
Query
A formal email or letter sent by a writer to a prospective publisher to propose a writing idea or plug a book.
A formal email or letter sent by a writer to a prospective publisher to propose a writing idea or plug a book.
R&R
Revise and resubmit
Revise and resubmit
RI
Romantic interest: Juliet would be Romeo’s romantic interest and vice versa.
Romantic interest: Juliet would be Romeo’s romantic interest and vice versa.
RO
Romance (genre): the primary focus of a romance novel is the romantic relationship of its protagonists, usually riddled with conflict, snags, and at least one rival. Readers expect a happy resolution. Example: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough.
Romance (genre): the primary focus of a romance novel is the romantic relationship of its protagonists, usually riddled with conflict, snags, and at least one rival. Readers expect a happy resolution. Example: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough.
RRP
Recommended retail price
Recommended retail price
RWA
Romance Writers of America: a non-profit association for romance writers.
Romance Writers of America: a non-profit association for romance writers.
SASE
Self-addressed, stamped envelope
Self-addressed, stamped envelope
SC
Secondary character or supporting character
Secondary character or supporting character
Self-publishing
The process whereby a writer publishes works directly rather than through a publisher.
The process whereby a writer publishes works directly rather than through a publisher.
SF
Science fiction (genre): stories, often set in the future, that rely on established or imagined scientific principles. Example: Dune by Frank Herbert.
Science fiction (genre): stories, often set in the future, that rely on established or imagined scientific principles. Example: Dune by Frank Herbert.
SFR
Science fiction romance (genre): a combination of science fiction and romance genres. Example: Divergent by Veronica Roth.
Science fiction romance (genre): a combination of science fiction and romance genres. Example: Divergent by Veronica Roth.
Slush pile
The “pile” of unsolicited manuscripts received by an editor or publisher.
The “pile” of unsolicited manuscripts received by an editor or publisher.
SP
Speculative fiction (genre): encompasses several genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, and their combinations. Example: The Lord of the Ringsby J. R. R. Tolkien.
Speculative fiction (genre): encompasses several genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, and their combinations. Example: The Lord of the Ringsby J. R. R. Tolkien.
SQ
Status query: a query about the disposition of a manuscript previously submitted to an editor or publisher.
Status query: a query about the disposition of a manuscript previously submitted to an editor or publisher.
Susp
Suspense/thriller (genre): stories that keep readers in suspense, horrified, or anxious, often until the last chapter of a book. Example: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
Suspense/thriller (genre): stories that keep readers in suspense, horrified, or anxious, often until the last chapter of a book. Example: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
Synopsis
Brief summary of a story, written in present tense, usually a couple of paragraphs in length.
Brief summary of a story, written in present tense, usually a couple of paragraphs in length.
TH
Thriller (genre): [see Susp].
Thriller (genre): [see Susp].
ToC
Table of contents
Table of contents
TPB
Trade paperback: a paperback book that is larger than mass-market pocketbooks.
Trade paperback: a paperback book that is larger than mass-market pocketbooks.
Trad-pub
A work published through a traditional publisher.
A work published through a traditional publisher.
UF
Urban fantasy (genre): fantasy based in an urban setting. Example: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.
Urban fantasy (genre): fantasy based in an urban setting. Example: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.
UR
Urban (genre): fiction based in an urban setting. Example: Street Players by Donald Goines.
Urban (genre): fiction based in an urban setting. Example: Street Players by Donald Goines.
WC
Word count
Word count
WIP
Work in progress
Work in progress
XO
Crossover: work intended for children or young adults that also appeals to an adult audience.
Crossover: work intended for children or young adults that also appeals to an adult audience.
YA
Young adult (audience/genre): fiction that appeals to readers from twelve years of age to those in their early twenties. Example: The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Young adult (audience/genre): fiction that appeals to readers from twelve years of age to those in their early twenties. Example: The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Thanks George! Great list.
ReplyDeleteM