A Poetry Listing of Terms

Photo courtesy of www.britishcouncil.org

There are so many different terms we need to know as poets and writers that I thought I would list a few here in hopes that it may help you with your writing and publishing endeavors.

Acknowledgments Page - A page in a poetry book or chapbook which lists the publications where the works were originally published.

Anthology - A collection of poetry or writings by several different artists.

Bio - A biographical statement that many publishers request with submissions.

Camera Ready - Poems which are submitted exactly as they are to appear in print.

Chapbook - A small collection of poetry set in a book of 20 to 40 pages.

Contributor’s Copy - A copy of the magazine where a poet’s work appears and is given as payment to the author.

Cover Letter - An introductory letter sent along with a poet’s submission to a publisher.

Digest Sized - A 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 sized publication.

Ezine - A magazine published online.

Galleys - The first typeset version of a poem, magazine, book or chapbook.

IRC - International Reply Coupon for returning a manuscript to other countries outside the USA.

Magazine Sized - A 8 1/2 x 11 sized publication.

ms - manuscript and mss - manuscripts.

Multi Book Review - One book by an author or several books by different authors reviewed as one piece.

Offset Printed - A printing method in which the ink is transferred from an image bearing plate to a blanket then from the blanket to the paper.

Online Magazine - A magazine circulated throughout the Internet - aka ezine.

Pays In Copies - When a publisher pays for your work by sending you copies of the magazine in which your work appears.

Perfect Bound - Publication with glued spine and is also called “flat spined.”

Press Run - The total number of publication copies printed at one time.

Previously Published - Work that has already been published elsewhere.

Print On Demand - Publishing method which allows publications to be printed when requested rather than in one single press run.

Publishing Credits - A list of the poet’s magazine, book and chapbook publications.

Query Letter - A letter sent to a publication for a proposed project or a letter requesting information.

Reading Fee - A monetary fee charged by a publication to read a submission without obligation to accept the work. On a side note to this, it is my opinion that you should never pay a reading fee for anything including contests. When you pay reading fees, it means you are dealing with a business who is there to make money and does not have your interest at heart.

Royalties - A paid percentage to the poet from books sold.

Saddle Stitched - A publication folded then stapled along the fold. Also called Saddle Stapled.

SAE - Self Addressed Envelope

SASE - Self Addressed Stamped Envelope

SASP - Self Addressed Stamped Postcard

Simultaneous Submission - Submission of the same manuscript to more than one publisher at the same time.

Subsidy Press - A publisher who requires the poet to pay all costs for publication. Also called a Vanity Press.

Tabloid Sized - 11 x 15 or larger as a newspaper.

Unsolicited Manuscript - A manuscript which the publisher did not specifically request.

If you have any further questions regarding these terms please contact me by leaving a comment.

Thank you.