Glossary of Publishing Terms-Part Eight

by Laura Fabiani @ NouveauWriter

Still unsure of the exact meaning of the words subsidy publisher and tearsheet? Keep reading.

SUBAGENT: An agent handling certain subsidiary rights, usually working in conjunction with the agent who handled the book rights. The percentage paid to the book agent is increased to pay the subagent.

SUBSIDIARY RIGHTS: All rights other than book publishing rights included in a book publishing contract, such as paperback rights, book club rights, audiobook rights, and movie rights. Part of an agent’s job is to negotiate those rights and advise you on which to sell and which to keep.

SUBSIDY PUBLISHER: A book publisher who charges the author for the cost to typeset and print his book, the jacket, etc, as opposed to a royalty publisher who pays the author.

SYNOPSIS: A brief summary of a story, novel, or play. As part of a book proposal, it is a comprehensive summary condensed in a page or page and a half, single spaced.

TABLOID: Newspaper-format publication, about half the size of the regular newspaper page.

TEARSHEET: Page from a magazine or newspaper containing your printed story, article or poem.

TOC: Table of Contents.

TRADE BOOK: Either a hardcover or softcover book; subject matter frequently concerns a special interest for a general audience; sold mainly in bookstores.

TRADE PAPERBACK: A soft-bound volume, usually around 5×8, published and designed for the general public; available mainly in bookstores.

TRANSLATION RIGHTS: Rights sold to a foreign agent or foreign publisher.

UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPT: A story, article, poem, or book that an editor did not specifically ask to see.

YA (YOUNG ADULT) BOOKS: Fiction or non-fiction geared towards readers ages 12-18.