Byline: This is what most writers want---the writer's name included somewhere to show who the piece was written by.

Book proposal: This is a written piece sent to an editor to convince the editor to want to see a book length nonfiction manuscript. It contains a table of contents for the manuscript, two or three sample chapters, synopsis of all the chapters. the reason why the writer is qualified to write this manuscript, pertinent background of the author, a detailed marketing plan which the author plans on doing to promote the work, a list of endorsements already received, etc. Many writers say this is far harder to write than the manuscript. A book proposal may be as long as 75 pages.

Elevator speech or elevator pitch: This is another term for pitch. It's called elevator speech because a writer needs to be able to sell an editor on the idea of his or her manuscript in about a 45 second time frame---the time it takes an elevator to go from one floor to the next. This is extremely crucial for all writers to learn.

Genre: This is the specific category in which a written work falls. Humor, westerns, mystery, biographies, gift books are just a few of the genres. A writer needs to determine which genre he or she is writing for and know that mass market appeal is not a genre.

Ghost writer: This is a writer who actually writes a book (often for celebrities) but the actual writer's name usually does not appear anywhere on the cover or in the book. As industry has changed, more ghost authors are beginning to get credit with their name written somewhere, usually placed next to the "author" which the book is supposedly written by and then "with such and such" next to it that includes the name of the ghost author.

Pitch: This is the succinctly worded speech or written text to encourage an editor to want to see or buy a manuscript.

POV: This stands for point of view.

Point of View: This is the "view" that the manuscript is written in. It can be written from a first person, second person, third person, and occasionally omniscient view point.

Query: This is a one-page letter to an editor pitching a proposed nonfiction article. It can also be a pitch to a director for a screen play.

Reprints: This is previously published articles. Some things published on the web count as being published, so writers have to be aware that when a piece is sent somewhere that has been posted on the web, it may now fall under the category of reprint rights. Reprints are usually paid less than the original was paid, but this is not always the case.

SASE: This is an abbreviation for self addressed stamped envelope. If snail mail is required, an SASE is usually sent with a query or manuscript so the editor, publisher, or agent can send the material back to the writer with suggestions or denial.

Side bar: This is additional information a publisher may ask for (or the author may suggest it) which further elaborates about the subject of the written piece yet it doesn't fit within the context of the main piece.

Unsolicited Manuscript: an article, story, or book which the publisher or editor did not ask for.

Writers Guidelines: These are the more or less detailed requirements specific publications want in manuscripts submitted to them. Guidelines can cover word length, tone, payment, kill fee, response time, etc.