Children’s Writing and Publishing Jargon: The Basics

The writing and publishing arena has a number of words specific to the industry, its lingo or jargon. Below are some of the most important ones for the children’s author.

1. Manuscript (MS): This is what your draft is called once it’s complete and ready for submission.

2. WIP (Work in Progress): A manuscript currently being written or revised.

3. Pantser: A writer who writes without using an outline, ‘by the seat of their pants’.

4. Plotter: A writer who outlines the story (structure and plot) before writing.

5. POV (Point of View): The perspective from which a story is told.

6. Hook: The element of a story that immediately grabs a reader’s attention.

7. Synopsis: This is a summary of the manuscript. It’s best to try to keep it to one page and include the ending.

8. Proposal: The proposal is what you’ll send an editor or agent to pitch a nonfiction book. It should be detailed and include:

-A ‘hook’ cover letter
-Table of contents
-A market analysis (why the book will be successful based on marketing aspects)
-Author bio and platform
-Outline (summary of each chapter)
-Completed sample chapters (submit the number of chapters the guidelines require)

9. Query: This is a one-page letter to an editor or agent explaining what your manuscript is about. It should also include a bit on who you are and what your qualifications (experiences) are for writing this particular story (if there are any). You should also include a brief paragraph on how you intend to help market the book.

For more on writing and sending queries, check out:
Be Specific and Professional When Submitting Queries

10. Sample Chapters: These are chapters to include in your book proposal or that an interested agent or publisher may request. For fiction, use completed opening chapters. For nonfiction, you can choose the chapters you feel best represent the story.

11. Picture book (PB): These books range from bedtime stories to ages 7 and 8. They have simple stories with one protagonist (main character). The story is told from the protagonist’s POV (point of view).

12. Easy (early) readers: These are the first ‘chapter stories’ for the beginning reader, aged around 6-8, or younger. These stories are usually between 500 and 1,500 words with illustrations here and there throughout. The storyline is still kept simple and focus only on the protagonist’s POV.

13. Chapter books: These books are usually for ages 7-9, but can range from 6-12. The word count is boosted to 5,000-15,000 words. Since the reader is developing her reading skills, the vocabulary, sentence structure, and storyline are broadened.

14. Middle grade (MG): These books usually cover ages 9-12. They can include more than one POV and have more complicated storylines. The word count varies. An average guideline is 20,000 (for younger middle grade) to 35,000 (for upper middle grade).

15. Young adult (YA): This genre encompasses the twelve to sixteen and up age group. YAs can be edgy; plots and characters can be complex, and serious issues can be addressed.

For a more detailed breakdown of children’s categories, check out:
Writing Children’s Books: Genre Differences

16. Draft: I included this additional term because some beginning writers wonder what the difference is between a draft and a manuscript.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a draft is “a piece of writing or drawing that is done early in the development of a work to help prepare it in its final form.”

So, a draft is what you initially create and work on until it’s polished into the final manuscript.

17. Platform: Your author platform is your online presence, your visibility, and your ability to market and sell your book. Your platform allows you to bring website traffic (visitors) to your site, build your perceived authority/expertise, and develop a relationship with readers. This includes having a social media presence, also. A platform is a must for every writer.

As a former online author platform instructor with WOW! Women on Writing, if you need help building your platform or bringing it to the next level, check out my 4-week e-course: Creating an Author Online Platform.

References:
October 2014 of Writer’s Digest, “Industry Lingo” on page 22.
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-8-essential-elements-of-a-nonfiction-book-proposal

MORE ON WRITING FOR CHILDREN

Plot and Your Story – Four Formats
Make Your Children’s Writing Website Focused – 3 Must-Haves, 6 Tips
How Do You Make a Good Story Worth of Getting Past the Gatekeeper

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