The real meaning of publishing
BoingBoing.net directs us to “The Devil’s Publishing Dictionary,” a collaboration between two book bloggers to give a set of common publishing terms more accurate definitions. All of the entries are of the “funny cuz it’s true” sort, but here are some of the highlights:
Advance Reading Copies: A prepublication edition of the book that is distinguishable from regular editions by having no price on the cover, and by costing the publisher more per copy than the reviewers will ever realize by selling them at the Strand or on eBay.
Agents: Even the best authors will eventually write themselves out and fall from favor. Even the best editors will lose their jobs to corporate mergers. But successful agents go on forever, and the really successful ones have lovely summer homes. Try to impress this on your children’s minds when they’re planning their future careers.
Earn Out: To the author, proof that the publisher didn’t pay enough for the book.
Mid-list: What other authors are who sell as well as you do, but don’t have your inherent talent or obvious commercial promise.
And, closest to Quillblog’s hearts:
Reviewer: A person who by virtue of their position must either disappoint their readers, or the authors they review. The ones who satisfy their readers keep their jobs.
Read Ambrose Bierce’s original The Devil’s Dictionary here.
