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ARCANE TOMES
Arcane Tomes / ArcaneTomes.org is an indie fantasy bookstore (of sorts) sponsored by Peasant Magazine and serves to promote Indie Fantasy Books, and also serves to promote Peasant Magazine itself.
Joining Arcane Tomes is free and the only requirement is that authors must have self-published at least one book. Literary magazines/journals that publish fantasy stories by indie authors are also acceptable.
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Glossary of Publishing Rights and Submission Jargon*
* Words commonly used by literary magazines, anthologies, and publishers.
Types of Rights
First Serial Rights (FSR)
The publisher gets the right to be the first to publish your work in a magazine, journal, or anthology.
After publication, rights revert to the author.
First World-Wide Rights (FWWR)
The publisher gets the right to be the first to publish your work anywhere in the world, often both in print and online.
First North American Serial Rights (FNASR)
The publisher gets the right to first publication in North America (U.S., Canada, sometimes Mexico).
You retain the right to publish elsewhere.
One-Time Rights
The publisher may publish the piece once and only once.
Useful for readings, special anthologies, or event-specific publications.
Reprint Rights (Second Serial Rights)
The publisher gets permission to republish a piece that has already appeared elsewhere.
Often pays less than first rights.
Archival Rights
The publisher may keep your work in their online archive indefinitely.
Sometimes negotiable (e.g., rights revert after a year).
Exclusive Rights
The publisher is the only one allowed to publish the work for a certain period.
After that, rights revert to you.
Non-Exclusive Rights
You can publish the same piece with multiple outlets at the same time.
All Rights
The publisher owns your work outright.
You lose all control unless you negotiate otherwise (usually not recommended).
Work for Hire
The publisher or client is considered the legal author of the work.
You're paid once, with no further rights.
Publishing Rights & Legal Terms
Electronic Rights / Digital Rights - Rights to publish online, in eBooks, or digital magazines.
Audio Rights - Rights to produce your work as an audiobook, podcast, or radio broadcast.
Translation Rights - Rights to have your work translated into other languages.
Film/TV Rights (Adaptation Rights) - Rights to adapt your work into visual media.
Subsidiary Rights - All secondary rights beyond the initial print (audio, foreign, anthology, etc.).
Territorial Rights - Rights limited to a specific region (e.g., UK rights, U.S. rights).
Submission & Publishing Jargon
Simultaneous Submission
Sending the same piece to multiple magazines at once.
Some publishers allow it, others don't.
Multiple Submissions
Sending several different pieces to the same magazine during one reading period.
Submission Window
The time frame when a publisher is open to receiving submissions.
Slush Pile
The stack (often digital now) of unsolicited submissions from unknown writers.
Acceptance Letter / Contract
The formal document stating the publisher will publish your work, often with rights and payment terms.
Contributor's Copy
A free copy of the magazine, journal, or anthology given to authors whose work is published.
Kill Fee
A partial payment if the publisher accepts a work but later decides not to publish it.
Contract Killer
A red flag or dispute between the author and publisher that ends up 'killing the deal' so that the contract doesn't get signed.
Often the result of a single condition that both parties cannot agree upon.
On Spec (Speculative Submission)
Submitting work without a prior contract or request, hoping the publisher will accept it.
Cover Letter
A short note accompanying a submission, introducing yourself and your work.
Editorial Revision / Substantive Edit
Changes suggested by the editor to improve content, clarity, or style before publication.
Manuscript & Submission Terms
Unsolicited Submission - Work sent without a request from the editor.
Query Letter - A short proposal to pitch a story, book, or article before submitting the full manuscript.
Pitch - A brief summary of an idea, often used in nonfiction publishing.
Exclusive Submission - When a magazine requests that you submit only to them until they decide.
Withdrawn Submission - When an author pulls their piece from consideration (often because it was accepted elsewhere).
Response Time - The average time it takes for a publisher to reply to submissions.
Magazine & Book Production Terms
Galley Proofs / ARCs (Advance Review Copies) - Early versions of a book or magazine sent out for review or proofreading before final printing.
Layout / Typesetting - The process of arranging text and images on the page.
Copy Editing - Editing focused on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency.
Line Editing - Editing focused on sentence flow, word choice, and readability.
Proofreading - Final pass to catch typos or formatting errors.
Payment & Compensation Terms
Pro Rata Payment - Payment divided equally among contributors.
Flat Fee - A fixed payment regardless of word count or circulation.
Per Word Rate - Payment based on number of words.
Royalties - Ongoing payments based on sales of a book or anthology.
Token Payment or Small Stipend - A small honorarium (eg. $5-$20).
Exposure Only - Payment in visibility, not money (controversial).
Circulation & Publishing Models
Print Run - The number of physical copies printed.
Backlist - Older titles that continue to sell after initial release.
Frontlist - Newly released titles.
Open Access - Free-to-read publications, often online.
Paywall - Content restricted to paying subscribers.
Industry Slang & Miscellaneous
Vanity Press - A press where authors pay to be published (different from self-publishing).
Hybrid Publishing - A model mixing traditional publishing with author-paid services.
Small Press - Independent publishers with limited print runs and budgets.
Big Five - The five largest traditional publishing houses (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Macmillan).
Reading Fee - A fee charged by some presses or contests to consider a submission.
Gatekeeping - The role of editors/agents deciding what gets published.
House Style - The specific formatting and style rules of a publisher.
Sitemap | Last Updated: September 30th 2025.
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