Biographies: A summary written in 3rd person by the writer or artist. It is sometimes limited in length by a specific word count set by a literary magazine or publisher. It generally includes information on the contributor such as previous publication credits (if applicable), hobbies, professional achievements, or general interests. Biographies can be casual or formal.

Bio(s): Short for biographies.

Contributor: Used to describe someone who has been accepted into a literary journal for publication.

Contributor Copy: A free copy of an issue that a contributor is featured in that is given or mailed to them.

Cover Letter: A letter written by a submitter that is included with their submission. The writer may add short introduction about themselves, their piece being submitted, previously publication history, or a note to or about the publication they are submitting to.

Digital Proof: A digital version of a proof copy. Usually in the form of PDF file or Microsoft Word Doc.

Fee-Free: When a publisher does not charge a reading or submission fee.

Open reading period or Submission period: A time frame that a literary magazine is open for reading submissions.

Proof or Proof Copy: A pre-finalized copy of a publication. These are ordered or created before setting the publication to “live” or available for sale to the public. The purpose of a proof is to catch errors or allow for edits before releasing the book.

Publication Credits: A list of previous publications, usually brief and found in biographies.

Reading Blind: When a publisher reads a submission with no identifying information on it. This means the writer’s name, cover letter, and publication history has been removed or not included at all, and the submission is read with just its title and story.

Reading Fee: Sometimes used interchangeably with “submission fee.”

Reprint: A piece that has been previously published.

Rolling Submissions: When submissions are open on a "rolling basis" meaning sometimes closed, other times open.

Sim Sub: Short for simultaneous submission.

Simultaneous submission: A submission that has been sent to multiple literary magazines or publishers at one time.

Submission Fee: A fee charged by the publisher when accepting and reading submissions.

Submission withdrawal or Submission withdrawn: A submission that has been withdrawn from a publication's consideration, usually a simultaneous submission that has been accepted elsewhere.