writersrelief:

Here’s a list of publishing industry terms that insiders use to describe various styles of creative writing. Soon you’ll be talking about books, short stories, essays, and poems in the same way that sommeliers speak about fine wines!

While not everyone uses this jargon, and some of the lingo has multiple meanings, these words and phrases can help you describe the characteristics of a manuscript or book. If you’ve heard these words in a different context—or if you can add your own words to this list of descriptions—please leave a note in our comments section.