Frequently Used Terms

Below are the definitions of frequently used terms and abbreviations you will find on the site and through the Author and Reader Community.

AB/Author Branding

Author Branding goes beyond a simple logo or avatar. 

It provides knowledge or understanding to Readers, Publishers, and other Providers with your writing style and genre. 

It is used to communicate your values and beliefs, creating interest in you as an author. It is the answer to Why should consumers take an interest in you as opposed to anyone else. If your author branding is effective, consumers will recognize your brand the minute they see one of your books or other promotions. 

Alpha Reader

An Alpha Reader is the most heavily vetted and critical member of the team for authors looking to include them. 

Alpha’s have the longest and heaviest role. Alpha Readers receive manuscripts in raw, unedited form before the editors. Their feedback is collected and passed on to the Author to possibly utilize in their work.

ARC

Advanced Review Copy

An ARC is a request for a subjective Review of a manuscript in exchange for early/unpurchased access. Often, ARCs are provided prior to publication; however, backlist options are also available. This is the only reader that should leave public reviews and opinions.

ARC readers are tasked with reading the manuscript provided in its entirety where possible and are to provide an honest opinion (Advanced Review) on the overall story.

Beta Reader

A Beta Reader is vetted based on their understanding of genres, tropes, and settings as they relate to the Author's narrative. Beta’s make a commitment to refining a manuscript. Beta Readers receive manuscripts after the Alpha or when the Author has done their own editing and is in need of further story development. Their feedback is collected and passed on to the Author to possibly utilize in their work.

Commercial Use

Commercial Use is a legal term that defines the use of certain merchandise, tools, or intellectual property for financial gain.

CpC/Client-provided Content 

Client-provided Content is defined as any (Audio, visual, or written) content or materials provided by the client. All content must be Licensed or have permission granted for Full Commercial Use. 

CsC/Client-suggested Content 

Client-suggested Content is defined as any (Audio, visual, or written) content or materials where the client gives loose parameters within their branding for use to locate and create material for promotion by the content creator. (HHP) All materials will be Licensed or have permission granted for Full Commercial Use.

HHP

Haney Hayes Promotions/ Haney Hayes PR

HL

Heat Level

A term often seen in the Romance genre and like the violence level, is a quantitative scale used to explain the amount of physical content that is contained within provided material. It is given as a precursor and is a means of allowing a consumer to make an informed decision to consent or decline as to whether they wish to view, hear, or read the content. 

For further reading on this topic, please refer to our page on the subject here.

NDA

Non-Disclosure Agreement

A Non-Disclosure Agreement is used to safely share or disclose confidential information where the parties involved agree to specific parameters of what those confidentialities may be. In terms of Publishing, these are often required during the distribution of ARCs or other materials owned by the Author or Service Provider. Failure to agree to the terms or breaking any part of the agreement can result in legal action by the parties listed.

NL

Newsletter

A Newsletter is a form of periodical (Daily, Weekly, bi-Weekly- etc.) content that provides regular communication to subscribers and communities. (This is offered FREE for their continued support. In terms of Publishing, these often include content based on the Author's work, life, and publishing journey.

Patrons

Partons are persons, communities, or other entities that, much like Subscribers, voluntarily provide their contact information for communications from a person or business. The difference is that their support is in the form of a recurring FEE. This fee is in exchange for exclusive content provided to them. In terms of Publishing, this content often includes First Looks at new projects. Patron-based offers like sales or merchandise, Author/Artist signed materials, and ARC offers.

PR

Promotions

Promotions are defined as any content created or provided by the client, HHP,  or a third party for use or distribution to the public for advertising purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, digital, print, and audio content.

Sensitivity Reader

A Sensitivity Reader is a role that can be defined as a person whose human experience gives them a unique view of the world around them. These people often are representative of experiences outside the scope of the Author.

SM

Social Media

Social Media is defined as interactive tech that helps with the creation and sharing of content, ideas, interests, or other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. 

Subscribers

Subscribers are persons, communities, or other entities that voluntarily provide their contact information for communications from a person or business. This is offered FREE for their continued support. In terms of Publishing, this content often includes Newsletters, special sales, or offers. 

SL

Spice Level

Another term for Heat Level.

TOS

Terms of Service

Terms of Service serve as a disclaimer and is a legal agreement between the service provider and a client who wishes to use/hire. The Client must agree to abide by the TOS for continued use of the service offered or provided.

VW

Violence Level

A violence level is a quantitative scale used to explain the amount of violent-physical or psychological-content, that is contained within provided material. It is given as a precursor and is a means of allowing a consumer to make an informed decision to consent or decline as to whether they wish to view, hear, or read the content.

For further reading on this topic, please refer to our page on the subject here.

WIP

Work In Progress. 

A project that is ongoing but not yet complete for commercial use or distribution.

Content and Trigger Warnings

HHP recognizes that there is a far larger debate in the industry as to the lack of clarity regarding the semantics of these warnings.  As they are often used interchangeably. 

For the purposes of our guide, the intent is to provide people the agency to mentally prepare for their interactions with the content and to make choices about how and if to consent to engage. We encourage Authors to consider the level of distress the content is likely to elicit when determining if, when, and what type of warning they choose to provide to their readers. As this evolves, HHP will continue to provide information as soon as it is available and utilized within the industry. 

CW

Content Warning

A Content Warning is a written or oral disclaimer that discloses that the content of the material may be intellectually or emotionally challenging. It may manifest feelings of discomfort, distress, and/or upset due to its sensitive nature.

TW 

Trigger Warning

A Trigger Warning is much like a Content Warning; however, it relates specifically to Trauma Survivors.  The content contained may cause emotional or physical distress, typically as a result of arousing feelings or memories associated with a particular traumatic experience.