Skip to Content

Glossary beginning with S

Glossary terms

--Sassy Bookssearch for term
An Imprint Of John Hunt Publishing. Hip, real and raw, SASSY books share untamed truths, spiritual insights and entrepreneurial witchcraft with women who want to kick ass in life and start revolutions.See also: John Hunt Publishing
--Soul Rockssearch for term
An Imprint Of John Hunt Publishing. Seeks our spirit and soul, through individual lifestyle, through the everyday and within the fads and fashions that capture the attention of the demanding modern reader. We are chick-lit, we are cult, we are fashionable fiction & non-fiction with a fierce twist. Blow the cobwebs off your spiritual search and immerse yourself in the freedom of your own spirit Soul Rocks style....See also: John Hunt Publishing
S C Skillman Blogsearch for term

Blog by aspiring writer who realises it's all about confidence. A Blog to encourage, uplift and inspire. scskillman.wordpress.com

Said What?search for term

A sort of quote exchange, with 3,000 quotes and proverbs on line. ranging from the quite interesting to the really funny: "I'm gonna live forever, or die trying." Joseph Heller (Catch 22). Biggest puzzle was why David Sneddon is no 1! www.saidwhat.co.uk

Samuel French Inc.search for term

Play publishers; authors' representatives.

Check strict submission guide for plays

Samuel French Ltdsearch for term

Play Leasing Agents - Play Publishers - Theatre Booksellers

Publishes stage plays for the UK market, mostly acting editions, serves as licensing agent for performance rights, and runs a theatrical bookshop on its premises

Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agencysearch for term

Fiction and non-fiction: narrative, history, business, psychology, science, memoir/biography, contemporary, women's, suspense, children's literature and young adults.

See submissions guide

Sandstone Press Ltdsearch for term
Sanford J. Greenburger Associates Inc.search for term

Fiction and non-fiction, film and TV rights. No unsolicited MSS; query first. Specialises in editorial scouting, advising European publishers about American writers

Submission guidelines

Via e-mail: submit a query letter in the body of the e-mail, and as Word attachments:

  1. the first three chapters of the manuscript (for fiction),
  2. a book proposal (for nonfiction),
  3. a synopsis of the work, and
  4. a brief bio or résumé.

 

Sarah Jane Freyman Literary Agencysearch for term

Special interest in serious non-fiction, mainstream commercial fiction, contemporary women's fiction, Latino American, Asian American, African American fiction and non-fiction.

Non-fiction: women's issues, biography, health/fitness, psychology, self-help, spiritual, natural science, cookbooks, pop culture.

Works in conjunction with Abner Stein in London.

Submissions

Some advice from an agent 'The Perfect Pitch'

Sarah Manson Literary Agentsearch for term

Specialises exclusively in fiction for children and young adults (home 10%, overseas 20%).

Send letter, brief author biography, one-page synopsis, first 3 chapters with sae. See website for full submission guidelines.

Not currently accepting unsolicited submissions

Founded 2002.

Sayle Screen Ltdsearch for term
First established as a literary and dramatists' agency in 1896, Sayle Screen has evolved into one of London's leading and longest standing independent agencies, now representing writers, directors and producers for film, television, stage and new media

Specialises in scripts for film, TV, theatre and radio. Represents film and TV rights in fiction and non-fiction for The Sayle Literary Agency, Greene and Heaton Ltd and Peter Robinson Ltd. Works in conjunction with agents in New York and Los Angeles.

Preliminary letter and return postage essential. Only accepts submissions by post, no email submissions.

Approximately 100 writers; the agency also represents directors for both film and television.

See also: Greene & Heaton Ltd Synonyms: Sayle Screen
Schiavone Literary Agency, Incsearch for term
School Admissionssearch for term

An online directory of schools in India, online schools portal with schools admissions form availability, which seems a model of its kind. www.onlineschooladmissions.com

Science Fiction Foundationsearch for term

British national academic body for the study of science fiction, with library housed at Liverpool University. http://www.sf-foundation.com

Science Fiction Weeklysearch for term

Science fiction and fantasy site offering news and interviews from the more popular end of the spectrum. http://www.scifi.com/sfw

Science Fiction Writers of Americasearch for term

A long established site with some well-researched links to writing resources. (http://www.sfwa.org/)

Scott Ferris Associatessearch for term

General fiction and non-fiction.

No unsolicited MSS or submissions by email. Preliminary letter and postage essential. Reading fee by arrangement.

Founded 1981.

Scott Meredith Literary Agency LPsearch for term
Scottish Arts Councilsearch for term

Government body for funding the arts in Scotland. Their well-organized site offers a mass of information about the arts in Scotland, including writers’ bursaries, fellowships and translation fellowships. There are also lists of literary awards and literary magazines. Their site at www.scottisharts.org.uk is well worth visiting.

Scottish Arts Council Book Awardssearch for term


Scottish Arts Council, 12 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7DD

Phone 0131 226 6051

Fax 0131 225 9833

gavin.wallace@scottisharts.org.uk

www.sac.org.uk

Contact: Gavin Wallace, Literature Officer

A minimum of three awards is made annually in the spring. The current value of award is £1000 to each author but due to be increased from 2002. Preference is given to literary fiction but literary non-fiction is also considered. Authors should be Scottish or resident in Scotland, but books of Scottish interest by other authors are eligible for consideration. Applications from publishers only.

 

Scottish Arts Council Creative Scotland Awardssearch for term


Scottish Arts Council, 12 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7DD

Phone 0131 226 6051/ Help Desk: 0845 603 6000

Fax 0131 225 9833

helpdesk@scottisharts.org.uk

www.sac.org.uk

The details of this scheme are currently under review but substantial awards or commissions will be available to established artists based in Scotland working in any medium, including writing.

 

Scottish Arts Council New Writers' Bursariessearch for term


Scottish Arts Council, 12 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7DD

Phone 0131 226 6051

Fax 0131 225 9833

gavin.wallace@scottisharts.org.uk

www.sac.org.uk

Contact: Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature

Ten bursaries of £2,000 awarded annually to enable previously unpublished writers of literary work more time to devote to their writing. Applicants should be based in Scotland.

 

Scottish Arts Council Writers' and Playwrights' Bursariessearch for term


Scottish Arts Council, 12 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7DD

Phone 0131 226 6051

Fax 0131 225 9833

gavin.wallace@scottisharts.org.uk

www.sac.org.uk

Contact: Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature

Bursaries to enable published writers of literary work and recognised playwrights to devote more time to their writing. Around 20 bursaries of up to £15,000 awarded annually; deadline for applications in June and December. Application open to writers based in Scotland.

 

Scottish Children's Presssearch for term

Publish quality Scottish interest books for children of all ages. 

Since our launch in 1995, Scottish Children’s Press has blossomed – in 1999 we stepped away from our parent to form our own independent company, under new management, and after a few upheavals (moving from Aberdeen to Edinburgh) we have now finally settled into our new home at Newbattle Abbey, just outside Dalkeith, Scotland.

Scottish Plays/Brown, Son & Ferguson, Ltd search for term

One act plays and full length plays. Brown, Son & Ferguson, Ltd. publishers of Scottish plays have been publishing plays for nearly 100 years. Throughout this time we have published more than 1000 'one act' and 'full length' plays.

Plays manuscripts are normally received on a fairly regular basis for assessment and these we have read by professional theatrical workers who are either producers, directors or even theatre critics and from their assessment is based our decision whether or not to publish.

Scottish Poetry Librarysearch for term

Library focusing on contemporary poetry written in Scotland in Scots, Gaelic and English. Can borrow free in person, but 50p charge for postal borrowings. www.spl.org.uk

Scottish Publishers Associationsearch for term

Trade association of almost 50 Scottish publishers - helps publishers promote their books. http://www.scottishbooks.org/

Screenonlinesearch for term

Impressive resource offering material on British film and tv from the bfi archive, with many video clips and much other reference material. http://www.screenonline.org.uk

Screenwriters Onlinesearch for term

Slick site which offers inside information through The Screenwriter’s Inside Report, a screenwriting competition and online masterclasses. Worth a look if you’re serious about writing for Hollywood. http://www.screenwriter.com/insider/news.html

Screenwriting sitesearch for term
Alex Epstein’s site about his book offers many tips for the aspiring screenplay writer, including a screenplay evaluation service at www.craftyscreenwriting.com.
Scribblepadsearch for term

UK site providing useful articles on writing creatively and successfully, with subjects like The Nuances of Writing for Kids, versus Adults and How to Proofread your Writing. www.scribblepad.co.uk

Scriptwriting Softwaresearch for term

A look at the Scriptwriting Software which is available on the market and where you can find it on the web.

Secret Atticsearch for term
New site run by a group of writers and artists which offer regular competitions. http://www.secretattic.com
Seibel Publishing Services Ltdsearch for term
Sell your book alongside Bestsellerssearch for term

Online bookshop which works likes an airport or train station bookshop, encouraging impulse purchases from their 4-book bookshelves. For an annual fee it offers self-publishers guaranteed exposure of their book for a year as part of a random display in which their book is placed on the shelf with a bestseller.. www.synergise.com/books

Sense-Langsearch for term

An excellent course - easy to get started and learn to type quickly.

Seren Bookssearch for term
Click for Seren Books Publishers References listingSynonyms: Poetry Wales Press Ltd
Sheenagh Pugh's writing blogsearch for term
Sheer Poetrysearch for term

Subscription-based new site offering a collection of materials on poetry and poets by the poets themselves, with resources for teachers and students, workshops and libraries, interviews, essays and articles. http://www.sheerpoetry.co.uk/

Sheil Land Associates Ltdsearch for term

Quality literary and commercial fiction and non-fiction, including: politics, history, military history, gardening, thrillers, crime, romance, drama, biography, travel, cookery, humour, UK and foreign estates.

Also theatre, film, radio and TV scripts.

Overseas associates Georges Borchardt, Inc. (Richard Scott Simon). US film and TV representation CAA, APA and others.

Specialises in theatre, film, radio and TV scripts.

Welcomes approaches from new clients, either to start or to develop their careers. Preliminary letter with sae essential. No reading fee.

Clients include: Rose Tremain, Paul Wilson, and Bonnie Greer, Peter Ackroyd, Benedict Allen, Charles Allen, Pam Ayres, Melvyn Bragg, Steven Carroll, David Cohen, Anna del Conte, Judy Corbalis, Elizabeth Corley, Seamus Deane, Chris Ewan, Rosie Goodwin, Jean Goodhind, Robert Green, Susan Hill, Richard Holmes, HRH The Prince of Wales, Ian Johnstone, Irene Karafilly, Richard Mabey, Graham Rice, Steve Rider, Robert Rigby, Martin Riley, Diane Setterfield, Tom Sharpe, Martin Stephen, Jeffrey Tayler, Andrew Taylor, Rose Tremain, Barry Unsworth, Kevin Wells, Prof. Stanley Wells, Neil White, John Wilsher, Paul Wilson and the Estates of Catherine Cookson, Patrick O'Brian, Penelope Mortimer, Jean Rhys and F.A. Worsley.

Synonyms: Christy & Moore, Richard Scott Simon, Sheil Land Associates
Sheila Ableman Literary Agencysearch for term

Non-fiction including history, science, cookery, biography, autobiography.

Specialises in TV tie-ins and celebrity ghostwriting. No poetry, children's, gardening or sport.

Unsolicited MSS welcome. Approach in writing with publishing history, CV, synopsis, 3 chapters and sae for return. No reading fee.

Shelley Power Literary Agency Ltdsearch for term

General fiction and non-fiction. Full-length MSS home 12.5%, USA and translation 20%). No children's books, poetry or plays. Works in conjunction with agents abroad.

No reading fee, but preliminary letter with return postage  essential.

No submissions by email.

 

Shirley Stewart Literary Agencysearch for term

Specialises in literary fiction and general non-fiction.

No poetry, plays, film scripts, science fiction, fantasy or children's books.

No reading fee. Send preliminary letter, synopsis and first 3 chapters plus return postage.

Founded 1993.

Shooting Peoplesearch for term
UK filmmakers network for members which offers daily bulletins for filmmakers, screenwriters and for casting. Also has own list of short guides to aspects of making films. http://www.shootingpeople.org
Short Talksearch for term

New website offering paid-for downloads of short stories by classic authors, plus the chance to submit your own work to go on the site. Worth persisting through the rather annoying Flash intro. http://www.shortalk.co.uk

Sinclair-Stevensonsearch for term

Founded 1995.

General full-length MSS  - no children's books.

Skylark Literary Limitedsearch for term
Society for Editors and Proofreaderssearch for term

UK organisation which represents staff and freelance editors and proofreaders through focusing on maintaining high professional standards and running well-regarded training courses. http://www.sfep.org.uk

Society for Technical Communicationsearch for term

Individual membership organisation (25,000 members - the largest of its kind in the world) which is for anyone who is involved in making technical information available, i.e. technical writers and editors, content developers, academics etc. www.stc.org

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustratorssearch for term

International organisation founded in Los Angeles in 1971 to act as network for exchange of knowledge on children's books.  18,000 members include writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, librarians etc. http://www.scbwi.org/

The British Region branch seems particularly lively, with workshops, events and a newsletter. http://www.wordpool.co.uk/scbwi/index.htm

Society of Indexerssearch for term

British professional body representing indexers. The site at http://www.indexers.org.uk gives useful FAQs about indexing and a professionally-respected course.

Society of Women Writers and Journalistssearch for term

Set up for the encouragement of literary achievement, the upholding of standards and social contact, this, the oldest society for women writers, has regular meetings in London. www.swwj.co.uk

Software Downloadssearch for term

There is a lot of free software. If you have any 'old' equipment (more than 2 years old) such as a printer, you might need new drivers. These are the bits of software that allow a computer to communicate with the bits that are attached or fitted inside.

Microsoft has a complicated site including upgrades and white papers explaining how to use some features, especially package integration. Not the easiest site to navigate but there are some good downloads including demos and tutorials.

Corel produce a serious rival to the Word and Office suite with their WordPerfect and Draw packages. In fact the packages are similar in operation. If you can use one it is easy to switch to the other.

http://www.corel.com

As well as their range of anti-virus products, Symantec publish a range of products to tune up your computer.

http://www.symantec.co.uk/

Adobe is a bit precious as it still sells much of its software at serious prices. However, it is the owner of the PDF file format. It gives away PDF readers on almost every free disk.

http://www.adobe.com/support/main.html

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

There is a formidable amount of software available to download free. As it is shareware, you have to register to get the latest or fully-functioning version. Quality is variable but you can read reviews from other users. Some packages are outstanding and if you have some obscure hobby, shareware might have just the package for you

http://www.shareware.com

Rudenko's free BookReader offers the ability to reformat text from ebooks or other downloadable text, which is great if you have impaired vision.

http://www.rudenko.com/

ZiffDavies, the publisher of many computer periodicals, has a good download site.

http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/

Tucows, despite the silly name which dates from an era when we didn't take computers so seriously, produces and allows download of some good software. Worth a look.

http://www.tucows.com/

CNET: The provenance is not clear but the quality of the downloads is excellent. Some of the best utilities plus a few games.

http://download.cnet.com/

Another good place to look for downloads

http://www.jumbo.com/

For beginners, this useful site provides a basic web tutorial

http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/basic_web/

Software which helps with finding a namesearch for term

Muse names provides a database of 40,000 names for you to browse through.

Software which helps with the plottingsearch for term

How the packages work

None of the software will actually write a word for you. What they do is provide a framework and prompts to suit the genre and style you have set.

The software is only a tool. In the hands of a craftsman, it improves quality and productivity. Even a novice will benefit from the power provided by the software. The tool does not replace the skill or imagination of the user, but it does enhance it.

The packages are not listed in any order of cost or preference. Reviews will be added as they are received.

· Our first review is of the package called newnovelist. 'after describing the characters, the places and setting you have a wonderfully clear and detailed outline' is what our reviewer said.

http://www.newnovelist.com

· Writers Blocks comes in a scientific and creative version. See our review.

http://www.writersblocks.com

· ADM: THE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT DESKTOP

This offers a free download and 30-day trial. Tool for managing data, so might suit non-fiction projects which involve compiling history, or scientific works.

http://www.adm21.net/

· Ideas Tracker with a demo download available. The title accurately describes what it sets out to do, organise data and ideas

http://www.intellectusenterprises.com/IdeaTracker.html

· Power Structure helps to arrange the elements of a story

http://www.write-brain.com/power_structure_main.htm

· StoryCraft 4.3 uses The Jarvis Method, one of the standard fiction models, to help you construct your story. Good online preview so you can see if it suits you.

http://www.storycraftpro.com/

· BookWriter combines the function of word processor and project manager in one package. http://www.designwrite.com/sts/z-write/index.html

http://www.yadudigital.com/products/bookwriter.htm

· Z-write for the MAC platform combines word processing with prompting the creative process. Free trial to download

http://www.designwrite.com/sts/z-write/index.html

· WriteItNow keeps the work on course and there is a demo to download

http://www.ravensheadservices.com/index.htm

Specialist tools (and see freebies below)

· The writer, which is about the business of writing, has a set of courses and some demonstrations

http://www.writepro.com

· StyleWriter checks word-processed documents against 35,000+ language problems and offers ways of clarifying the style.

· Stuck for a name?

http://www.vgrant.com/software.shtml or

· StoryBase examines every known plot

http://www.ashleywilde.com/

· For those compiling dictionaries

http://www.biblioscape.com

· Style software ideal for larger organisations where a corporate style is required but has applications in smaller projects.

http://www.editorsoftware.com/

· If you are looking for a word to rhyme

http://www.writeexpress.com/rhymer.html

Index Creation Software

This shows how CEDEX, SkyIndex and Macrex can help you put your index together.

Some Notes on Self-publishingsearch for term
Booker prize-shortlisted Jill Paton Walsh and John Rowe Townsend offer some pithy advice based on their own experience. www.greenbay.co.uk/advice.html
Somerset Maugham Trust Fundsearch for term

Awards £12,000 (total).

The Society of Authors, 84 Drayton Gardens, London SW10 9SB

Phone 020 7373 6642

Fax 020 7373 5768

info@societyofauthors.org

www.societyofauthors.org

Annual awards designed to encourage writers under the age of 35 to travel. Given on the basis of a published work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Open only to British-born subjects resident in the UK. Final entry date: 20 December. 2002 winners: Charlotte Hobson Black Earth City; Marcel Theroux The Paperchase.

 

Spectrum Agencysearch for term

Founded 1976, and merged in 1978 with the agency founded by Lurton Blassingame in 1928.

Specialises in science fiction, fantasy, mystery/suspense, and romantic suspense.

Synonyms: Ralph M. Vicinanza Ltd
Spoken Word Publishing Associationsearch for term

UK trade association for everyone working in the spoken word industry. Their website is no more than a list of publishers and producers.  http://www.swpa.org.uk

Spread the Wordsearch for term

London organisation running creative writing workshops for writers at all stages, with a focus on new writing and live literature, and encouraging innovation and experimentation. www.spreadtheword.org.uk

Springer Authors’ Forumsearch for term
Advice on how to prepare scientific texts, some of which is only accessible to Springer authors. Navigate from http://www.springeronline.com
Start at Literary Criticismsearch for term

Useful site for those looking for literary criticism on the net, as it has a large number of links to these sites. http://start.at/literarycriticism/

Startlocalsearch for term
This Australian site offers 30 Resources for writers to improve their skills and get exposure and is a really useful resource. www.startlocal.com.au/articles/educational_writers_resource.html
Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.search for term
Stimola Literary Studio, LLCsearch for term
Stock Photo Secretssearch for term
Stock Xchngsearch for term
Huge gallery over 200,000 stock photos by more than 15,000 photographers which are free to use.
Stockxpertsearch for term
Royalty free site where photographers can also earn 50% from the fees for their work.
Stride Publicationssearch for term
Susan Meyer Literary Agentssearch for term

Specialist in the field for Mind, Body & Spirit.

Actively expanding list to include projects in the field of fiction that have an inherent spiritual message

Susan Schulman Literary Dramatic Agents Inc.search for term
Susanna Lea Associatessearch for term
Suzy Jenveysearch for term
Suzy Jenvey Associatessearch for term
literary agency specialising in children's books founded by Suzy Jenvey;See also: Suzy Jenvey
Swanezinesearch for term

Site where writers can publish their work across a broad spectrum of writing, including poetry, short stories and articles. http://sites.google.com/site/swanezine/home

Synonyms forsearch for term
Useful site if you're at a loss for a word or want to find a synonym. www.synonymsfor.com/
S©ott Treimel NYsearch for term
--Storybasesearch for term

Ashley Wilde Inc

$99 for download version www.storybase.net/software/software.html

I recently presented a paper at an archaeological conference where the subsequent debate centred around the definition of some words we thought we all understood. The distinction between information  and interpretation became vital. And where exactly does data turn into evidence?

Understanding terms is essential if you want to take full advantage of Storybase. What you might loosely term ‘plot’, is broken down into conflicts and leads. Each Conflict is written from the point of view of the Protagonist. It is the Protagonist who drives the story forward, but you can change the character list to create several storylines. So, once you have extracted the Leads, you can juggle the names to view things from the viewpoint of the other characters.

The other characters are Antagonist, Friend/Lover, Family and what is called Object X. You need to give the individuals names to keep track of them. So a little bit of pre-planning is required. The nature of the relationship between the Protagonist and the others can be created by defining their Mindset. You have 26 mindsets to choose from and you are limited to 3 choices. The final output works best when the choices have been sensible and consistent.

How the Mindsets interact, depends on which of the 34 Thrusts you select. The Thrust defines the situation or context, such as death or seduction. The output is called a Conflict. These are a set of sentences generated by Storybase. These can be copied and pasted into your developing story.

Finally there are Leads. These are really plotlines. They are broken into Leadins, that come before a Conflict and Leadouts suggesting what comes next with a linkline in the middle. You can click through these separately or let the software link the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ for you.

So much for the functions, but what does this achieve? Storybase is not a ‘one-click’ solution. You need to play around with the various suggestions, explore your characters and think about the output. When you see something that appeals to you in the conflicts or leads, you can copy and paste it into your word processor.

The value of this software depends on how much you need to generate the emotional framework for the characters in your story. If you are writing short stories or have to provide regular scripts for a series, Storybase could provide invaluable inspiration. You will need to shuffle the names around to see how your cast of characters interact. If you are prepared to spend an hour doing this, you can come away with many potential paths for your story to follow.

Storybase helps you define the essence of your story. It was easy to install and getting started takes just a few minutes. Like all tools, you need to spend a few hours to get to know it. Try to generate a few story outlines to understand how you can explore its potential. If you are a well-organised writer who produces detailed sketches, you can survive without this software. If you are in a hurry, and want some novel angles, Storybase might help.

Storybase suggests that non-fiction would benefit from the same approach to hold the attention of the audience. Unlike some other packages, Storybase does not generate pages of text. Instead it provides you with leads that you, as the story-teller, can expand. Storybase might be overpriced for the limited task that it undertakes, but it is a useful tool for those skilful enough to exploit it.

 


Storybase - screenshot

© Chas Jones 2004

See also: Attaché software, Muse names, review newnovelist, Whitesmoke, writers blocks software