Sometimes the art world needs new words just to keep up with itself.

Academics and industry experts work hard to define trends, behaviours, and market shifts - and those definitions matter. But when read together, some of the terms start to feel like a language created to keep uncertainty in check.

Oh, the excitement of a manuscript request! An agent or editor has shown interest in the work you’ve labored over for so long and nothing could be better! But instead of the contract you were hoping for, they send editorial notes for revision. The best thing you can do, while you have their interest, is to dash off your edits as quickly as possible and make sure all their questions are answered…