When you sign a contract, you essentially agree to relinquish some or all rights for an agreed-upon price and length of time. Copyright law can be squirrely, but in most instances new works are protected for your lifetime plus fifty years. A brief letter that accompanies a submission to an editor. For picture books, cover letters rarely need to exceed a few paragraphs. Usually refers to an unincorporated branch of a company.
Many publishing houses contain several divisions.
A dummy may or may not include actual sketches. Though many publishers don't provide guidelines for early readers, most such books are aimed at children ages 8-11. The books typically run about 64 pages when published and still feature generous use of illustration, often in black and white. A decision-making body within a publishing house that votes whether to move forward with a manuscript or to nix it. Editorial boards are typically composed of an acquisitions editor, sales director, marketing manager, publisher and finance individual, all of whom debate the various editorial qualities, marketing prospects and costs associated with a potential book.