Dictionary submission format - anybody know how to do it?

Ravenlocks · Jan 4, 2008

I'm trying to find submission guidelines on the websites of dictionary publishers, but so far I haven't found what I need. Is there a standard manuscript submission format for a dictionary? Anybody know?

Tish Davidson · Jan 4, 2008

I didn't even know that dictionaries used freelancers. I thought they were done in house.

Deleted member 42 · Jan 4, 2008

That's not how it works, unfortunately, for the main dictionaries. Yes, they do take subs, but mostly, for actual entry compilation, it's a matter of, well, being a professional--and you aren't paid. You can suggest words for the OED; there's a form on the Web site.

Ravenlocks · Jan 4, 2008

Hmm. Do you think it's any different for a foreign-language dictionary for a niche market? I compiled the dictionary myself for my own use while I was working as a translator, but I was hoping I could get it out there as well.

Sorry for being ignorant, but they do say there are no stupid questions, and I honestly have no idea how dictionaries work (er, except how to look stuff up in one).

Thanks for helping!

Deleted member 42 · Jan 4, 2008

Ravenlocks said:
Hmm. Do you think it's any different for a foreign-language dictionary for a niche market? I compiled the dictionary myself for my own use while I was working as a translator, but I was hoping I could get it out there as well.

Unless it's very much specialized, like jargon used in a particular occupation, or slang, or regional expressions . . . you don't really have a chance.

They're made by an editorial group/committee that revises the entries and parts of entries written by linguists/scholars, or grad students working for linguists/scholars.

K1P1 · Jan 5, 2008

This is a slightly different situation, since it's not a language dictionary, but my husband was paid per entry for his contributions to the Dictionary of National Biography.

girlyswot · Jan 5, 2008

I have a contract to write certain entries for a forthcoming dictionary. The style guide came with the first letter inviting me to be part of the project.

(Well, actually I don't because they made a number of errors in my personal details, but the corrected one is on the way.)

Billingsgate · Jan 6, 2008

I strongly disagree that there is no possibility for an individually compiled dictionary to be published. Is it an Asian language related dictionary (guessing from the signature about K-Town)? If so, there are several publishers of Asian language related books, including Tuttle (now Periplus) in Vermont and Berkeley, and several based in Asian countries, including LinguaForm in Seoul. I'd do a little more research and make some enquiries.

Georganna Hancock · Jan 7, 2008

Absolutely pursue finding a publisher, if not an agent. Learn to write a persuasive query letter to sell your work to someone. I doubt if this is something that you can send O.T. (over the transom or unsolicited), so don't worry about formatting. Once you sell the idea, you'll find out how to prepare the manuscript.

Good on you!

Ravenlocks · Jan 8, 2008

Thanks, everybody.

Billingsgate, it's actually Russian-language (that was before I got into Korean). I'm thinking I'll contact an old professor and see if she has any ins, and if not I'll start querying publishers. I've done some research and found several who publish this sort of thing.

I guess I'll just cross my fingers and hope there's a market for it. Waiting for them to tell me how to format it will definitely work for me.

Billingsgate · Jan 8, 2008

Well, how specialized is it? For example, I have a dictionary of Russian swear words, translated into German, published by Germany's #1 dictionary publisher, Langensheidt. An English book of Russian epithets was published by an American university press. The point is, even respectable publishers will release specialist dictionaries if they perceive a niche market for them. Doesn't have to be written by scholarly committees.

(You can tell my interest; I have numerous dictionaries of swear words and racial epithets: makes for great party smalltalk. My favorite Albanian curse: "T'i piftë sorra mendtë!", which means “May the magpie drink from your brains!”).

Ravenlocks · Jan 10, 2008

It's a dictionary of word meanings that don't occur in standard dictionaries. Some are slangy, some are cultural references that other dictionaries ignore, some are just meanings and shades of meaning that I know from using the language but can't find written down anywhere else.

talkwrite · Feb 4, 2008

Medievalist said:
Unless it's very much specialized, like jargon used in a particular occupation, or slang, or regional expressions . . . you don't really have a chance.

They're made by an editorial group/committee that revises the entries and parts of entries written by linguists/scholars, or grad students working for linguists/scholars.

Sorry Medievalist,the above is no longer true.
These dictionaries are compiled now by those of us who work in the field as translators because we are garnering the terms on a daily basis as opposed to linguists and scholars. These dictionaries are in great demand by professional translators, agencies and universities with translation degree programs. Try looking at St. Jerome's Press, Routledge and the imprints at Collins and McGraw Hill. Also go to the website for the American Translators Association for their publishing company sponsors. My publisher Multilingual Matters, does not publish dictionaries but the links page on their website ( in my signature) is loads of help. Good luck!

Ravenlocks · Feb 4, 2008

talkwrite said:
Sorry Medievalist,the above is no longer true.
These dictionaries are compiled now by those of us who work in the field as translators because we are garnering the terms on a daily basis as opposed to linguists and scholars. These dictionaries are in great demand by professional translators, agencies and universities with translation degree programs. Try looking at St. Jerome's Press, Routledge and the imprints at Collins and McGraw Hill. Also go to the website for the American Translators Association for their publishing company sponsors. My publisher Multilingual Matters, does not publish dictionaries but the links page on their website ( in my signature) is loads of help. Good luck!

Awesome, thanks!

Dictionary submission format - anybody know how to do it?

Ravenlocks

How novel.

Tish Davidson

Deleted member 42

Ravenlocks

How novel.

Deleted member 42

K1P1

Procrastination is its own reward

girlyswot

Billingsgate

Disappointment to my mother

Georganna Hancock

she's back!

Ravenlocks

How novel.

Billingsgate

Disappointment to my mother

Ravenlocks

How novel.

talkwrite

Passion in full bloom

Ravenlocks

How novel.