A stack of unsolicited manuscripts that have arrived at an editor or publisher's office. These manuscripts will usually be read - unless the editor or publisher specifically states they will not read unsolicited works - but with less speed, interest, or enthusiasm than works submitted on spec or other request.
Stacks of manuscripts that are received by editors and publishing houses, but not specifically requested. Manuscripts in the slush pile inevitably are read only after material that an editor has sought or received by an agent. Over the years, more and more publishers have elected not to accept unsolicited manuscripts at all. Others, (typically smaller publishing houses) still keep up with slush piles, hoping to find new talent.
Manuscript submissions that are received by publishing houses, but are unsolicited or do not come through agents. Some publishers do not consider unsolicited manuscripts, while others do review them.
Unsolicited manuscripts a publishing house receives.
Common term for unsolicited manuscripts received by a publisher or editor.
The pile of unsolicited manuscripts at a publishing house.
The term used to describe the stack of unsolicited articles--articles that were not requested by an editor. Articles in the slush pile are usually read by an editorial assistant.
The unsolicited manuscripts that a publisher receives from writers who aren't represented by agents.
unsolicited manuscripts sent to editors.
The morass of unsolicited manuscripts at a publishing house or literary agency, which may fester indefinitely awaiting (perhaps perfunctory) review. Some publishers or agencies do not maintain slush piles per se - unsolicited manuscripts are slated for instant or eventual return without review (if a SASE is included) or may otherwise be literally or figuratively pitched to the wind. Querying a targeted publisher or agent before submitting a manuscript is an excellent way of avoiding, or at least minimizing the possibility of, such an ignoble fate.
The pile of unsolicited manuscripts and query letters accumulated by a publisher.
In publishing, the slush pile is the unending pile of unsolicited manuscripts either sent directly to the publisher by optimistic authors, or sent through an agent not known to the publisher.