Last updated: January 2026
In this article: Hed, Dek & Lede | Slug | FOB & BOB | The Well | Slush Pile | On Spec | Over the Transom | Kill Fee | Clips | Closing Date | FAQs
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When in doubt, ask. Unfortunately, many new freelance writers don’t follow that advice for fear of appearing inexperienced. Instead, they assume that when an editor says a spring cleaning idea is too “evergreen,” she means it’s too environmentally focused—when the term actually refers to stories that are general and not timely.
That’s just one of the many terms you might hear in a newsroom or see in an email from an editor. Below are 10 essential journalism terms every freelance writer should know before pitching.
1. Hed, Dek, and Lede
These three terms are used constantly in journalism and publishing:
- Hed — The headline of an article
- Dek — The sub-headline that appears below the main headline
- Lede — The introductory paragraph(s) of an article
All three are intentionally misspelled so editors don’t confuse them with the actual story text when marking up drafts.
Michael Sullivan, a freelance journalist in Los Angeles, says he often has to write multiple headlines for the same piece. “I feel like I have to title every story I write, like, three different times,” Sullivan says—one for print, one for web, and one for email alerts.
When pitching, make your lede as compelling as possible and try to include a strong hed and dek. You can even use the headline and dek as your email subject line to catch an editor’s attention. For example, introduce a feature about hair loss as: “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: 7 Steps to Fight Alopecia Before It Starts.”
Even if your titles aren’t used in the final product, writing them demonstrates that you’re willing to go beyond what’s requested—which can increase your chances of landing future assignments.
2. Slug
A slug in journalism is a word or combination of words and numbers used in a publication’s content management system to identify a story.
In a newsroom, every component of a story—whether a two-inch blurb or a 30-inch feature—is assigned a slug so editors can quickly identify pieces as they manage a large influx of content.
As a freelancer, you probably won’t need to create slugs yourself. If you do, check the internal story roster or ask an editor about the publication’s format.
3. FOB and BOB
FOB (front-of-book) and BOB (back-of-book) refer to news items and shorter articles located at the beginning and end of a print magazine.
“For me, the front of book and the back of book seem kind of interchangeable as far as what runs in them,” says Renee Roberson, blog tour manager at WOW! Women on Writing.
FOB and BOB pieces are excellent opportunities for new writers to break in. Magazines rarely assign features to unproven writers, but these shorter sections are often more accessible.
“[Front of book] is one of the few places I might assign a story if I haven’t worked with you before,” explains Abigail Lewis, editor of Whole Life Times. “However, occasionally, if a writer has strong clips and a well-crafted query, we will assign a department or feature.”
Every publication’s FOB and BOB sections are different—New York magazine’s FOB is called “Strategist” and features party roundups and brief Q&As, while its BOB includes reviews and the “Approval Matrix.” Study several issues before pitching.
4. The Well
The well is the middle section of a magazine where you’ll find longer, more in-depth feature articles.
“That’s where all the feature stories are—typically the stories that are put on the cover, the profiles,” notes Roberson.
Want to get in the well? Start by writing smaller pieces in the FOB or BOB sections before pitching feature-length articles. If you’re eager to go in-depth, pitch features to trade or regional publications before targeting national magazines—smaller outlets are much more likely to take a chance on new writers.
5. Slush Pile
The slush pile refers to the mass of articles or query letters that have been rejected—whether physically discarded, set aside, or deleted from an inbox.
The key to keeping your pitches out of the slush pile is targeting the right editor. Mediabistro’s How To Pitch section details which editors at leading publications are open to pitches.
“I have actually Googled some of the editors’ names and have actually found articles where they talked about how to stay out of the slush pile,” Roberson says.
Another tip: Flesh out your query to make it distinctive. Start with a crisp lead sentence and a hook, then outline sections of the article, including data or quotes. “You have to sort of take some time and put a different spin on it,” Roberson advises.
6. On Spec
When you write on spec (short for “on speculation”), you do so without a guarantee of publication. Editors typically request on-spec pieces to see the finished story before agreeing to pay for it.
Writing on spec might make sense if you know an editor and believe you have a strong chance of approval. If you write well and cultivate relationships, editors will want to work with you on an ongoing basis—which may make spec work worthwhile, says Long Island journalist Ellen Pober Rittberg.
However, the practice is risky and time-consuming. Consider pitching another outlet for your idea before investing time in something that may never be published.
7. Over the Transom
An over the transom submission is an unsolicited piece that an editor did not request—you simply send it hoping it will be published.
This strategy is risky. Publications have strict guidelines about what they accept, and submitting work regardless of their rules may suggest you can’t follow directions. You’re also spending time on a story you may never be paid for.
Before proceeding, read the publication’s guidelines to see if they accept unsolicited submissions.
8. Kill Fee
A kill fee is a payment made when an assigned article is cancelled (“killed”) before publication. This can happen if news breaks, another article runs long, or editors decide the story feels dated.
Kill fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the original article fee, as stated in your contract. However, some publications may shelve your article without paying anything.
If you don’t see a kill fee mentioned in your contract, request one before you begin writing to protect yourself.
9. Clips
Clips are published articles from your portfolio of work. The goal is to build a collection that showcases your talent, the diversity (or specialty) of your writing, and evidence that publications have trusted you with assignments.
Chicago-based writer Alicia Eler recommends sending three clips from different publications when requested. “Show that you can vary your voice and perspective depending on the potential audience,” she explains.
As you acquire more clips, update your portfolio regularly—it should evolve as you expand your reach to more prominent publications.
Looking for freelance writing opportunities to build your clips? Browse media jobs on Mediabistro.
10. Closing Date
The closing date (or “close”) is when a publication is being finalized for print. This is typically a hectic time in the newsroom, with last-minute edits happening everywhere.
This is the worst time to pitch or expect a response to anything that isn’t urgent. Do yourself a favor and do not contact your editor during closing. You can find a publication’s closing dates in its media kit.
FAQs About Journalism Terms
What does “hed” mean in journalism?
Hed is journalism slang for “headline.” It’s intentionally misspelled so editors don’t confuse it with the actual story text when marking up drafts or giving feedback.
What is a dek in journalism?
A dek (also spelled “deck”) is the sub-headline that appears below the main headline. Like “hed,” it’s deliberately misspelled to distinguish it from story text. The dek typically expands on the headline and gives readers more context about the article.
What is a lede?
A lede is the opening paragraph or paragraphs of a news article. It’s spelled this way to avoid confusion with “lead” (as in leading a story or a lead role). A strong lede hooks readers and establishes the most important information.
What is a slug in journalism?
A slug is a short identifier (word or phrase) assigned to a story in a publication’s content management system. It helps editors quickly identify and organize stories. For example, a story about city budget cuts might have the slug “BUDGET-CUTS-2026.”
What does “on spec” mean?
“On spec” (short for “on speculation”) means writing an article without a guarantee of publication or payment. Editors may request spec work to evaluate a writer’s abilities before committing to an assignment.
What is a kill fee?
A kill fee is partial compensation paid to a writer when an assigned article is cancelled before publication. Kill fees are typically 20-50% of the original assignment rate and should be specified in your contract.
What does FOB mean in publishing?
FOB stands for “front-of-book,” referring to the shorter articles and news items that appear in the first section of a magazine. These are often good opportunities for new writers to break into a publication.
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