To create a design or to write copy without being paid but with the intent to garner a contract for a particular job
Editors will sometimes look at works "on speculation", meaning that they have some interest in the piece, but are under no obligation to buy
Work done without a contract, in the hope that one will be forthcoming: "on speculation "
Calling or shooting something on pure speculation, without any guarantee "We're heading to the neighborhood on spec "
Short for "on speculation " This refers to a manuscript written for an editor who has expressed interested in an idea or story, but who is unwilling to buy the piece sight-unseen The editor doesn't promise to buy your manuscript, but does promise to give it a fair reading
means the writer was not officially assigned the work by an editor The editor is not obligated to publish the piece