Book publishing terms and definitions

A literary agent will often request two to three of these from an author to work into the literary agents pitch to publishers. Hopefully, our glossary will help you unravel some of the jargon used by book collectors and book sellers. Openaccess publishers thus do not fund their operations through subscriptions, as traditional publishers do. All rights other than book publishing rights included in a book publishing contract, such as paperback rights, book club rights, movie rights, and more. Toms glossary of book publishing terms right reading. This glossary is intended to help you understand book production, design and publishing terms. Language is power, and to that end we at the editorial department have come up with a glossary of commonlyused terms and abbreviations in the book publishing industry. A representation of your unique identity and image. In book publishing, comps generally stands for competitive or comparative titlesauthors. None of this is ever to merely compare an authors manuscript to similar works. If youre a writer interested in traditional publishing, youre going to need an agent. This can be a very intimidating front to a new writer. Advance the money a publisher pays an author to publish. A book in which a single argument is stated and developed.

To help you with the lingo, ive put together a glossary of terms. Chances are youve heard industry professionals use their insider. Book doctors cost more than developmental editors and less than ghostwriters. The cmyk color values for 100% black also known as. Desktop publishing book design, layout, and production completed on a personal computer by specific software. Most often seen in nonfiction like a biography or an academic. Fair a book in very worn condition, but all of its important parts and dust jacket if one was issued must be present. Publishers sometimes bid for the acquisition of a book manuscript that has. Also may be a trading center for the sale of books and rights and the making of publishing and copublishing arrangements. Also acts as a liaison between the author and designers. General book terms glossary below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to general book terms. A liferich publishing representative who acts as an authors point of contact during the production process from the time that all materials are received to the time the author approves publication of the book.

Heres a list of 100 common publishing terms and their definitions. No reason to reinvent the wheel dictionary of publishing terms makes it easy to see how the book pieces fit togetherthis information is long overdue. This book publishing glossary has been in the works for a while. Book publishing article about book publishing by the free. Blurb provides software and personal printondemand, self publishing services that allow its customers to create, design, layout, print and publish professional quality printed books and publications, including digital versions thereof, each referred to as a book as applicable in these terms and conditions and other user policies located in. A selfpublished book is also usually distributed and marketed by its author. Editorial boards are typically comprised of an acquisitions editor, as well as representatives from the sales, marketing, and finance departments. In this they seem to me to be like a blind man, who, in order to fight on equal terms with a person that sees, should have made him descend to the bottom of an intensely dark cave. Editors and agents throw terms around like blurb and synopsis and expect writers to know what these are and how to use them. Search jobs search internships publisher profiles publishing programs publishing organizations majordepartment guide commonly used terms publishing events is sponsored by the. Chances are youve heard industry professionals use their insider vernacular, and much of its been over your head. Enough copies of the book are sold so that the agreed royalties cover the amount of the publishers advance em. Desktop publishingbook design, layout, and production completed on a personal computer by specific software. Authorhouse helps writers become published authors with a presence in the market.

If the publishing company decides to publish the book, then they buy the rights for the book from the author and pay the author in advance for any further royalties. Publishing terms and definitions find your publisher. Below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to common book printing terms. To a firsttime author, few stages of the bookwriting process are as overwhelming as publishing and printing. Below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to common book design terms. Founded in 1997 by an aspiring author who recognized the need for a simple and effective selfpublishing process. Some of the terminology used in book collecting can be arcane, indeed. These ioba book condition definitions are used to describe both the book and the dust jacket, if applicable. Distributor a company that buys books from a publisher or other distributors and resells. Historically, it came to refer to the issuing of printed materials, such as books, magazines, periodicals, and the like. Big picture edits like structural changes within the book and within each chapter are called developmental or substantive edits.

Cranky says, bookbinding has its own unique terminology. There are many terms used in writing, and a novice to this world could well be. Fine f a book that has no defects in book or jacket, but not as crisp as it was when new. Book publishing glossary nathan bransford writing, book editing. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by two book anatomy illustrations, descriptions of the various book sizes, a guide to condition ratings, and the most common abbreviations used in the world of. The books interior will only be printed in black ink, with one color black on both sides of the page. Thus the word book may be replaced by dust jacket in the following definitions. Alkaline paper, free from chemicals that destroy paper.

Commonly used printing and publishing terms the writers for hire. A more complete guide to book sizes, book conditions and binding terms can be found through the aforementioned links. A glossary of general book terms selfpublishing services. Jennifer basye sander, new york times bestselling author and author of more than 70 books including the complete idiots guide to gettin. This book publishing glossary been in the works for a while. Advance the money a publisher pays an author to publish their book. The selfpublishing model circumvents the need for an author to contract with a publishing house to ensure publication of the book. This abbreviated glossary covers only the most commonly encountered terms.

List of all most popular abbreviated publishing terms defined. It lasts longer, but costs more and is generally used for library books. The glossary is a list of term definitions used throughout the book that might be unfamiliar to the reader. Traditional publishing in traditional publishing, an author submits a manuscript to a publishing house in hopes that they will pick it up and want to publish the book. Search the glossary of book terms to unravel the puzzling language you may have found in the description of your book. Befudddled by the terms that writers and publishers use. Publisher guidelines glossary of book publishing terms. So dont be the dummy who didnt know his face from the gutter, who turns out spineless and halfbound. Ioba book terminology independent online booksellers. Publishers are very picky about what they print and sell, and to make things even more. Glossary of publishing and editing terms paul dudenhefer. These terms will not only help you understand the process of book production, but will help you build success for your. Glossary of publishing terms book publishing company.

Founded in 1997 by an aspiring author who recognized the need for a simple and effective self publishing process, authorhouse has grown into the worlds largest selfpublisher, providing premier book publishing and marketing services to authors. This book publishing glossary compiled by a former literary agent and published author has all the terms you need to know from advance to wholesaler. These terms will not only help you understand the process of book production, but will help you build success for your book. These terms will not only help you navigate the process of book production, but will help you build success for your book. While creating a great book is a really tough thing to do, it is just as hard to get a book published. Book publishers who charge authors for the cost to typeset and print their books, the jacket, etc. The books interior will be printed in full color 4color cmyk, with ink on both sides of the page. The parts of a book and the elements of content the balance. Youll make decisions about everything from cover art to paper quality. As one who has written and had published nearly 200 books since the 1970s, let me try to help. Sep 29, 2008 while creating a great book is a really tough thing to do, it is just as hard to get a book published. The term publishing means, in the broadest sense, making something publicly known. A bound book that when opened by an editor will instantly expose an embarrassing mistake. Looking for help understanding commonly used book collecting terminology, or abbreviations and references used in book sellers descriptions.

First books sent to those who ordered, requested or were promised a book, generally before the book goes into distribution. Openaccess publishing allows readers to access content for free. Literary agent mark gottlieb explains seven common publishing industry terms new authors should. Glossary and definitions of publishing terms wheatmark. Modern trade publishing has replaced the use of dummies with materials such as advance reading copies and uncorrected proofs.

There may be exceptions to some of our definitions our main concern is to provide you with general concepts. This glossary is your guide to book production, design and publishing terms. A list of terms and definitions particular to the subject of the book. This is a quick, handy guide in no particular order to many of the terms that writers will come across during all stages of editing and publishing. Ill start with definitions so you know what youre actually choosing. A strong brand is built on the ability to build and maintain. A producer publishing in multiple media, usually complementary, but with the result that a customer will learn about a book on radio or a magazine on the web, and will then select the older format for. Our glossary was designed to help visitors to our website understand unfamiliar book related terms. Publishing definition of publishing by the free dictionary. Non periodic printed publication of at least 49 pages exclusive of the cover pages. Publishing terminology booklogix atlanta based book. An item that exists to be renegotiated and revised. Publishing terms and definitions whether youre a rookie writer or a veteran author, youll need to know the language of the business.

Jul 02, 2008 if you are not familiar with some of the common publishing terms, check out this glossary of publishing related words and phrases. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by two book. Browse the list of 900 publishing abbreviations with their meanings and definitions. If ioba booksellers do not use these guidelines they will prominently display their own definitions. Book publishing glossary nathan bransford writing, book. A producer publishing in multiple media, usually complementary, but with the result that a customer will learn about a book on radio or a magazine on the web, and will then select the older format for purchase or subscription. Distributor a company that buys books from a publisher or other distributors and resells them to retail accounts. Publishers are very picky about what they print and sell, and to make things even more difficult, the world of publishing is filled with their own set of terms and acronyms. Glossary usually found at the end of a book, a glossary holds significant terms from the text with their definitions. These terms will not only help you navigate the process of book production, but will help you build. Our glossary was designed to help visitors to our website understand unfamiliar bookrelated terms. Commonly used printing and publishing terms the writers for.

Below youll find a list of terms and their definitions commonly referred to in book marketing. Many selfpublished authors prefer ebooks because they are much less expensive to produce than traditional paper books. There may be exceptions to some of our definitions our main concern is to provide you with general concepts relative to commonly used book jargon. Publishing definition, the activities or business of a publisher, especially of books or periodicals. Build your book format a paperback manuscript word for windows. E book electronic book a book published in electronic form that can be downloaded to computers or handheld devices. As one who has written and had published nearly 200 books since the 1970s, let me try to help you decide. Legal kindle direct publishing terms and conditions. Whether youre a rookie writer or a veteran author, youll need to know the language of the business. The percentage paid to the book agent is increased to pay the subagent. Youll have to decide which printing option is right for you and your readers. A group at a publishing house that approves the acquisition of a book, that is, purchasing an authors work for publication.

Personal information and accomplishments of the author or illustrator. The text on the back cover or inside flap of a book that sells the story to potential readers. Glossary of publishing terms book publishing company, self. A more complete guide to book sizes, book conditions and binding terms can be found through the. Nonperiodic printed publication of at least 49 pages exclusive of the cover pages. The cmyk color values for 100% black also known as flat black are 0,0,0,100, which means it contains no colors other than black.