Some publishers include the prior list in their definition of frontlist. The glossary below is the most recent version as of september 10, 2019. Youll find centuriesold publishing lingo, 21st century jargon, and dozens of other terms in the independent book publishers associations ibpas the language of publishing. Also acts as a liaison between the author and designers. If you are not familiar with some of the common publishing terms, check out this glossary of publishingrelated words and phrases. Glossary of publishing terms book publishing company. As collections management throughout the usgs expands, this list of terms will grow and. The first pressrun copies of a new book or magazine sent to the. Authors advance payment or payments made by a publisher to an author before sales of the book have properly earned the author any income.
Book publishing glossary nathan bransford writing, book. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by. This book publishing glossary been in the works for a while. What is a glossary in a book how to write a glossary for. Looking for help understanding commonly used book collecting terminology, or abbreviations and references used in book sellers descriptions. Learn about common it terms, technical jargon and information technology definitions in our comprehensive glossary. 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. This helpful guidebook is designed to help you effectively do business in the book world. A glossary, also known as a vocabulary or clavis, is an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms. Please let me know if i missed anything in the comments section and ill add it. The complete production of assembling a book, printing, binding and packing. While we try to explain them as we go, we often drop common publishing terms on this site in various posts and articles. Distributor a company that buys books from a publisher or other distributors and resells them to retail accounts.
If a book includes rare, unfamiliar, specialized, or made up words or terms, the glossary serves as a dictionary for the reader to reference throughout their reading of the book. Traditionally, a glossary appears at the end of a book and includes terms within that book that are either newly introduced, uncommon, or specialized. Book publishing glossary nathan bransford writing, book editing. 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. Some of the terminology used in book collecting can be arcane, indeed. Desktop publishingbook design, layout, and production completed. A book in which a single argument is stated and developed. There are many terms used in writing, and a novice to this world. The definition of glossary is a list of words and their meanings. Below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to common book printing terms.
A list of terms and definitions particular to the subject of the book. Authorhouse helps writers become published authors with a presence in the market. Openaccess publishing allows readers to access content for free. Heres a list of 100 common publishing terms and their definitions, including the meanings of arc, high concept, simultaneous submissions, and so much more. First books sent to those who ordered, requested or were promised a book, generally before the book. Glossary and definitions of publishing terms wheatmark. Befudddled by the terms that writers and publishers use. A common vocabulary with clear definitions promotes effective communication. The worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go quite right. Fair a book in very worn condition, but all of its important parts and dust jacket if one was issued must be present. These terms will not only help you understand the process of book production, but will help you build. A more complete guide to book sizes, book conditions and binding terms can be found through the aforementioned links.
E book electronic book a book published in electronic form that can be downloaded to computers or handheld devices. System of book production in which the author generally assumes the financial risk of publication. Use this list of terms and definitions to translate the language of publishers, printers, and editors. 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. Below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to common ebook terms. This book publishing glossary has been in the works for a while.
There may be exceptions to some of our definitions our main concern is to provide you with general. This glossary is your guide to book production, design and publishing terms. The selfpublishing model circumvents the need for an author to contract with a publishing house to ensure publication of the book. This glossary is intended to define terms commonly encountered during editing and publishing as well as those editing and publishing as well as those industry terms that also have a more. The books interior will only be printed in black ink, with one color black on both sides of the. A payment received when a book contract is signed, in advance of. The portion of an authors royalties paid out in advance of revenues collected from book sales. Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively, the joining of leafs or signatures together with. As collections management throughout the usgs expands, this list of terms will grow and definitions may change. Whether youre a rookie writer or a veteran author, youll need to know the language of the business. A glossary of publishing terms that are important for independently published selfpublished authors to understand. Alkaline paper, free from chemicals that destroy paper.
Founded in 1997 by an aspiring author who recognized the need for a simple and effective selfpublishing. Try our exhaustive glossary of publishing and design terms, definitions, and jargon. Publishing terms and definitions find your publisher. Publisher guidelines glossary of book publishing terms. Fine f a book that has no defects in book or jacket, but not as crisp as it was when new. Enough copies of the book are sold so that the agreed royalties cover the amount of the publishers advance em. These terms will not only help you understand the process of book production, but will help you build success for your book. Glossary usually found at the end of a book, a glossary holds significant terms from the text with their definitions. The terms listed below are some common ones youll encounter in publishing. Manuscripts sent by an author or agent to a publisher for. Book printing glossary below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to common book printing terms. Glossary definition of glossary by the free dictionary.
There are probably as many definitions for book as there are books out there. This abbreviated glossary covers only the most commonly encountered terms. Ioba book terminology independent online booksellers. 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 navigate the process of book production, but will help you build success for your book. Dec 08, 2017 if a book includes rare, unfamiliar, specialized, or made up words or terms, the glossary serves as a dictionary for the reader to reference throughout their reading of the book. Terminology is key to knowing the layout design industry and dealing with the different online and offline publishing functions involved, like print and webdev. Here is a selection of writing terms and definitions that you are bound to run into sooner or later. There are many terms used in writing, and a novice to this world could well be confused. Glossary of www technical terms if you cant find it here, check the acronyms or glossary of technical terms dictionaries are like watches.
Chances are youve heard industry professionals use their. The books interior will only be printed in black ink, with one color black on both sides of the page. Here is a list of common self publishing terms, and their definitions, in alphabetical order. Sep 10, 2019 a common vocabulary with clear definitions promotes effective communication.
A bound book that when opened by an editor will instantly expose an embarrassing mistake. 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. Jul 09, 2019 or a notsonewbie whos still learning the language. The answers to these questions will become clear within this self publishing glossary of terms. Herewith a handy glossary of terms used in publishing and in the wider writing community. Desktop publishing book design, layout, and production completed on a personal computer by specific software. 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. Looking for a magazine design or publishing term, but cant find it. Second, another term for vanity publishing, in which a book is produced with little or no regard to the merit of.
The advance may be the entire sum an author will receive for the book, which makes it work for hire, or, more commonly, the money may be an advance on royalties. Usually sewn and glued, hardcover books are then bound with cardboard covers that are reinforced with a stiff cloth before being covered with a paper dust jacket. A glossary of book printing terms selfpublishing services. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This glossary is intended to help you understand book production, design and publishing terms. Abebooks glossary of book terms our glossary was designed to help visitors to our website understand unfamiliar bookrelated terms. An atoz glossary of book publishing terms kindle edition by ibpa, independent book publishers association. Hopefully, our glossary will help you unravel some of the jargon used by book collectors and book sellers. It terms glossary information technology definitions. Use this list of terms and definitions to translate the language of publishers. Advance the money a publisher pays an author to publish their book. When downloaded data is temporarily stored on your computer or mobile device, it speeds up retrieval the next time you want the same data e. Book doctors cost more than developmental editors and less than ghostwriters. Chances are youve heard industry professionals use their insider vernacular, and much of its been over your head.
These terms will not only help you navigate the process of book production. Opinionated glossary of publishing industry terms 5. Publishing terms like other professions, a particular jargon has come to be used in publishing. Keep in mind that some terms may differ slightly in their meaning depending on where you live. Book club rights the rights purchased by a book club allowing it to offer a. Search the glossary of book terms to unravel the puzzling language you may have found in the description of your book.
Big picture edits like structural changes within the book and within each chapter are called developmental or substantive edits. An item that exists to be renegotiated and revised. An illustration appearing before the first pages of a book. 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. Self publishing glossary of terms penning and planning. Glossary of publishing and editing terms paul dudenhefer. A term used to describe the orientation of a book, where the book is wider than it is tall e. May, 2015 befudddled by the terms that writers and publishers use. Please see the updates section for more information on any revisions. Publishing terminology booklogix atlanta based book. 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. Abebooks glossary of book terms our glossary was designed to help visitors to our website understand unfamiliar book related terms.