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Self-publishing a book can be a confusing process. There are likely dozens of terms you’ve never heard before! When you publish the traditional way through a publishing house, they look after a lot of the steps of publishing a book for you, but when you’re self-publishing, you are responsible for coordinating every single step. It’s up to you to hire the various people you need to help you get the book ready for publishing. It’s up to you to market the book to make sure it sells well. All of that can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t understand what a lot of the common self-publishing terms mean.
Here is a self-publishing glossary that breaks down all the terms authors need to know.
Acknowledgments: A section of a book where the author expresses gratitude to individuals or organizations who contributed to the creation of the book. Also spelled acknowledgements in British English.
Adobe InDesign: A desktop publishing software used by authors and designers to create professional layouts for print and digital publications.
Advance Print Run: The initial batch of printed copies of a book produced before its official release date.
Advance Reader Copies (ARCs): Pre-publication copies of a book sent to reviewers, bloggers, and influencers for early reviews and promotion.
Afterword: A concluding section of a book, usually written by the author, providing additional information, reflections, or commentary on the book’s content.
Alpha Reader: A trusted reader who provides feedback on a manuscript during its early stages of development.
Amazon: The largest online retailer in the world, offering various services for authors including Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Amazon Marketing Services (AMS).
Amazon Marketing Services (AMS): Advertising services provided by Amazon to help authors promote their books to potential readers on the platform.
Appendix: Supplementary material at the end of a book that provides additional information or documentation related to the main text.
Assisted Self-Publishing: A publishing model where authors receive assistance with various aspects of the publishing process, such as editing, design, and distribution, but retain control over their work.
Audible: An audiobook platform owned by Amazon, offering a wide selection of audiobooks for purchase and subscription.
Audiobook: A recording of a book being read aloud, typically available in digital formats for listening on various devices.
Author Bio: A brief biography of the author, often included in the back matter of the book or on the author’s website, to provide readers with information about the author’s background and writing experience.
Author Branding: The consistent image and message the author projects to readers, often encompassing their writing style, genre, and values.
Author Central: Amazon’s platform for authors to manage and promote their books on Amazon.
Author Newsletter: A regular email communication sent to subscribers interested in the author’s work, updates, and promotions.
Author Platform: The author’s online presence, including a website, social media profiles, and email lists, used to connect with readers and promote their work.
Authorpreneur: A term used to describe authors who not only write but also take on the role of an entrepreneur in managing and promoting their books.
Back Matter: The concluding section of a book, which may include an author biography, acknowledgments, and additional books by the author.
Related Content: What to Include in the Back Matter of a Book
Back-of-the-Room Sales: Sales of books that occur at events such as book signings or speaking engagements, where the author sells copies directly to attendees.
Barcode: A unique machine-readable code consisting of parallel bars and spaces printed on products, including books, to facilitate inventory management and sales tracking. In order to be sold in bookstores, printed books need to have a barcode.
Beta Reader: An early reader who provides feedback on a manuscript before publication, typically focusing on plot, characters, and overall enjoyment. Beta readers may offer this service for free or those with more experience may charge for it.
Beta Reading: The process of having early readers review and provide feedback on your manuscript before publication.
BISAC: Book Industry Standards and Communications, a system used to categorize books by subject matter for the purpose of marketing and distribution.
BISAC Codes: Codes assigned to books based on their subject matter, used for categorization and classification in the publishing industry.
Blurb: A short, compelling description of the book that appears on the back cover or in online listings.
BookBaby: A self-publishing platform that offers a range of services to authors, including editing, design, distribution, and marketing.
Book Fair: An event where publishers, authors, and booksellers showcase and sell books to the public, often featuring author signings, panel discussions, and other activities.
Book Tour: A series of author appearances and events held in various locations to promote a new book, including book signings, readings, and interviews.
Book Trailer: A video promotion for a book, often resembling a movie trailer and used for online marketing.
Bowker: A provider of bibliographic information services, including the assignment of ISBNs to books published in the United States.
Calibre: An open-source e-book management tool used by authors and publishers to organize, convert, and transfer e-books between different formats and devices.
Chapbook: A small booklet or pamphlet containing poems, stories, or essays, often self-published or published by small presses.
Colophon: A statement at the end of a book providing information about the book’s production, including the publisher, printer, and typeface used. It can also refer to the publisher’s logo.
Content Editing: The process of reviewing and revising the content of a manuscript for clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in conveying the author’s intended message. See developmental editing, structural editing.
Content Marketing: A marketing strategy that involves creating and sharing valuable content, such as blog posts, articles, and videos, to attract and engage a target audience.
Copyediting: The process of reviewing and improving the manuscript for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall clarity.
Copyeditor: A professional who reviews and improves a manuscript for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and overall clarity, ensuring consistency and correctness in the text.
Related Content: Tips for Working with a Copyeditor: Navigating the Copyediting Process
Copyright: Legal protection for an author’s original work, preventing others from using it without permission.
Copyright Page: A page in the front matter of a book that includes copyright information, publisher details, and ISBN.
Related Content: What to Include on a Book Copyright Page
Cover Design: The design of the book’s front and back cover, which includes the title, author’s name, and artwork or images.
Creative Commons: A licensing framework that allows creators to share their work with certain permissions and restrictions, promoting collaboration and reuse while protecting copyright.
Critique Partner: A fellow writer who provides constructive feedback on a manuscript, typically focusing on elements such as plot, characterization, and writing style.
Crowdfunding: A fundraising method that involves raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, often used by authors to finance the publication of their books.
Dedication: A brief message or statement of appreciation, often found in the front matter of a book, expressing the author’s gratitude or dedication to someone.
Developmental Editing: A thorough editing process that focuses on the structure, content, and overall flow of a manuscript. See content editing, structural editing.
Developmental Editor: An editor who focuses on the structure, content, and overall flow of a manuscript, working closely with the author to develop and refine the story, characters, and themes.
Digital Rights Management (DRM): Technology used to protect e-books from piracy and unauthorized distribution.
Distribution: The process of making a book available for sale through various online and offline channels.
Distribution Channels: The various outlets and platforms where a book is made available, such as online retailers, brick-and-mortar bookstores, and libraries.
Draft2Digital: A self-publishing platform that helps authors format, publish, and distribute their books to various retailers and libraries.
Dust Jacket: A removable paper cover wrapped around a hardcover book, often featuring artwork, blurbs, and other promotional information.
E-book: A digital version of a book that can be read on e-readers, tablets, or other electronic devices.
Endorsements: Recommendations or praise from well-known individuals or organizations, often featured on book covers or promotional materials to enhance credibility and appeal.
Epilogue: A concluding section of a book, often used to provide closure or to reveal the fates of characters after the main events of the story.
Related Content: What Are the Parts of a Book?
EPUB: A digital file format for e-books, designed for reflowable content and compatible with a wide range of e-reading devices and software.
Fair Use: A legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder for purposes such as criticism, commentary, or education.
Footnotes: Additional information or citations provided at the bottom of a page in a book, typically marked by superscript numbers or symbols in the main text.
Foreword: An introductory section of a book, often written by someone other than the author, providing context, background, or praise for the book.
Formatting: The process of preparing a manuscript for publication, including layout, font selection, and paragraph styling.
Frontispiece: An illustration or image often located on the verso (left-hand page) facing the title page of a book.
Front Matter: The introductory section of a book that includes elements like the title page, dedication, and table of contents.
Related Content: What to Include in the Front Matter of a Book
Galley: A preliminary version of a book, typically consisting of uncorrected proofs or typeset pages, used for review and editing before final publication.
Genre: The category or style in which a book is classified, such as romance, science fiction, mystery, or fantasy.
Ghostwriter: A writer hired to write a book on behalf of another person, often used when an author doesn’t have the time or writing skills to complete a project.
Related Content: 10 Best Types of Writing Jobs for People Who Want a Career in Writing
Glossary: An alphabetical list of terms and their definitions, often found in the back matter of a book to help readers understand specialized vocabulary.
Goodreads: A social cataloging website for book lovers, allowing users to review, recommend, and discover books, as well as connect with authors and fellow readers.
Graphic Novel: A book-length work of fiction or nonfiction presented in the format of a comic book, featuring sequential art and often targeting adult or young adult audiences.
Hardcover: A book with a durable, rigid cover made of cardboard or similar material, typically more expensive than paperback editions and considered higher quality. Also called hardback.
Headshot: A photograph of the author’s head and shoulders, often used for promotional purposes such as book covers, author bios, and social media profiles.
Hybrid Author: An author who has published books through both traditional publishing houses and self-publishing platforms.
Hybrid Publishing: A publishing model that combines elements of traditional and self-publishing, offering a range of services to authors.
Imprint: A subsidiary or specialized division of a publishing house, often focused on specific genres, topics, or target markets.
Index: An alphabetical list of topics, names, or subjects mentioned in a book, along with the page numbers where they can be found, facilitating navigation and reference.
Indie Author: An author who independently publishes their books, often using self-publishing platforms and retaining full creative and financial control over their work.
Indie Bookseller: An independent bookstore that is not part of a larger chain or corporation, often specializing in niche or curated selections and supporting local authors.
IngramSpark: A self-publishing platform that offers distribution to bookstores and libraries.
International Standard Book Number (ISBN): A unique numeric identifier for books, which is used for cataloging and tracking purposes.
ISBN Prefix: The portion of the ISBN that identifies a specific publisher or self-publishing imprint.
KDP Select: A program offered by Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform that provides benefits such as increased visibility and promotional opportunities in exchange for exclusivity.
Kidlit: Literature targeted at children and young adult readers, including picture books, middle-grade novels, and young adult fiction.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Amazon’s self-publishing platform for e-books and print books.
Kindle Unlimited: A subscription service offered by Amazon that allows readers unlimited access to a selection of e-books and audiobooks for a monthly fee.
Launch Party: An event held to celebrate the release of a new book, often featuring author readings, book signings, and other activities to engage readers and promote sales.
Launch Plan: A strategy for introducing your book to the market, including pre-release marketing, launch events, and post-release promotions.
Launch Team: A group of supporters recruited by an author to help promote and spread the word about a new book before and after its release.
Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN): A unique identification number assigned to books and other materials cataloged by the Library of Congress, used for library and bibliographic purposes.
Line Editing: A detailed editing process that focuses on sentence-level improvements, including grammar, style, and clarity.
Line Editor: An editor who provides detailed editing at the sentence and paragraph level, focusing on the writing style, language, and clarity, enhancing the readability and effectiveness of the prose.
Related Content: What Are the Four Different Types of Editing?
List Price: The retail price set by the publisher or author for a book, often printed on the book’s cover or displayed on online listings.
Literary Agent: A professional who represents authors and their works to traditional publishers, negotiating contracts and licensing rights on their behalf in exchange for a commission on sales.
Manuscript: The original, unpublished draft of a book or other written work that an author submits for editing, review, and eventual publication. It includes the complete text, and may also include illustrations, footnotes, and any other content intended for the final version.
Manuscript Critique: A professional evaluation of your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, usually conducted by an editor or writing coach.
Manuscript Submission: The process of sending your manuscript to literary agents or publishers for consideration if you are pursuing traditional publishing instead of self-publishing.
Marketing: Strategies and efforts to promote your book, including advertising, social media, and author events.
Mass-Market Paperback: A smaller-sized paperback book intended for mass-market distribution, often featuring lower production costs and a lower retail price than trade paperbacks.
Media Kit: A collection of promotional materials and information about an author and their book, including press releases, author bios, photos, and sample chapters, used for marketing and publicity purposes.
Memoir: A nonfiction genre that focuses on personal experiences, memories, and reflections, often written by individuals to share their life stories with readers.
Metadata: Information about your book, such as title, author, description, and keywords, used by retailers and search engines to help readers discover it.
Metadata Optimization: The process of fine-tuning your book’s metadata, such as title, description, and keywords, to improve its discoverability in online searches.
NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month, an annual event held in November where participants challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.
NetGalley: A platform that provides digital galleys of books to reviewers, librarians, booksellers, and media professionals for promotional purposes.
Niche: A specialized or narrow segment of the market, often characterized by specific interests, demographics, or preferences.
Nielsen ISBN Agency: A company that provides ISBNs for books published in the UK and Ireland.
Nom de Plume: A pen name or pseudonym used by an author to publish their work anonymously or under a different identity.
Novel: A fictional prose narrative of book length, typically featuring complex characters, a plot with conflicts and resolutions, and thematic exploration.
Novella: A shorter work of fiction than a novel but longer than a short story, often characterized by its length and narrative structure.
Paperback: A book with a flexible, paper-based cover, typically less expensive than hardcover editions and considered more affordable and portable.
Pen Name (Pseudonym): An alternative name used by an author for anonymity, genre-switching, or branding purposes.
Permissions: Legal authorization obtained from copyright holders to use copyrighted material in a book, such as excerpts from other works, images, or lyrics.
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Platform Building: The ongoing efforts an author makes to grow their online presence and connect with their target audience, often through blogging, social media, and engagement.
Plot: The sequence of events and actions that make up the storyline of a book, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Preface: An introductory section of a book, often written by the author, providing background information, context, or insights into the book’s creation.
Prelims: The preliminary pages of a book that precede the main text, including the title page, copyright page, dedication, table of contents, and acknowledgments.
Press Release: A written communication distributed to the media to announce news, events, or promotions related to a book or author, often used for publicity and marketing purposes.
Print Proof: A physical copy of the book used to review and ensure the quality of the printed edition before it goes into production.
Print-on-Demand (POD): A publishing model where books are printed as they are ordered, reducing the need for large print runs and warehousing.
Print Run: The number of physical copies of a book printed in a single batch.
Proofreader: A professional who performs the final review of a manuscript to catch any remaining errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting before publication.
Proofreading: A final review of the manuscript to catch any remaining errors or typos.
Publication Date: The date on which a book is officially released and made available to the public for purchase, often printed on the book’s copyright page.
Public Domain: Works that are not protected by copyright and can be freely used and adapted by others.
Publicist: A professional hired by authors or publishers to generate publicity and media coverage for a book, including press releases, interviews, and promotional events.
Publishing House: A company that publishes books and other printed materials, often providing editorial, design, production, marketing, and distribution services to authors.
Query Letter: A formal letter sent by an author to literary agents or traditional publishers to introduce themselves and their work, seeking representation or publication.
QR Code: A type of matrix barcode that contains information and can be scanned using a smartphone or other devices, often used for marketing and promotional purposes.
Reader Reviews: Reviews and ratings of your book posted by readers on websites like Amazon, Goodreads, or personal blogs.
Recommended Retail Price (RRP): The price suggested by the publisher or author for the sale of a book to consumers, often used as a guideline for pricing.
Recto: The right-hand page of an open book, typically carrying an odd page number. It is the front side of a leaf in a bound book.
Rights: Legal permissions granted to authors, publishers, and others regarding the use, distribution, and reproduction of copyrighted material, including translation, adaptation, and licensing rights.
Royalties: The percentage of sales revenue that an author receives for each copy of their book sold.
Scrivener: A popular software tool for writers, designed to assist with the writing, organization, and formatting of long documents such as novels and manuscripts.
Self-Publishing: The process of independently publishing a book, either in print or digital format, without the involvement of a traditional publishing house.
Self-Publishing Platforms: Online platforms where authors can publish and distribute their books, such as Amazon KDP, Smashwords, and Draft2Digital.
Self-Publishing Services: Companies or freelancers that offer various publishing-related services such as cover design, editing, and formatting.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Techniques and strategies used to improve the online discoverability of an author’s website, blog, or book listings.
Short Story: A brief work of fiction characterized by its brevity and focus on a single plot, theme, or character, often published in magazines, anthologies, or collections.
Smashwords: A self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish and distribute their e-books to multiple retailers and libraries worldwide.
Spine: The narrow edge of a book’s cover that faces outward when shelved, typically displaying the book’s title, author’s name, and publisher’s logo.
Structural Editing: The process of reviewing and revising the structure and organization of a manuscript, focusing on elements such as plot, pacing, and character development. See content editing, developmental editing.
Style Guide: A set of standards and guidelines for writing and formatting text, including rules for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and citation.
Style Manual: A reference book or document that provides guidance on writing and formatting according to specific style standards, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago.
Subtitle: A secondary title or descriptive phrase that provides additional information about the content or focus of a book, often appearing below the main title.
Synopsis: A brief summary or overview of the plot, characters, and themes of a book, often used for marketing and promotional purposes.
Table of Contents (TOC): A list of chapter or section titles and page numbers, often found in the front matter of a book, helping readers navigate its contents.
Tagline: A short, catchy phrase or slogan used to convey the essence or theme of a book, often appearing on the book cover or in marketing materials.
Title Page: The page in the front matter of a book that displays the book’s title, subtitle, author’s name, and sometimes the publisher’s information.
Track Changes: A feature in word processing software that allows users to mark and track revisions and edits made to a document, facilitating collaboration and review.
Typeface: The specific design or style of a set of alphanumeric characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols, used for text in printed and digital publications.
Typesetting: The process of arranging and formatting text, images, and other elements on a page to create the final layout of a book or publication.
University Press: A publishing house affiliated with a university or academic institution, often specializing in scholarly works and academic research.
Verso: The left-hand page of an open book, typically carrying an even page number. It is the back side of a leaf in a bound book.
Wide: Referring to the distribution of a book across multiple retailers and platforms, as opposed to being exclusive to a single retailer or platform.
Word Count: The total number of words in your manuscript, which can be important for determining book length and pricing.
YA (Young Adult): A literary category targeting readers aged approximately 12 to 18, featuring protagonists of similar age and themes relevant to young adults.
I hope you found this self-publishing glossary helpful! Looking for an editor to help you weed out the errors before you self-publish your manuscript? I provide copyediting and proofreading services for nonfiction authors. Contact me for a quote!
