Glossary of Book Publishing Terms and Terminology for Authors & Self-Publishers

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This glossary of book publishing terms provides clear definitions of the most commonly used terminology for authors, writers and self-publishing professionals.

Whether you are self-publishing your book or submitting your manuscript to a literary agent or traditional publisher, understanding publishing terminology is essential.

For self-publishing and indie authors, book publishing terms used across the industry can feel complex and unfamiliar. From book layout and cover design to ebook formatting, print production, publishing costs and royalty payments, there are many important elements to consider when preparing your book for publication.

The following glossary explains key publishing terms you are likely to encounter when self-publishing or traditionally publishing your book, helping you navigate the process with confidence.

Advance

Payments made in advance of publication, sometimes given to the author at various stages throughout the book development. Normally, half is paid when the contract is signed and half when the book is printed.

Appendix

This appears at the back of a book and provides additional information that doesn’t fit in the front matter (front pages). An appendix can include recommended reading; citing sources if the book is produced from research; and original materials such as letters/emails, copies of family trees or maps. Not every book has an appendix page, it is mainly used in medical/science textbooks and biographies/memoirs, for example.

ARC – Advance Reader Copy

A pre-publication version of a book distributed to reviewers, bloggers and influencers to generate early reviews and interest ahead of the official release date.

Author Platform

An author’s online presence, including their website, email list and social media channels, used to promote their books and connect with readers.

Backlist

A list of books older than 12 months which are still available from a publisher.

Back Matter

The most common pages at the back that can be included as appropriate are epilogue, afterword, postscript, appendix/addendum, glossary, index and bibliography.

Beta Reader

If you would like objective feedback and constructive criticism on your manuscript, a beta reader can be relatively inexpensive or free. They will provide suggestions and pointers regarding the plot, scene setting, dialogue, characterisation, style of writing and sentence/paragraph construction. If you would like to find willing readers as well as/instead of family or friends, you can find these via online reading and writing forums and communities, such as Facebook, X and Goodreads.

Bleed

The area of a printed page that extends beyond the trim size, used when images or coloured backgrounds run to the edge of the page. Adding bleed to your files is a necessary step in book printing, as it allows the design to extend slightly past the final cut line, preventing unwanted white borders from appearing once the book is trimmed.

Binding

Binding is the process of securing and fastening printed sheets to produce a paperback or hardback. There are many common forms of binding:

• Perfect binding, which is used on paperbacks found in bookstores and supermarkets.

• Hardback books are produced using a hardcover which is mainly cardboard or can be material and are protected in a dust jacket with the cover design and book blurb on the back.

• Spiral binding, using wire or plastic coil, like you find on notepads, is another type which is mainly found on handbooks/workbooks/guidebooks/some textbooks, for example.

Blurb

This is the short promotional text usually on the back of the book or inside cover. An extended version is included in the NBA – New Book Announcement (see below). The blurb may also form the basis of marketing or promotional material. For guidance on crafting an effective, keyword-rich blurb that helps sell your book, see my post on how to write a compelling book blurb.

Book Launch

The planned marketing and promotional activity surrounding the release of a book, designed to increase visibility, sales and reader engagement.

Call to Action (CTA)

A prompt within marketing or promotional material that encourages the reader to take a specific action, such as purchasing a book or signing up to a mailing list.

Categories (BISAC Codes)

Standardised subject categories used to classify books in retail and library systems, helping improve discoverability.

Copy

This refers to the text, from the marketing and promotional material to the entire manuscript. It applies to documents as hard copies or in electronic form.

Copy-editing

Copy-editing, which is more in-depth than proofreading, involves amending sentence structure, flow and clarity, and also improving quality of wording, and removing repetition and redundant phrasing.

Sometimes the terms used to describe different levels of editing can be used interchangeably and the factors associated with each can become muddled. So always double-check the breakdown of checks carried out when researching editors or publishing companies to see what is covered in their levels of editing.

Copyright

The control and rights of an author for the use of their original work. Copyright regulations differ between countries and international agreements are applicable.

Copyright Page

Contains British Library cataloguing in Publication Data/the ISBN. At the foot of this page is "printed and bound by…" or "typeset by…" as examples.

Costing

For every book published there is the cost of production. This covers everything from the paper to the resources for design, typesetting, artwork and images. Also, obtaining permissions for content and editorial services such as copy-editing and proofreading.

CMYK

A colour model used in printing that stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). Files prepared for print are typically converted to CMYK to ensure accurate colour reproduction.

Crop Marks

Lines added to a document to indicate where the page will be trimmed to its final size during printing.

Developmental Editing (Structural Editing)

A high-level edit that focuses on the overall structure, content, pacing and organisation of a manuscript.

Draft

This is a work in progress version; therefore, not the final version of a book. Drafts will go through many rounds of editing and revisions by the author and editor before it is classed as final.

DPI – Dots Per Inch

A measurement of print resolution. For professional book printing, images are usually set at 300 DPI to ensure high-quality output.

Duplex Printing

Printing on both sides of a sheet of paper, which is standard for most books.

Ebook

This is short for "electronic book". Ebooks are now a popular alternative by indie/self-publishing authors instead of submitting to traditional publishers, as the book is available to buyers without needing to be accepted by a publishing house. These electronic versions are read on e-readers and tablets, or on laptops/PCs via apps. These are also less expensive to produce than paperbacks.

Edition

A number of identical copies printed at the same time. The initial printing is the first edition; when changes are made, it becomes the second edition or revised edition.

Endpapers (or End Sheets)

The pages at the beginning and end of a hardback book that connect the book block to the cover.

Extent

The number of pages in a printed book.

Foreword

This appears at the front of the book and is a short introduction either by the author or another established author or industry expert to provide a brief outline or overview of the book's content or background of the book’s author.

Frontlist

A list of new titles available from a publisher which are in their first year of publication.

Front Matter

Front pages of book which include the title page, copyright, dedication, about the author, also by author and table of contents.

Galley

This is a sample of a book that’s been through the design and layout process. The galley proof can be used by publishers/authors to receive feedback from experts in the industry, reviewers, bloggers and booksellers. This version also provides a final opportunity to review or make changes before the book is printed.

Grain Direction

The direction in which the fibres of the paper run. Correct grain direction is important for binding and prevents pages from warping.

Gutter

When you look at a paperback or hardback, the blank space (margin) closest to the spine is known as the gutter. This space provides the allowance needed to bind the book or publication so readers can read the text without it disappearing into the hinge (the part that bends when you open the book).

Half-title Page

Title of the book only.

Hybrid Publishing

A publishing model that combines elements of traditional publishing and self-publishing, often involving upfront costs paid by the author.

Imprint

A trade name under which a publisher releases a book, often used to target specific genres or audiences.

ISBN – International Standard Book Number

The 13-digit unique number that identifies aspects of the publication of a book, including the language, the title and publisher, plus a check digit which is often used in combination with the barcode.

ISSN – International Standard Serial Number

An eight-digit serial number that identifies the country of publication of a magazine or journals and its title. It refers to the complete run of a publication, not an individual issue, and is used in combination with a barcode.

KDP – Kindle Direct Publishing

Amazon’s self-publishing platform, allowing authors to publish ebooks and paperbacks for global distribution.

Kerning

The adjustment of space between individual letters in a word to improve readability and visual appearance.

Keywords

Search terms used to help readers find a book online, particularly important for visibility and marketing on platforms such as Amazon or SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) for an author website, for example.

Leading

The vertical spacing between lines of text, which affects readability and overall page design.

Line Drawing or Line Artwork

A drawing in black ink producing a single tone.

Line Editing

An edit that focuses on sentence-level improvements, including flow, tone, clarity and consistency of style.

Metadata

The descriptive information about a book, including title, subtitle, keywords, categories and description, used to improve searchability and sales.

NBA

Short for New Book Announcement. NBA is a tool used by sales and marketing teams during the promotion of a book. This carries all the essential information about a book.

Net Receipts

The revenue the publisher receives from the sales of a book, minus any deductions for customer discounts. Net receipts form the most common basis of royalty payments to authors.

Origination

The stages to prepare the book for printing, which can include typesetting, redrawing artwork and colour reproduction of photographs.

Page Heads (or Running Heads)

Text at the top of each page, usually displaying the chapter title and/or book title. Page heads and running heads refer to the same element, with the standard layout showing the chapter title on one page and the book title on the opposite page.

Pagination

The sequence of numbering pages in a sequential order in a book or publication.

PDF – Portable Document Format

PDFs are electronic files created using Adobe Acrobat. These images can be amended, viewed, printed or forwarded. PDF files are especially useful for preserving the original appearance and are often used for ebooks and also uploading sample chapters or pages online.

Perfect Bound

A common binding method where pages are glued together at the spine, typically used for paperback books.

Permissions

If any material includes previously published text or images, permission needs to be granted from the person who originally produced it – the copyright holder – in order to reuse the original or an amended version. There is often a cost called a permission fee attached to the use of such material.

Prelims

These are the introductory pages at the beginning of a book before the actual text. The prelims will contain a title page, half title page, the copyright page, preface, acknowledgements, forewords and any other material not forming the main part of the book. They can be numbered with Roman numerals.

Pre-orders

Orders placed by readers before a book’s official release date, often contributing to early sales rankings and visibility.

Print-on-Demand

Print on demand (POD) is an option to print physical versions of a book to a set amount at the point of ordering. Whereas, in traditional publishing a book is usually printed in bulk quantities. This service is based on customer needs – again, ideal for self-publishers who only want to produce a small quantity for family, friends, a local bookstore, etc.

Print Run

The number of copies of a book printed in a single batch.

Prologue

A prologue is an introduction written by the author which appears in the front matter. For both non-fiction and fiction books, it can provide a background/context or "setting the scene" or a mini chapter as a hook for the main content.

Proofreading

Proofreading takes place on the final manuscript prior to publication. This detects any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and formatting.

Proofs

The proofs are the output from the typesetting process. These are sent to the author and proofreader to check there are no new errors from the typesetters. At this stage corrections can still be made to a manuscript, but it can be very costly especially if it leads to pagination corrections.

Registration

The alignment of colours during the printing process. Poor registration can result in blurred or offset text and images.

Reissue

A reissue is the result of a book being reprinted due to changes to the text or cover. Usually a reissue generates more attention from booksellers and reviewers than a reprint.

Reprint

Any printing of a book, subsequent to the first edition, that involves little or no change to that edition. If small changes are required, this is called a revised reprint; the changes are not significant enough for a new edition.

Review

Books are reviewed by a peer group as part of the commissioning process. These are specialists in the area who ensure the material is suitable for its target market.

Revises

The printer will make corrections to the proofs and supply a set of revised proofs or revises. The publisher uses these to check the corrections have been carried out accurately.

Royalties

Royalties are the percentage of revenue the author receives from the publisher for each copy of their book sold. The level of payment differs for hardbacks and paperbacks (and ebooks if selling via a self-publishing platform, for example).

Running Heads (or Page Heads)

Text at the top of each page, usually displaying the chapter title and/or book title. The standard layout places the chapter title on one page and the book title on the opposite page.

Sales Rank (Amazon Best Sellers Rank)

A ranking system used by Amazon to indicate how well a book is selling compared to others in the marketplace.

Self-Publishing

• Self-publishing is a great option for authors to retain control of the creative and publishing process. This also enables the author to publish a book so it is available to potential readers within a relatively short amount of time. The main downside is that all the promotion and distribution is down to the author, whether that be on social media, via paid ads, through local outlets or using self-publishing companies who offer this service.

• It is the author’s responsibility to create a final copy, with the help of an editor and book cover designer as appropriate, and then self-publish on a platform such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Blurb, Smashwords, Lulu and Barnes & Noble to name a few.

• There are many resources online to help a first-time author though the self-publishing process, including the pros and cons. Many authors think that finishing and uploading their book onto Amazon, for example, is the end of the matter. But, as there is so much competition, a lot of promotion and self-marketing is required so that would-be buyers can find you in an overcrowded market.

• To self-publish will require an investment, but you earn a relatively high percentage of royalties (around 70% depending on which retailer you sell through).

Spine Width

The thickness of a book’s spine, calculated based on page count and paper type, which is essential for accurate cover design.

Stock (Paper Stock)

The type, weight and quality of paper used in printing a book, which affects appearance, durability and cost.

Signature

A group of printed pages folded together as part of the binding process in traditional printing.

Table of Contents

A table of contents in the front pages to provide a chapter list.

Title Page

Includes name of book, name of author and publisher.

Trade

Shorthand name for "the book trade", meaning booksellers and wholesalers.

Trim Size

The final dimensions of a printed book after it has been cut to its finished size.

Typesetting

The process of converting the copy-edited text files supplied by the author into the final style, layout and design of the printed book. The typesetter will often follow a house style for the material.

Typography

The font or typeface style on the jacket cover and material text.

Vanity Press

A publishing company that charges authors to publish their work, often with limited distribution and marketing support.

Widows and Orphans

Single lines of text left at the top or bottom of a page, typically avoided during typesetting to improve readability and layout.

Understanding book publishing terminology is a key step in becoming a more confident, informed author.

Whether you are navigating self-publishing or preparing to submit to agents and traditional publishers, having a clear grasp of these terms will help you make better decisions at every stage of the process.

Use this glossary as a reference guide as you write, edit and publish your book, and return to it whenever you encounter unfamiliar language – because the more you understand the publishing world, the more control you have over your journey as an author.

When you’re ready to move from draft to publication, my editorial services ensure your manuscript is professionally prepared:

✔️ Expert proofreading corrects spelling, grammar and punctuation, ensuring your manuscript is polished and error-free before publication.

✏️ Professional editing refines your writing, enhances clarity and flow, and improves consistency – ensuring a high-quality finish that appeals to readers and strengthens credibility.

📖 Ebook formatting creates a clean, publisher-standard layout, ready to self-publish on Amazon KDP or submit to a publisher or agent.