Do you know these helpful terms?
Here’s a list of terms in the book publishing world that authors should become familiar with, along with brief definitions:
Acquisitions editor – An editor at a publishing house who acquires new manuscripts for publication.
Advance – An upfront payment to an author against future royalties.
Agent – A professional who represents authors and their works when dealing with publishers.
Alpha reader – A reader who provides feedback to the author on the first draft or early versions of a manuscript before publication.
Antagonist – The main opposition or adversary to the protagonist in a story.
ARC (Advance Reader Copy) – A free copy of a book distributed before publication for proofreading, review or promotional purposes.
ASIN – The Amazon Standard Identification Number is a unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by Amazon to products listed on its platform, including books. ASINs help track sales and manage listings on the site and, unlike ISBNs, are specific to Amazon and cannot be used elsewhere.
Author branding – The process of creating a unique and recognizable identity for an author.
Author note – A short section where the author shares personal insights, reflections, or background information related to the book. It typically appears at the end of the book, though sometimes at the beginning if the author needs to prepare readers for what follows in the narrative. Some thriller, historical fiction and science fiction authors turn this into a “Fact vs. fiction” section.
Author platform – An author’s presence online and offline, including the author’s website, social media accounts, events, etc.
Back matter – The elements that appear at the back of a novel, including sections that include a character directory (on rare occasions), acknowledgments, fact vs. fiction (sometimes), about the author, an author’s note, related books or other books in the series, etc. Nonfiction books include a glossary, appendix, bibliography, and index.
Backlist – A publisher’s list of older book titles still in print.
Beta reader – A reader who provides feedback to the author on a manuscript before publication.
Blurb – A short promotional description of a book, often on the cover or in the book description section of a retailer such as Amazon.
Boilerplate – Standard language used in contracts.
Book launch – The official release of your book, often accompanied by events or marketing pushes.
Book proposal – A document used to pitch nonfiction books to agents or publishers, including an overview, chapter summaries and market analysis.
Book tour – Online or in-person events to promote your book through signings, readings or interviews.
Book trailer – A short video promotion for a book, similar to a movie trailer.
Call to adventure – A crucial narrative element in a novel, often marked by an extraordinary event or moment when the protagonist is forced to embark on a journey or face challenges that disrupt her ordinary life. This moment serves as the catalyst for the story, pushing the character out of her comfort zone and into a new realm filled with potential conflicts and growth.
Character arc – The evolution or inner journey of a character throughout a story. Typically, only significant characters have a character arc through a novel or series.
Cliffhanger – A plot device that leaves the reader in suspense, often at the end of a chapter or book in a series.
Commercial fiction – Genre-driven, plot-heavy books meant to entertain the masses.
Comp titles – Comparable titles used to position a book in the market or to give authors an idea of books with similar storylines or writing styles.
Copy editing – The process of editing a manuscript for grammar, spelling, punctuation and consistency.
Copyright – The legal protection that gives you ownership of your book and prevents others from copying it. Copyright protects the expression of ideas rather than the ideas themselves. Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form.
Critique partners – Writers who read and critique each other’s works, providing constructive feedback.
Dark night of the soul – At this low point in Act 2 or 3, the protagonist must find the will to carry on.
Denouement – The final part of a story in which the plot’s conflicts are resolved and loose ends are tied up. It follows the climax and provides closure, allowing readers to understand the outcomes of the characters’ journeys and the overall narrative.
Developmental editing – The process of addressing big-picture issues in a manuscript such as plot, pacing and character development, typically done by a developmental editor.
Dialogue tags – Words used to attribute speech to characters, such as “said” and “asked.” Authors are advised to minimize use of dialogue tags by showing characters’ movements or gestures as they talk.
Deus ex machina – A plot device used to resolve a story problem in a contrived, unrealistic way. It’s Latin for “god from the machine.”
Direct sales – The practice of selling books directly to readers through the author’s own online platform, such as a personal website or an e-commerce store.
Discovery writer – An author who writes a book without an outline.
Door of no return – A plot device indicating that the protagonist is fully committed to her journey and cannot go back to her previous life.
Elevator pitch – A brief, compelling description of a book that can be delivered quickly.
Endnotes – Explanatory or supplementary notes placed at the end of a book rather than as footnotes.
Epigraph – A short quotation, phrase or poem placed at the beginning of the book or a chapter. It serves to encapsulate the themes of the work, set the tone or provide context for the narrative that follows.
Epilogue – An optional section after a novel’s denouement that often provides additional information about the characters’ lives after the main events of the story have concluded. An epilogue may include a time jump to show long-term effects of the story’s events or offer insights into characters’ futures.
Exposition – Background information in a story to provide readers with important context. It often includes details about characters, settings, and events that have occurred prior to the current action. Exposition is typically more descriptive and aims to “show” what is happening, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the characters and the unfolding story.
First rights – The right to publish a work for the first time.
Foreshadowing – Hints or clues about future events in a story.
Foreword – A short introductory section in a book, usually written by someone other than the primary author, that serves to provide context, background or insights related to the book.
Front matter – The sections that appear at the beginning of a book, typically consisting of a title page, copyright page, testimonials (if any), dedication page, foreword or preface (if any), table of contents, epigraph, and any other material that precedes the main text.
Galley – A preliminary version of a hardback or paperback book used for proofreading and reviews.
Genre – A category of literature characterized by similarities in style, form or content. Genre fiction refers to stories that fit into recognized categories such as mystery, romance, science fiction, etc.
Ghostwriting – Writing a book for someone else who gets the credit.
Head-hopping – Switching between different characters’ perspectives within a scene. It’s a practice that’s frowned upon in modern storytelling.
Hero’s Journey – A narrative structure that outlines the typical adventure of a hero who embarks on a quest, faces challenges, and ultimately returns transformed. The Hero’s Journey consists of several stages that illustrate the hero’s transformation through his or her experiences.
High concept – An attention-grabbing book idea that appeals to a broad audience. It can be summarized in one to three sentences, making it marketable and memorable. High-concept stories often revolve around intriguing “what if” scenarios that present a twist on familiar themes or ideas.
Hook – An attention-grabbing element at the beginning of a story that immediately grabs the reader’s attention, or a one-sentence premise about the book that entices readers (sometimes called a logline).
Hybrid author – An author who both self-publishes and publishes with a traditional publishing house.
Hybrid publishing – Publishing that includes a mix of self-publishing and traditional publishing. Authors pay for some services but get a publisher’s backing.
Imprint – A subdivision within a larger publishing house that specializes in specific genres.
Inciting incident – The event that sets the main plot of a story in motion. Also called the opening disturbance, precipitating event or catalyst (catalyzing event).
Indie author – A writer who independently publishes his or her own work, typically retaining full control over the publishing process and rights to the content.
Info dump – An excessive amount of background information provided at once.
Intellectual Property – IP protection encompasses a broad range of legal rights that protect books (in all formats) and other creative works. The main types of IP protection include copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets.
ISBN – International Standard Book Number, a unique identifier for books. Many self-published authors use an ASIN rather than an ISBN.
ISBN Exemption Program – The process allowing certain publishers or authors to list their books for sale without requiring an ISBN. The program typically applies to indie authors and small publishers that publish niche works such as handmade books or private-label products.
Jacket copy – The text on the back cover of a book.
Kill your darlings – A popular piece of writing advice that encourages authors to eliminate elements of their work — such as characters, scenes, or phrases — that they are particularly fond of but do not serve the overall narrative. The phrase is often attributed to William Faulkner, although it originally comes from English writer Arthur Quiller-Couch, who wrote, “murder your darlings.”
Line editing – A type of editing focused on improving the flow, language and style of the text on a sentence level.
Literary agent – A professional who represents authors to publishers and negotiates contracts.
Literary fiction – Fiction that is character-driven and focuses on theme, style and psychological depth rather than plot.
Logline – A one-sentence summary of a book’s plot, also called a slugline. The term is more commonly used in the movie industry.
Manuscript – The author’s written work before it becomes a published book.
Mass market paperback – A smaller, cheaper paperback book often sold in bookstores and supermarkets.
MacGuffin – A plot device (often misspelled as McGuffin) in thrillers and other genres that serves as the primary motivation for the characters, driving the story forward. It is often an object, event or goal that may be of little intrinsic value but is crucial to the characters’ actions and the overall narrative, such as a stolen item or a secret document.
Metadata – Information about a book, such as the title, author, publication date and keywords, that helps readers and retailers find it.
Midlist – Books or authors that are moderately successful but not bestsellers in the traditional publishing world.
Midpoint turn – Also called a midpoint shift or reversal, it’s a significant plot point that occurs roughly halfway through the story, marking a pivotal shift in the narrative. This moment often involves a major revelation or event that alters the protagonist’s understanding of her situation, escalating the stakes and changing the direction of the plot. The midpoint serves as a crucial turning point that connects the first half of the story with the second, often leading to increased tension and character development.
Mirror moment – A pivotal scene, typically occurring at the midpoint, where the protagonist confronts his true self and reflects on his journey. This moment often involves an internal realization or revelation that prompts the character to shift from a reactive stance to a proactive one, fundamentally altering his approach to the challenges they face.
Narrative – Passages that tell or summarize what is happening in the story. Narrative conveys facts and information in a more straightforward manner, often slowing down the pace of the story. It can include summaries or statements that provide information without delving deeply into emotional or descriptive detail.
Narrative arc – The overall shape and structure of a story’s plot.
New adult fiction – Fiction that bridges the gap between young adult and adult, usually focusing on characters ages 18-30.
Novella – A work of fiction intermediate in length and complexity between a short story and a novel. The word count of a novella typically ranges from 17,500 to 40,000 words.
Omniscient POV – A narrative perspective that can access the thoughts of all characters. This approach is rarely used in modern fiction.
Optioning – The practice of a production company purchasing the rights to a work to potentially turn it into a film or TV show.
Pacing – The speed and rhythm at which a story unfolds, affecting the reader’s experience.
Pantser – A writer who creates without an outline, writing by the seat of her pants. A more recent, preferred term is “discovery writer.”
Pen name or pseudonym – A fake name an author uses instead of his or her real name.
Pinch point – A narrative device that serves to remind the reader of the antagonistic forces at play and to heighten the stakes for the protagonist. It typically occurs at two key moments in the story: the first pinch point, which is around the 37% mark, and the second pinch point, occurring around the 62% mark. If you’re just starting out, don’t stress about this.
Pitch – A concise presentation of a book idea to agents or editors.
Plot device – A narrative technique or element used to advance the plot, such as a coincidence, McGuffin or deus ex machine.
Plot point – A significant event or moment that alters the direction of the story, impacting the characters and their journeys. It serves as a critical turning point that propels the narrative forward, often leading to new conflicts or revelations. Plot points are essential for maintaining momentum in the story and are typically memorable events that readers can easily recall.
Plot turn – A significant event or moment that alters the direction of the story, impacting the characters’ goals, stakes, or obstacles. This change should ideally be unexpected but not entirely shocking, serving to deepen the narrative and engage the reader further. Plot turns are crucial for maintaining tension and interest, as they often introduce new conflicts or revelations that propel the story forward.
Plotter – A writer who plans their story in detail before writing.
Point of no return –
POV (Point of View) – The perspective from which a story is told. The most common POVs in modern fiction are third-person limited and first person.
Pre-order – A book that is made available for sale before its official publication date. When an author or publisher offers a book for pre-order, readers can place an order in advance and the book is sent to them automatically upon its release. Typically, readers are notified when the book becomes available for download or shipment, depending on the format (e.g., ebook or print).
Premise – The basic concept of a story.
Prequel – A story that precedes the events of a novel that was published earlier.
Print on Demand – Books are printed only when ordered, so no need to stock thousands in your garage.
Progressive complication – A series of escalating obstacles or conflicts that the protagonist must overcome.
Proofreading – The final stage of editing, focusing on catching typos and formatting issues.
Prologue – An optional introductory section that sets the stage for the main story.
Protagonist – The main character in a story.
Query letter – A letter sent to agents or publishers to pitch a book.
Reader magnet – A free book, story or item offered by an indie author to entice readers to sign up for the author’s mailing list or newsletter. The primary goal of a reader magnet is to build an audience and foster a relationship with potential readers by providing them with something of value in exchange for their contact information.
Royalties – The monies paid to an author based on a percentage of book sales.
Save the Cat – A storytelling method developed by screenwriter Blake Snyder designed to help writers craft engaging narratives through a structured framework. The name originates from the idea that a protagonist should perform an act of kindness or heroism — like saving a cat — early in the story to endear herself to the audience. The technique aims to create empathy for characters, even if they initially appear unlikable.
Self-publishing – The process of publishing and marketing one’s work independently without a traditional publishing house. It includes editing, cover design, distribution and marketing.
Sensitivity reader – A reader who provides feedback on the accurate and respectful portrayal of marginalized or underrepresented groups in a manuscript.
Series bible – A comprehensive document containing all the details about a book series’ characters, settings, plots, etc.
Show vs. tell – In fiction writing, “show vs. tell” refers to how the author conveys information and action in a story. Showing, the preferred technique, involves using descriptive language, actions, sensory details and dialogue to allow readers to experience the story and draw their own conclusions. For example, instead of stating that a character is angry, a writer might describe clenched fists, a furrowed brow and raised voices. Telling involves providing information directly and is often used when showing is impractical or would sidetrack the story.
Slush pile – The stack of unsolicited manuscripts received by publishers.
Story archetypes – Common patterns in stories that recur across different cultures and time periods, such as the hero’s journey or the coming-of-age story.
Story beats – Essential structural elements in a narrative that mark significant moments of change or development within the story.
Structural edit – An editing stage that addresses a story’s overall structure, pacing, characterization and plot development.
Subgenre – A more specific category within a broader genre, such as cozy mystery or dystopian sci-fi.
Submissions – The process of sending query letters and manuscripts to literary agents and publishers in hopes of securing representation or a book deal.
Subplot – A secondary plot in a story that supports or complements the main plot.
Synopsis – A summary of a book’s plot, often required when submitting to agents or publishers.
Testimonials – Endorsements or positive statements made by readers, authors, or influencers that highlight the value of the book. People often refer to these as “blurbs,” though technically a blurb is a book description (see above).
Theme – The central idea, message or underlying meaning of a story.
Three-act structure – A storytelling model divided into setup, confrontation and resolution.
Tone – The overall mood, atmosphere and attitude conveyed in a piece of writing.
Trade paperback: A paperback book intended for general sale.
Traditional publishing – Publishing through a publishing house that handles everything (editing, cover design, marketing), but you’ll likely need an agent.
Tropes – Commonly used literary devices, plot elements or character archetypes that readers often come to expect in a specific genre.
Turning point – A crucial event that signifies a significant shift in the plot, altering the direction of the narrative and influencing the protagonist’s journey. This moment can take various forms, such as escalating an existing conflict, introducing new challenges, or revealing critical information that changes the reader’s understanding of the story.
Unreliable narrator – A narrator whose credibility is compromised, making their account of the story suspect.
Vanity press – A publishing company that charges authors to publish their books.
Voice – The distinctive personality or style of an author based on her writing.
Wide – When authors decide to “go wide,” they distribute and sell books across multiple retail platforms rather than limiting sales to a single outlet. Authors who go wide can still sell their books on Amazon but can’t make their ebooks available in Kindle Unlimited.
Word count – The total number of words in a manuscript. Word counts vary by genre and are also used to determine the appropriate category (e.g., novel, novella) and pricing.
World-building – The process of constructing an imaginary world, often for science fiction or fantasy.