Publishing Glossary

A Plain-English Guide for Aspiring Authors

Publishing has its own language, and learning it before you sign anything, frankly, just makes good sense. This glossary covers the terms you are most likely to encounter on your journey from manuscript to published book, organized by stage so you can find what you need when you need it.

Types of Publishing

  • The model most people picture: a major publisher acquires your manuscript, covers all production costs, and pays you an advance against future royalties. Entry is fiercely competitive, typically requiring a literary agent, and the process can take years. Authors also give up significant creative control and receive lower royalty percentages

  • The model most people picture: a major publisher acquires your manuscript, covers all production costs, and pays you an advance against future royalties. Entry is fiercely competitive, typically requiring a literary agent, and the process can take years. Authors also give up significant creative control and receive lower royalty percentages

  • The model most people picture: a major publisher acquires your manuscript, covers all production costs, and pays you an advance against future royalties. Entry is fiercely competitive, typically requiring a literary agent, and the process can take years. Authors also give up significant creative control and receive lower royalty percentages

  • The promotional copy on your back cover and retail listings. A great book description is part synopsis, part sales pitch. It should hook the reader and leave them wanting more. This is not the same as a plot summary.

  • The process by which a publisher evaluates and selects manuscripts to add to its list. At

    BSP, this includes a review of your manuscript, a conversation about fit and vision, and a

    publishing agreement.

  • A brand name under which a publisher releases books. A single company may operate

    multiple imprints serving different genres or audiences. Bold Story Press and Xander Press

    are both imprints.

  • Your complete written work before it becomes a published book. Publishers typically refer to a manuscript as "ms" (singular) or "mss" (plural).

  • The first and deepest level of editing, focused on structure, pacing, voice, point of view, and content. A developmental editor looks at the big picture, not spelling or grammar. This is where a book is shaped and strengthened before line-level work begins.

  • Line-level editing for grammar, consistency, style, punctuation, and clarity. A copyeditor works through the manuscript sentence by sentence after the structure is set. This is not the same as proofreading

  • The final read-through before a book goes to press, catching any remaining typos, formatting inconsistencies, or errors that slipped through earlier rounds. Proofreading happens after the book is typeset.

  • A detailed letter from your editor outlining their feedback and suggestions for revision. A good editorial memo explains the why behind each suggestion, not just what to change.

  • A reader brought in late in the editorial process to review the manuscript with fresh eyes, catching issues that editors and authors who are close to the work may have stopped seeing.

  • An early, unfinished version of your book distributed before publication for review and endorsement purposes. ARCs are shared with reviewers, booksellers, librarians, and potential blurb writers. They typically carry a banner indicating they are uncorrected proofs

  • The first typeset version of your manuscript, sent to you for review before the book goes to final proofreading. This is your final chance to identify and fix errors.

  • The typesetting and visual arrangement of the text inside your book: fonts, spacing, chapter headings, running headers, margins, and more. A well-designed interior makes your book easier and more pleasurable to read.

  • The front, back, and spine artwork and typography that represent your book to the world. Your cover is your most powerful marketing tool; it communicates genre, tone, and audience before a reader has read a single word

  • The narrow side of the book visible when it sits on a shelf. Usually includes title, author, name, and the publisher logo. Spine width is determined by page count and paper type

  • The physical dimensions of your finished book (e.g., 6 x 9 inches). Determined early in production and affects page count, spine width, and price. Common memoir and nonfiction trim sizes are 5.5 x 8.5 and 6 x 9.

  • The pages at the beginning of a book before the main text: the half-title page, title page, copyright page, dedication, table of contents, and sometimes a foreword or preface.

  • Pages at the end of the main text, which may include acknowledgments, author bio, bibliography, index, and information about the publisher.m description

  • A required page (usually the back of the title page) listing copyright ownership, ISBN, Library of Congress information, publisher contact, and legal notice.

  • An estimate of how many typeset pages your manuscript will produce. Used to calculate spine width, determine final price, and plan production timelines.

  • The process of flowing your edited manuscript into professional page layout software (typically Adobe InDesign) to create the final interior file. The person doing this work is called the compositor or typesetter.

  • A 13-digit identifier unique to each edition and format of your book. Your paperback,

    hardcover, and ebook each require a separate ISBN. ISBNs are how retailers, libraries, and

    distributors identify and order your book.

  • A number assigned by the Library of Congress that allows libraries to catalog your book. Having an LCCN improves your book's chances of being acquired by public and academic libraries.

  • The standard file format for ebooks, compatible with most e-readers and apps (Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and others). Amazon Kindle uses its own proprietary format, converted from EPUB.

  • One of the world's largest book distributors. Getting your book into Ingram's catalog makes it orderable by bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide.

  • One of the world's largest book distributors. Getting your book into Ingram's catalog makes it orderable by bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide.

  • One of the world's largest book distributors. Getting your book into Ingram's catalog makes it orderable by bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide.

  • One of the world's largest book distributors. Getting your book into Ingram's catalog makes it orderable by bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide.

  • Item description

  • The promotional copy on your back cover and retail listings. A great book description is part synopsis, part sales pitch. It should hook the reader and leave them wanting more. This is not the same as a plot summary.

Technical Specs & Distribution

LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number)

A number assigned by the Library of Congress that allows libraries to catalog your book.

Having an LCCN improves your book's chances of being acquired by public and academic

libraries.

EPUB

The standard file format for ebooks, compatible with most e-readers and apps (Kobo, Apple

Books, Google Play, and others). Amazon Kindle uses its own proprietary format, converted

from EPUB.

Ingram / Ingram Lightning Source

One of the world's largest book distributors. Getting your book into Ingram's catalog makes it

orderable by bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide.

KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Amazon's publishing and print-on-demand platform, used to distribute ebooks and

paperbacks through Amazon.

Print-on-Demand (POD)

A printing technology where books are printed individually as orders come in, rather than in

large print runs. Eliminates warehouse costs and minimizes waste. Most hybrid publishers,

including BSP, use POD for standard distribution.

Metadata

The information that describes your book to retailers, libraries, and search engines: title,

subtitle, author name, book description, categories, keywords, price, and publication date.

Strong metadata is essential for discoverability online.

Marketing & Launch

Book Description / Jacket Copy

The promotional copy on your back cover and retail listings. A great book description is part

synopsis, part sales pitch. It should hook the reader and leave them wanting more. This is

not the same as a plot summary.

Endorsements / Blurbs

Praise quotes from notable people, other authors, subject-matter experts, or public figures,

printed on your cover or in your front matter. Blurbs lend credibility and should ideally be

gathered before your ARC is finalized.

Author Platform

Your existing audience and public presence: social media following, speaking engagements,

newsletter subscribers, podcast appearances, professional network. Publishers care about

platform because it directly affects a book's reach at launch.

Author Bio

A professional biography used on your book cover, website, and press materials. You will

typically need both a short version (50 to 75 words) and a long version (150 to 200 words).

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Book Launch

The organized marketing push around your publication date: events, social media

campaigns, email newsletters, media outreach, and review solicitations. A well-planned

launch builds momentum in the crucial first weeks.

NetGalley

A digital platform where publishers distribute ARCs to professional reviewers, librarians,

booksellers, and media. A strong NetGalley presence can generate early reviews on

Goodreads and retail sites.

Media Kit / Press Kit

A package of promotional materials for journalists, event organizers, and podcasters.

Typically includes author bio, headshot, book synopsis, key talking points, sample interview

questions, and contact information.

Press Release

A formal written announcement of your book's publication, distributed to media outlets.

Should include your book's hook, key details, and a quote from you or your publisher.

Rights & Legal

Royalties

The percentage of book sales revenue paid to the author. Royalty rates vary significantly by

publisher and contract. Bold Story Press pays 60% on print book sales and 70% on digital,

considerably higher than traditional publishing rates, which typically range from 8 to 15%.

Publishing Rights

Legal permission to publish, distribute, and sell your work in specified formats, territories,

and languages. A publishing contract defines which rights you grant to the publisher and

which you retain. Always read carefully, and ideally have an attorney review, before signing.

Subsidiary Rights (Sub-Rights)

Rights beyond the primary book publication: audio rights, film and TV adaptation rights,

foreign language translation rights, serial rights, and more. Who controls these rights, and

who benefits financially, should be clearly defined in your contract.

Permissions

Written authorization required when quoting or reproducing copyrighted material in your

book: song lyrics, poetry, lengthy passages from other works, photographs, and artwork.

Obtaining permissions is the author's responsibility and should be secured before your book

goes to press.

Copyright

Legal protection for your original creative work that exists automatically from the moment

you create it. Registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office (copyright.gov) is

optional but provides additional legal protections.

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Setting Up Your Glossary Page on Squarespace

A glossary page done well is a quiet workhorse: it builds trust, improves SEO, and gives readers

a reason to stay on your site. Done poorly, it is a wall of text nobody reads past the third entry.

Here is how to do it right.

Page Structure

Organize terms by category, as in this document, not alphabetically. Aspiring authors do not

know what to search for; they need guided discovery. Six to eight categories is the sweet spot.

Each category should be its own visual section.

On Squarespace, create each category section as its own Stack or Card block. Use consistent

section padding (60 to 80px top and bottom) and subtle background alternation, white then very

light gray, to visually separate sections without needing borders or dividers.

Block Layout

Within each category section, choose one of these approaches:

• Accordion block (called Summary Block in Squarespace): Put each term as the

accordion title and its definition in the body. This collapses long glossaries into a clean,

scannable list and works beautifully on mobile.

• Two-column layout: Term in the left column (bold, brand color) and definition on the

right. More visual, but requires more scrolling on mobile.

• Avoid putting all terms in a single text block. It looks like a legal document and

discourages reading.

Typography

• Term labels: Use your brand heading font, slightly larger than body text, in your brand

color.

• Definitions: Body font, 16 to 18px, medium gray rather than pure black. Pure black on

white is harder to read for long passages.

• Category headers: H2 or H3 in your heading font. Add a thin brand-color underline or left

border for visual separation.

• Line height: 1.6 to 1.8 for definitions. Dense text kills readability.

Page Header

Start with a short intro paragraph of three to five sentences, not a list, that explains who the

glossary is for and why it exists. Something like: "Publishing has its own language. Whether you

are weighing your options or deep in the production process, this glossary is here to help you

understand every term you will encounter on your journey to publication."

BSP Publishing Glossary | For Aspiring Authors

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Add a sticky table of contents on the left side using Squarespace anchor links so readers can

jump to a category without scrolling. Works especially well on desktop; hide it on mobile in

Squarespace's device visibility settings.

Internal Linking

Link glossary terms to relevant pages on your site wherever it makes sense:

• "Hybrid Publishing" links to your About or How It Works page

• "Royalties" links to your Why BSP page, where you highlight your 60% / 70% rates

• "ARC" links to your webinar page or book launch resources

• "Author Platform" links to your blog or resources section

Internal links improve your SEO and keep readers moving through your site rather than leaving

to search elsewhere.

Call to Action

End the page with a CTA section, not just a passive "Contact us." Try:

• "Ready to talk about your manuscript? Schedule a free consultation."

• "Learn how BSP authors are publishing differently. Join our next free webinar."

• "Think you might be a fit? Submit your manuscript for consideration."

SEO

• Page title: "Publishing Glossary for Authors | Bold Story Press"

• Meta description: "Print royalties, hybrid publishing, ARCs, ISBNs, learn the publishing

terms every aspiring author needs to know, from the team at Bold Story Press."

• Use H2 category headers to signal content structure to search engines.

• The glossary format is naturally keyword-rich. Do not stuff it further; let the definitions do

the work.

Mobile Checklist

• Test every accordion block on a phone before publishing.

• Make sure category section headers are large enough to read at arm's length.

• CTA buttons should be full-width on mobile.

• Hide the sticky table of contents on mobile using Squarespace device visibility settings.

BSP Publishing Glossary | For Aspiring Authors

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One last note: resist the urge to put everything on this page. If a term needs three paragraphs

to explain, it probably wants to be a blog post, and the glossary entry can link to it.

Marketing & Launch

  • The prominent copy on your back cover and on your retail listings. A great book description is part synopsis and part sales pitch. It should hook the reader and leave them wanting more. This is not the same as a plot summary.

  • Praise quotes from notable people, other authors. subject-matter experts, or public figures, printed on your cover, in your front matter, and/or on retail pages. Blurbs lend credibility and should ideally be gathered before your book publishes.

  • Your existing audience and public presence: social media following, speaking engagements, newsletter subscribers, podcast appearances, and professional networks. Publishers care about platform because it directly affects a book’s reach at launch.

  • A professional biography used on your book cover, website, and press materials. You will typically need both a short version (50-75 words) and a long version (150 - 200 words).

  • The organized marketing push around your publication date: events, social media campaigns, email newsletters, media outreach, and review solicitations. A well-planned launch builds momentum in the crucial first weeks.

  • A digital platform where publishers distribute ARC’s to professional reviewers, librarians, booksellers, and media. A strong NetGalley presence can generate early reviews on Goodreads and retail sites.

  • A package of promotional materials for journalists, event organizers, and podcasters. Typically, it includes an author bio, headshot, book synopsis, key talking points, sample interview questions, and contact information.

  • A formal written announcement of your book’s publication, distributed to media outlets. Often invludes your book’s hook, key details, and a quote from you or your publisher.

Rights & Legal

  • The percentage of book sales revenue paid to the author. Royalty rates vary significantly by publisher and contract. Bold Story Press pays 60% on print book sales and 70% on digital, considerably higher than traditional publishing rates, which typically range from 8 to 15%.

  • Rights beyond the primary book publication, audio rights, film and TV adaption rights, foreign language translation rights, serial rights, and more. Who controls these rigts, and who benefits financially, should be clearly defined in your contract.

  • Written authorization required when quoting or reproducing copyrighted material in your book: song lyrics (very expensive!), poetry, lengthy passages from other works, photographs, and artwork. Obtaining permissions is the author’s responsibility and should be secured before your book goes to press.

  • Legal protection for your original creative work that exists automatically from the moment you create it. Registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional but provides additional legal protections.