Author Glossary
Self-Publishing Glossary for Authors
Every term an indie author needs to know — from first draft to published book. 37 definitions, with real-world context.
Alpha Reader
An alpha reader is the first person (other than the author) to read a manuscript, typically during or shortly after the first draft. They provide broad, big-picture feedback on plot, pacing, and character — not line-level editing. Alpha readers are often trusted friends, writing partners, or fellow authors.
ARC (Advance Review Copy)
An ARC is a pre-publication version of a book sent to reviewers, bloggers, and influencers before the official launch date. The goal is to generate early reviews and buzz. ARCs can be physical copies or digital files (usually PDF or EPUB).
ASIN
Amazon Standard Identification Number — a unique 10-character product identifier Amazon assigns to every listing, including Kindle ebooks. Your ASIN is created when you publish on KDP and is the ID used in Amazon product URLs.
Back Matter
Back matter refers to the content that appears after the main story ends — author's note, acknowledgments, bibliography, about the author, and a call-to-action (such as a newsletter sign-up or 'Also by...' list). Good back matter turns a single reader into a long-term fan.
Beta Reader
A beta reader reviews a more polished draft than an alpha reader, typically after developmental edits. They represent your target audience and provide feedback on whether the story works as a reading experience — not just structurally but emotionally.
BISAC Code
Book Industry Standards and Communications codes are standardized subject headings used to categorize books for retailers and libraries. Every book should have at least one BISAC code — it helps retailers place your book in the right sections.
Blurb
A blurb is the short marketing text that appears on a book's back cover or product page — typically 150–250 words. A great blurb introduces the stakes, the protagonist, and the central conflict without spoiling the resolution. It sells the emotion, not the plot.
Book Proposal
A book proposal is a formal document submitted to traditional publishers or agents, outlining the book's concept, market, competition, author platform, and sample chapters. For nonfiction, proposals are usually submitted before the full manuscript is written.
Chapter Outline
A chapter outline is a scene-by-scene or chapter-by-chapter plan for your manuscript. It can be a simple list of events or a detailed breakdown of character goals, conflict, and outcomes for each chapter. Outlines help plotters plan and pantsers recover.
Copyedit
Copyediting is a line-level edit that addresses grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and style. It comes after developmental editing and before proofreading. A copyeditor ensures your prose is technically correct and stylistically consistent throughout.
Copyright Page
The copyright page is typically the reverse side of the title page in a book, containing the copyright notice, year, ISBN, edition information, disclaimer, and rights statement. It's legally important and should appear in every published book.
Developmental Edit
A developmental edit (also called a structural edit) addresses the big-picture elements of a manuscript — story structure, pacing, character arcs, plot holes, and theme. It happens before copyediting and is the most substantial (and expensive) type of editorial feedback.
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital (D2D) is a publishing distribution platform that aggregates and distributes ebooks (and print books) to major retailers including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and libraries worldwide. It's a popular alternative to direct publishing on each platform.
EPUB
EPUB (Electronic Publication) is the industry-standard open ebook format, supported by most ebook retailers and devices. An EPUB file is essentially a zip archive containing HTML content, CSS styling, and metadata. It's required for Apple Books, Kobo, and most non-Amazon platforms.
Front Matter
Front matter is the content at the beginning of a book, before Chapter 1 — including the title page, copyright page, dedication, table of contents, and sometimes a foreword or preface. Proper front matter is expected by retailers and libraries.
Genre
Genre is a category of literature defined by shared conventions, themes, and reader expectations. Major genres include Romance, Thriller, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, and Horror. Genre signals to readers what kind of experience to expect.
Hybrid Author
A hybrid author publishes both traditionally (through a publisher) and independently (self-published). This model allows authors to retain full control and higher royalties on some titles while benefiting from traditional publisher distribution and advances on others.
Hybrid Publishing
Hybrid publishing refers to models that sit between traditional publishing and full self-publishing — often involving a company that provides editorial and production services for a fee, then distributes the book. Quality varies widely; research carefully before investing.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark is a self-publishing platform owned by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest book distributor. Publishing through IngramSpark gives your print book access to over 39,000 retailers and libraries globally, including independent bookstores.
ISBN
International Standard Book Number — a 13-digit identifier (previously 10-digit) that uniquely identifies a specific edition and format of a book. Every format (hardcover, paperback, ebook) requires a separate ISBN. ISBNs are required for distribution to most major retailers.
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
KDP is Amazon's self-publishing platform for ebooks and print books (via KDP Print). It's the most widely used self-publishing platform globally, providing access to Amazon's marketplace with royalties up to 70% for ebooks priced $2.99–$9.99.
Logline
A logline is a one-to-two sentence summary of your book's premise that captures the protagonist, conflict, and stakes. Borrowed from screenwriting, loglines are used in query letters, pitches, and marketing copy. A good logline makes someone want to read more.
Manuscript
A manuscript is the complete written text of a book before it has been typeset and printed. The term comes from Latin 'manu scriptus' (written by hand) and today refers to the author's document — typically a Word file or similar — submitted for editing and publication.
MOBI
MOBI is an ebook format historically used by Amazon's Kindle devices. While Amazon has largely shifted to EPUB for the KDP upload process (converting to its own internal format), MOBI files are still circulated and understood in the industry.
Pantser
A pantser (from 'writing by the seat of your pants') is an author who writes without an outline, discovering the story as they draft. Pantsers often produce more organic, surprising narratives but may face structural challenges in revision.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a fixed-layout file format that preserves formatting regardless of device or software. PDFs are commonly used for print-ready files submitted to printers, ARCs distributed to reviewers, and resources sold digitally.
Plotter
A plotter is an author who plans their story in detail before writing — outlining chapters, beats, character arcs, and plot structure. Plotters often revise less but may struggle with the story feeling mechanical. Most authors are somewhere between plotter and pantser.
POV (Point of View)
Point of view is the narrative perspective from which a story is told — first person ('I'), second person ('you'), third person limited, or third person omniscient. POV choices profoundly affect reader intimacy, tension, and emotional connection.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage of editing before publication, catching any remaining typos, formatting errors, or inconsistencies that slipped through copyediting. A proofreader reads the typeset book, not the raw manuscript.
Query Letter
A query letter is a one-page pitch sent to literary agents or publishers to interest them in representing or publishing your manuscript. It includes a hook, synopsis, comparable titles (comps), and brief author bio. Query letters are the traditional publishing gatekeeping mechanism.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing means an author independently manages all aspects of production and distribution — editing, cover design, formatting, and publishing — without going through a traditional publisher. The author retains full creative control and a higher percentage of royalties.
Story Arc
A story arc is the overarching narrative structure that a character or plotline follows from beginning to end — establishing the situation, building tension, reaching a climax, and resolving the conflict. Understanding arc is foundational to writing satisfying fiction.
Subgenre
A subgenre is a specific category within a broader genre — for example, Cozy Mystery (within Mystery), Space Opera (within Science Fiction), or Dark Romance (within Romance). Subgenre signals inform readers about tone, tropes, and heat level.
Synopsis
A synopsis is a summary of your book's entire plot, including the ending — typically 1–2 pages. Unlike a blurb (which teases), a synopsis reveals everything. It's used in query letters, editorial submissions, and as a writing reference tool during drafting.
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing is the process of having your manuscript acquired and published by an established publisher, typically via a literary agent. The publisher handles editing, design, distribution, and some marketing — in exchange for an advance and lower royalty percentages.
Tropes
Tropes are recurring themes, plot devices, or character types within a genre that readers recognize and often love. Examples include 'enemies to lovers,' 'chosen one,' 'the mentor,' and 'fish out of water.' Tropes are not clichés — they're genre conventions that create reader satisfaction when handled well.
Word Count
Word count refers to the total number of words in a manuscript. Standard ranges by genre: Flash Fiction (under 1,000), Short Story (1,000–15,000), Novella (20,000–50,000), Novel (50,000–100,000+). Agents and editors use word count to assess marketability.
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