A Writer’s Guide to Publishing Lingo: 33 Terms Every Author Needs to Know
Stepping into the publishing world can feel a lot like entering a new country, where everyone’s speaking a language you haven’t quite learned yet. From contracts and royalties to distribution models and marketing strategies, there’s a whole world of jargon that can quickly feel overwhelming. But knowing the basics is essential.
Why? Because whether you're pursuing a traditional book deal, exploring hybrid options, or planning to self-publish, understanding key publishing terms empowers you to make informed, confident decisions. (Learn more about your options for publishing a book.) These terms come up often in conversations with agents, publishers, editors, and fellow writers. When you know what they mean, you can advocate for yourself, ask smarter questions, and avoid misunderstandings that could impact your book’s future.
We’ve compiled this guide of 33 must-know terms to give you a solid foundation as you move through the publishing process. These are the words and phrases you’ll encounter most often—from “advance” to “royalty” to “subsidiary rights”—and understanding them will give you the clarity you need to navigate your publishing journey like a pro.
Publishing is full of decisions, and the more you know, the more intentional and empowered you can be. So bookmark this guide, refer back to it often, and use it as a resource to help you move forward with confidence. Your book—and your future readers—deserve that kind of care.
33 Essential Book Publishing Terms
Acquisitions Editor - The person at a publishing house responsible for acquiring new books, evaluating submissions, and negotiating contracts with authors.
Advance - A payment given to an author before their book is published, deducted from future royalties.
Advance Reader Copy (ARC) - A pre-publication version of a book sent to reviewers, booksellers, and influencers for promotional purposes.
Agent Commission - The percentage of an author's earnings that their literary agent receives, typically 10-15%.
Author Platform - An author's visibility and reach, including social media, speaking engagements, and previously published works.
Backlist - Previously published books that remain in print and continue to generate sales.
Beta Readers - Early readers who provide feedback on a manuscript before it’s published.
Book Advance - Another term for "advance." A prepayment made to an author by a publisher against future royalties.
Book Blurb - A short promotional summary or endorsement of a book, often written by another author or influencer.
Book Proposal - A document summarizing a book concept, audience, marketing plan, and sample chapters, typically used to secure a publishing deal.
Book Rights - The legal permissions to publish and distribute a book in various formats and territories.
Book Royalties - Payments made to authors based on book sales, typically a percentage of the cover price.
Copyright - Legal protection giving authors exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute their work.
Distribution - The process of making books available to retailers, wholesalers, and consumers.
Distribution Network - The system of retailers, wholesalers, and distributors that make books available worldwide.
Editorial Reviews - Professional reviews published in newspapers, magazines, or online platforms.
Frontlist - Newly released books actively promoted by publishers.
Hybrid Publishing - A mix of traditional and self-publishing where authors pay for services but retain creative control.
Imprint - A division of a publishing house that focuses on a specific genre or market.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number) - A unique identifier assigned to each book edition for cataloging and tracking.
Literary Agent - A professional who represents authors, negotiates contracts, and pitches manuscripts to publishers.
Media Kit - A promotional package with author bios, book summaries, and press materials for media outreach.
Metadata - Descriptive information about a book (title, author, genre, keywords) used for marketing and discoverability.
Print-On-Demand (POD) - A publishing model where books are printed only when ordered, reducing inventory costs.
Query Letter - A pitch letter sent to literary agents or publishers introducing a manuscript. (Learn more about how to write a query letter.)
Rights Management - The process of handling book rights, including foreign rights and film adaptations.
Rights Reversion - When an author regains publishing rights to their book, usually after a contract ends or a book goes out of print.
Self-Publishing - When an author independently publishes and distributes their own book.
Self-Publishing Platform - Online services like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark that allow authors to publish their books.
Submission Package - The collection of materials sent to agents or publishers, typically including a query letter, synopsis, and sample chapters.
Subsidiary Rights - Additional rights, such as foreign translations, audiobook adaptations, and movie deals.
Traditional Publishing - The process where authors submit their manuscripts to established publishers, who handle editing, production, distribution, and marketing. (Learn more about how traditional publishing works.)
Vanity Press - A company that charges authors to publish their books, often with little editorial or marketing support.
Understanding publishing terminology is a game-changer. Whether you’re aiming for a traditional book deal, considering hybrid publishing, or diving into self-publishing, knowing these terms will help you make confident, informed decisions. So, bookmark this guide, refer to it often, and step into the publishing world with clarity and confidence. Your book deserves it!
Ways to Educate Yourself About the Book Publishing Industry
Getting to know the ins and outs of this industry does not require a master’s degree and a dissertation on the subject. It requires you to make conscious choices that allow you to learn more about publishing. Consider exploring opportunities to deepen your understanding and connect with others in the field. Here are some ways to do that:
Seek Out Resources: Participate in workshops and webinars that dive into various aspects of the publishing process. Whether it's learning how to craft compelling query letters or mastering the self-publishing route, these resources provide critical tools for your journey.
Stay Informed About Industry Trends: Keep up with industry news and updates to stay on top of the rapidly evolving market. This will allow you to identify new opportunities and adapt your strategies accordingly. Publisher’s Weekly is great for this.
Network with Fellow Writers and Professionals: Join writer groups, online communities, and industry events to connect with other writers, mentors, and professionals. These connections offer valuable insights, support, and shared experiences, helping you navigate the challenges of publishing without feeling isolated.
Industry Terminology: Understanding key publishing terms will boost your confidence and help you effectively participate in discussions with agents, editors, publishers, and fellow writers.
Supporting Writers as Informed, Empowered Creators
Publishing your book isn’t the end goal, it’s just one part of a bigger journey. Our mission is to help writers become active participants in every stage of their publishing process. That means we don’t just help you get a book out into the world. We help you understand how the industry works, how to advocate for yourself, how to find the right book publisher, and how to make decisions rooted in clarity and confidence.
We’re passionate about educating and mentoring writers because real success—especially in a crowded, competitive market—starts with knowledge. Before choosing a publishing path, it’s essential to understand the basics of the industry landscape. Knowing how publishing functions gives you the power to choose what’s best for your book and your long-term vision. We support you through that process by helping you assess your goals, explore your options, and create a path forward that feels right for you.
Once you’ve chosen a path, we’re here to walk it with you. If you’re pursuing traditional publishing, we offer the support you need to prepare your manuscript, write and refine your query letters or book proposals, and build a strategy for the query process. If you’re going the self-publishing route, we help you develop and edit your manuscript, design and publish your book, and build your author platform with thoughtful marketing and visibility tools. We offer both mentorship and hands-on services so you’re never navigating the process without guidance.
Everything we do is designed to put you in control of your creative journey while giving you the professional support you need, when you need it. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to publish, our goal is to make sure you’re equipped, empowered, and aligned every step of the way.
Our Galaxy Publishing is an educational and service-based platform that helps writers navigate the publishing industry with clarity, confidence, and creative control. Whether you’re self-publishing, seeking a literary agent, or still figuring out W T F you’re doing, we provide the tools, resources, and support to make your writing and publishing journey intentional, strategic, and powerful.