Glossary

Writing Process

Draft — A version of your manuscript. First drafts are rough; subsequent drafts are progressively refined.

Manuscript — The complete text of your book before it's published.

Outline — A structured plan for your book showing chapters, sections, and key content. Ranges from a brief list to a detailed blueprint.

Pantser — A writer who writes without an outline, discovering the story as they go. Opposite of a plotter.

Plotter — A writer who plans their book in detail before writing. Opposite of a pantser.

Word count — The total number of words in your manuscript. Standard novel: 70,000–100,000 words. Standard nonfiction: 40,000–80,000 words.

Fiction Terms

Antagonist — The character or force opposing the protagonist. Not necessarily a villain — any obstacle to the protagonist's goal.

Character arc — The internal transformation a character undergoes throughout the story.

Climax — The highest point of tension in a story, where the central conflict is resolved.

Denouement — The resolution after the climax, where remaining plot threads are tied up.

Dialogue — Conversation between characters in a story.

Inciting incident — The event that launches the main story, disrupting the protagonist's normal world.

Logline — A one-sentence summary of a book or film's premise, identifying the protagonist, conflict, and stakes.

POV (Point of View) — The perspective from which a story is told. First person (I), third person limited (he/she, one character's perspective), third person omniscient (all-knowing narrator).

Protagonist — The main character of a story, whose journey drives the plot.

Show, don't tell — Writing principle: convey emotions and situations through actions, dialogue, and sensory details rather than direct statements.

Subplot — A secondary story that runs alongside the main plot, often involving supporting characters or a different aspect of the protagonist's life.

Three-act structure — A narrative framework dividing a story into setup (Act 1), confrontation (Act 2), and resolution (Act 3).

Nonfiction Terms

Authority — The credibility you bring to your subject through expertise, experience, or research.

Case study — A detailed examination of a specific example used to illustrate broader principles.

Lead magnet — A free resource offered to readers in exchange for their email address, used to build an audience.

Platform — An author's existing audience, influence, and visibility. Includes email lists, social media following, professional reputation, and media presence.

Editing

Beta reader — A person who reads a near-final manuscript and provides feedback from a reader's perspective.

Copy editing — Editing for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency. Does not address content or structure.

Developmental editing — Editing focused on big-picture elements: structure, content, pacing, and whether the book achieves its goals.

Line editing — Editing at the sentence and paragraph level for clarity, flow, and impact.

Proofreading — The final editing pass, catching typos, formatting errors, and minor mistakes missed in earlier rounds.

Publishing

Advance — Money paid by a traditional publisher to an author before the book is published, against future royalties.

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) — Amazon's self-publishing platform for ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks.

Back matter — Content after the main text: acknowledgments, about the author, also-by page, resources.

Blurb — The promotional description on a book's back cover or product page. Also: a brief endorsement from another author.

Front matter — Content before the main text: title page, copyright page, dedication, table of contents.

IngramSpark — A print-on-demand and distribution platform offering wider bookstore and library access than KDP alone.

ISBN (International Standard Book Number) — A unique identifier for each edition of a book. Required for wide distribution.

KDP Select — An Amazon program requiring ebook exclusivity to Amazon in exchange for inclusion in Kindle Unlimited and promotional tools.

Kindle Unlimited (KU) — Amazon's subscription service where readers pay a monthly fee to read unlimited books. Authors are paid per page read.

Print-on-demand (POD) — A printing model where books are printed individually as ordered, eliminating inventory risk.

Query letter — A one-page pitch letter sent to literary agents seeking representation.

Royalties — The percentage of each sale paid to the author. Varies by publisher and platform.

Self-publishing — Publishing a book independently, without a traditional publisher. The author handles or hires help for all production and marketing.

Traditional publishing — Publishing through an established publishing house, which handles editing, design, printing, and distribution in exchange for rights and a share of revenue.

Design and Formatting

Bleed — In print design, when an image extends to the very edge of the page. Requires special file setup.

Trim size — The dimensions of a printed book after pages are cut.

Typography — The art and technique of arranging type. In book design: font selection, sizing, spacing, and layout.

Marketing

Amazon algorithm — Amazon's system for ranking and recommending books. Influenced by sales velocity, reviews, keywords, and customer behavior.

BookBub — A book promotion service that sends curated deals to millions of readers.

Comp titles — Comparable titles used to position your book in the market. "For readers who enjoyed [book X] and [book Y]."

Launch team — A group of supporters who commit to buying, reading, and reviewing your book during launch week.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) — For books: optimizing your book's title, description, and keywords so it appears in Amazon and Google searches.