You’ve heard people talk about “acquiring,” “on sub,” or “earning out.” You’ve seen acronyms like ARC or P&L pop up in conversations, job descriptions, and industry articles. But what do those publishing terms actually mean?
The language of publishing can feel opaque when you’re first looking for work in the industry, navigating your first book deal, or are simply curious about how books make their way into the world. From editorial to marketing to sales, each corner of the publishing industry comes with its own set of shorthand and specialized phrases.
That’s why we’ve gathered the most common publishing terms and broken them down into straightforward, easy-to-follow definitions. Consider it a starting point for understanding how the industry works, who does what, and how a manuscript becomes a finished book. Whether you’re preparing for a job or writing your first novel, we hope this glossary will help you speak the language of publishing with confidence.
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- Asset: Any piece of promotional content, including social media graphics, book trailers, or high-res photos (headshot, book cover, photo insert, etc.).
- Backlist: A publisher’s or author’s catalog of titles published 12 or more months ago.
- Big mouths: Influencers or tastemakers who may not be traditional critics but have a large platform to spread the word.
- BISAC codes: A standardized list of industry-approved subject categories (e.g., Fiction/Mystery & Detective/Police Procedural). These codes tell retailers/booksellers the correct physical shelf or digital category for a book.
- Blurb: A quote of praise from another author or notable figure, usually found on the cover or in the front matter. These can be featured in publicity materials as well.
- Bookplates: Signed adhesive labels sent to readers or stores to create “signed copies” without the expense of shipping physical books.
- Catalog call: A meeting led by the publicity department where we present our upcoming titles to major media outlets, journalists, and/or producers. These calls are highly tailored to the outlet we are talking to.
- Clips: Copies of the actual media coverage (the article, video segment, podcast link) that the publicist collects to show the reach of the campaign.
- Comp titles: Short for “comparative” or “competitive” titles. These are recent, successful books similar to an upcoming one in tone, audience, or genre. They are used to help retailers and media understand where a new book fits in the market.
- Embargo: A request made to media outlets not to publish a review or interview until a specific date and time.
- First serial: The sale of an excerpt to a periodical for publication before the book’s publication to generate high-profile launch buzz.
- Frontlist: A publisher’s list of upcoming and recently released books.
- Galley/ARC: Short for “advance reading copy.” These are uncorrected proofs of the book used for early reviews and media pitches months before the official on-sale date.
- Digital galley (aka DRC/digital review copy or e-galley): Most reviewers now prefer digital versions, often distributed via platforms such as NetGalley or Edelweiss.
- Galley letter: A personalized letter from the publicist tucked into the ARC highlighting why the book is special, mentioning the author’s credentials, and listing the hooks.
- ISBN (International Standard Book Number): A unique 13-digit commercial identifier for books that simplifies search and ordering and helps differentiate between editions.
- ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number): Amazon’s own version of an ISBN or product number.
- Long-leads: Media outlets with long production cycles, primarily glossy magazines. These editors work four to six months in advance.
- Media kit: Similar to a press kit, but often includes a list of suggested interview questions or talking points to help a host prep.
- Metadata: Title, subtitle, ISBN, price, pub date, author bio, and description. High-quality metadata makes books discoverable in search engines and retailer databases.
- ONIX (Online Information eXchange): The standard international format used by publishers to distribute book metadata to retailers and wholesalers. Think of it as a data feed that tells Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and libraries everything they need to know to list a book for sale.
- Opinion pieces/op-eds: Persuasive articles that take a stance on a current event or a topic within the writer’s area of expertise. In publishing, publicists will try to help authors land op-eds to establish the writer’s authority by inserting their book’s core message into the daily news cycle.
- Personal essays: Narrative-driven stories from the writer’s own life. Publicists will try to help authors land personal essays that explore the emotional or lived experiences that inspired their books’ themes.
- Press kit: A folder containing the author’s headshot, book jacket art, a formal press release, and a bio.
- Reading roundups: Curated lists where authors recommend other books — often centered around a specific theme or “if you liked X, read Y” — that includes a mention of or connection to their book.
- Release date: In some contexts, this can also mean publication day. However, it can also mean the date that the books start shipping from the warehouse to the stores.
- Retailers: Any business that sells a book directly to the end consumer. This includes “big box” (Target, Walmart, B&N), independent bookstores (“indies”), and mass merchants (Amazon).
- Second serial: The sale of an excerpt for publication after the book’s release to maintain sales momentum and reach broader audiences.
- Short-leads: Outlets with faster turnaround times, such as websites, blogs, and daily podcasts. These are usually pitched one or two months before launch.
- Starred review: A prestigious distinction from top industry journals (like Kirkus or Publishers Weekly) signifying that a book is among the best in its genre.
- Stock signings: When an author stops by a bookstore to sign the copies currently on the shelves. Usually bookstores need at least a ten-day warning so they can ensure they have stock!
- Trade reviews: Reviews from industry-facing publications like Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness, etc., written specifically for librarians and booksellers.
