Publishing Industry Terms
Advance
An upfront payment made to an author by a traditional publisher against future royalties. Not applicable to self-service publishing platforms like Staten House.
Attribution
The practice of crediting the original source or creator of content, ideas, or creative works. Required for all quoted or referenced material.
Backlist
Previously published books that continue to generate sales over time, as opposed to new releases or frontlist titles.
Beta Reader
A volunteer reader who reviews a manuscript before publication to provide feedback on plot, character development, pacing, and overall readability.
Blurb
A short promotional description of a book, typically found on the back cover or in online listings, designed to attract potential readers.
Copyright
Legal protection granted to creators of original works, giving them exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their content.
Developmental Edit
A comprehensive review focusing on big-picture elements like structure, plot, character development, and overall narrative flow.
Distribution
The process of making books available to retailers, libraries, and readers through various channels including online platforms, bookstores, and wholesalers.
Edition
A particular version of a publication, which may include revisions, updates, or different formatting from previous versions.
Frontlist
New books recently published or about to be released, typically receiving the most marketing attention and promotional support.
Galley
An advance copy of a book, often unfinished, distributed for review purposes before the final publication.
Genre
A category of literature characterized by specific themes, styles, or subject matter, such as mystery, romance, science fiction, or biography.
Imprint
A brand name under which a publisher releases books, often focused on specific genres or target audiences.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
A unique identifier assigned to each published book format, used by retailers, libraries, and distributors to track inventory.
Manuscript
The original text of a book before it has been published, whether handwritten, typed, or in digital format.
Print-on-Demand (POD)
A printing method where books are produced individually as orders are received, eliminating the need for large inventory.
Proofreading
The final stage of editing that focuses on correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors.
Query Letter
A formal letter sent by authors to literary agents or publishers to pitch their manuscript for representation or publication.
Royalty
Payment made to authors based on book sales, typically calculated as a percentage of the cover price or net receipts.
Self-Publishing
The practice of authors independently publishing their own books without going through traditional publishing houses.
Subsidiary Rights
Additional rights associated with a book beyond initial publication, including translation, film, audio, and international rights.
Legal and Policy Terms
Cease and Desist
A legal notice demanding that someone stop allegedly illegal or harmful activity and not resume it in the future.
Copyright Infringement
The unauthorized use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder or beyond fair use limitations.
DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)
U.S. legislation that provides a framework for addressing copyright infringement on digital platforms and internet services.
Due Process
Fair treatment through the normal judicial or administrative system, ensuring proper procedures are followed before taking action.
Fair Use
A legal doctrine allowing limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, or education.
Intellectual Property
Creations of the mind protected by law, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.
Liability
Legal responsibility for one's actions or omissions, potentially resulting in obligation to pay damages or face other consequences.
Plagiarism
The unauthorized use of another person's words, ideas, or creative expressions without proper attribution, presented as original work.
Public Domain
Creative works not protected by copyright, either because protection has expired or the creator has dedicated the work to public use.
Safe Harbor
Legal protections that shield platforms from liability for user-generated content, provided they follow proper takedown procedures.
Terms of Service
Legal agreement between a service provider and users that governs the use of the service and establishes rules and responsibilities.
Trademark
A distinctive sign, symbol, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from competitors.
Platform and Technology Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols and tools that allows different software applications to communicate and share data with each other.
Dashboard
A user interface that provides an overview of key information and controls, allowing users to monitor and manage their account activities.
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Technology used to control access to copyrighted digital content and prevent unauthorized copying or distribution.
E-book
An electronic version of a book that can be read on computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones.
File Format
The structure and encoding used to store digital information, such as PDF, EPUB, or MOBI for e-books.
Metadata
Information about a book including title, author, description, keywords, and categories, used for cataloging and discovery.
Platform
A digital service or system that enables users to create, publish, distribute, or access content, such as Staten House's self-service publishing platform.
Self-Service Platform
A system that allows users to independently access services and complete tasks without direct assistance from company representatives.
Upload
The process of transferring files from a local device to a remote server or platform for storage or processing.
User Interface (UI)
The means by which users interact with a digital platform, including buttons, menus, forms, and other interactive elements.
Business and Finance Terms
Account Suspension
Temporary or permanent restriction of access to platform services due to policy violations or other issues.
Compliance
Adherence to laws, regulations, policies, and standards that govern business operations and conduct.
Due Diligence
The investigation and verification process undertaken before entering into agreements or making business decisions.
Escalation
The process of referring an issue to higher levels of authority when it cannot be resolved at the current level.
Intellectual Property Rights
Legal rights that protect creations of the mind, giving creators exclusive control over the use of their work.
Liability Limitation
Contract terms that restrict the amount or types of damages for which a party can be held responsible.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A legal contract that prevents parties from sharing confidential information with unauthorized third parties.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
A contract that defines the level of service expected from a provider, including performance standards and remedies for failures.
Stakeholder
Any individual or group with an interest in or who may be affected by a company's activities and decisions.
Transparency
The practice of being open and honest about business operations, policies, and decision-making processes.
Diversity and Inclusion Terms
Accessibility
The design of products, services, and environments to be usable by people with disabilities or different abilities.
Bias
Prejudice or unfair preference for or against particular groups, individuals, or ideas, often unconscious or unintentional.
Cultural Appropriation
The adoption or use of elements from one culture by members of a different cultural group, often without permission or understanding.
Cultural Sensitivity
Awareness and respect for cultural differences, avoiding actions or expressions that might be offensive to other cultures.
Discrimination
Unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or other protected attributes.
Diversity
The presence of differences within a group, including but not limited to race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.
Equity
Fair treatment and opportunity for all individuals, recognizing that equal treatment may not always result in equal outcomes.
Inclusion
The practice of creating environments where all individuals feel welcome, respected, valued, and able to participate fully.
Marginalized Communities
Groups that have been excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational, or political life due to discrimination or disadvantage.
Representation
The inclusion and visibility of diverse groups in various contexts, ensuring different perspectives and experiences are present and heard.
Stereotype
Oversimplified generalizations about a group of people that ignore individual differences and often perpetuate harmful assumptions.
Underrepresented
Groups that are present in smaller numbers than would be expected based on their proportion in the general population.
Content and Editorial Terms
Citation
A reference to a source of information used in academic or professional writing, providing credit to original authors and allowing readers to locate sources.
Copy Edit
The process of reviewing text for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and consistency while preserving the author's voice and intent.
Creative Commons
A licensing system that allows creators to specify how others may use their work, providing alternatives to traditional copyright restrictions.
Editorial Guidelines
Standards and requirements for content quality, style, formatting, and appropriateness established by publishers or platforms.
Fact-Checking
The process of verifying the accuracy of factual claims in written content before publication.
Formatting
The visual presentation of text including font selection, spacing, margins, headers, and other design elements that affect readability.
Peer Review
The evaluation of academic or professional work by experts in the same field to ensure quality and accuracy before publication.
Style Guide
A document that establishes standards for writing, formatting, and design to ensure consistency across publications.
Version Control
The management of changes to documents or files over time, allowing authors to track revisions and revert to previous versions if needed.