The Writer’s Glossary: From A to Z

Action beats are brief actions or gestures that accompany dialogue, used instead of dialogue tags like "said" or "asked." They help convey a character’s emotions and add depth to the conversation.

Example:
Instead of: “I don’t know,” she said.
Try: She looked down, fidgeting with her bracelet. “I don’t know.”

A prepublication copy of a book distributed to readers for free in the hope of receiving honest reviews and generating early interest.

Categories on Amazon separate books into sections, similar to a physical bookstore. The requirements to be a #1 seller in a category vary.

A unique identifier for products listed on Amazon.

The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities or objects. (See Zoomorphism)

A brief description of an author's background, achievements, and qualifications used to establish authority.

Events occurring before the main story begins. This may include the history or experiences of characters or entire populations and can be explained through flashbacks, dialogue, or exposition.

A brief promotional description or summary of a book, usually found on the book cover or in marketing materials.

A detailed document presenting the content of a potential book to an agent or publisher. It typically includes an overview, content summary, author's platform and credentials, outlines, and market analysis. Proposals are often for nonfiction works.

A prompt encouraging readers to take a specific action, such as buying a book.

A metric measuring the effectiveness of keywords, ads, and other promotional materials, calculated by dividing the number of clicks by the number of times the ad is shown (clicks/impressions = CTR).

Books similar to the one being proposed, used to demonstrate the market potential and positioning of the book. Comparative titles help agents and publishers understand the book's place in the market.

Written content used in advertisements, websites, and other media to inform, entertain, or persuade.

The average amount an advertiser pays each time someone clicks an ad.

A letter sent with a manuscript or book proposal to introduce the work and provide context. It typically includes a brief synopsis, the author's credentials, and why the book is a good fit for the publisher or agent.

Developmental editing addresses major structural and content issues in a manuscript. It involves substantial revisions to the overall structure, plot, character development, and narrative flow. This type of editing aims to enhance the manuscript's coherence and effectiveness by reorganizing content and improving the overall structure, usually done early in the editing process.

A term for when a reader stops reading a book before finishing it.

A platform for self-publishing and distributing eBooks and print books.

A digital eBook format supporting flexible text and multimedia.

A recommendation or testimonial from a notable person or expert endorsing a book. Endorsements can enhance the book's credibility and appeal to potential readers.

Short, focused stories that often emphasize a single scene or moment. 100 to 1,000 words.

A narrative technique where the story jumps ahead to future events, often used to show outcomes or consequences.

A short introductory section written by someone other than the author, usually someone of note, that provides context or background to the book.

The process of handling, packaging, and shipping orders to customers. This can include inventory management and order processing.

The inner margin of a book where the pages are bound together. Proper gutter size is important for readability and ease of use.

A compelling opening or element in a book that grabs the reader's attention and encourages them to continue reading.

A large amount of information provided all at once, often in a way that feels unnatural or overwhelming to the reader. It can disrupt the flow of the narrative.

Legal rights protecting creations of the mind, like literary works.

A unique identifier for books, aiding in tracking and cataloging.

Metrics used to measure effectiveness and success, such as book sales or website traffic.

A unique identifier for cataloging books in libraries.

A professional who represents authors in negotiations with publishers and helps manage their careers. Agents often provide guidance on manuscript preparation and submission strategies.

Lists by agents or editors specifying the types of manuscripts they are interested in.

The shape that a story takes as it progresses from beginning to end. It includes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

The first line of a paragraph appearing alone at the bottom of a page or column.

Authors who write by the "seat of their pants," without a detailed outline. They often discover the story as they write.

A fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name. Authors might use pen names for various reasons, such as privacy or branding.

The author's presence and influence in their field, including their online following, speaking engagements, and media presence.

A collection of materials provided to the media to promote a book or author. It usually includes a press release, author bio, book cover images, and sample chapters.

Printing technology for producing books as orders are received.

The process of reviewing the final draft of a text to correct any typographical, grammatical, or formatting errors.

Managing and shaping the public image of individuals or organizations.

A metric evaluating the profitability of an investment.

A payment made to authors based on the number of copies sold of their book. Royalties are usually a percentage of the book's sales.

The pages displayed by search engines in response to a query.

A collection of unsolicited manuscripts sent to agents or publishers.

The process of sending a manuscript to agents, publishers, or contests for consideration.

A brief summary of a book's plot, characters, and themes. Synopses are often required in query letters and book proposals.

The specific group of readers for whom a book is intended. Understanding the target audience helps authors and publishers market the book effectively.

Authors submit manuscripts to established publishing houses like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins. These publishers handle editing, production, some marketing, and distribution. Authors receive royalties and may receive an advance against future royalties.

A type of publishing company that charges authors for the publication of their books. While they offer authors a path to publication, they are often criticized for the costs involved and services offered.

The last line of a paragraph appearing alone at the top of the next page or column.

The process of creating an intricate and detailed setting or universe for a story, particularly in speculative fiction.

A short, intense period of focused writing, typically aimed at producing a specific amount of text or writing for a set duration.

Attributes animal characteristics to people or objects. Example: He moved like a sloth.

In traditional publishing, an advance is an upfront payment a publisher makes to an author against the author’s future royalties. The author generally begins receiving additional royalty payments after the advance has earned out.

An early reader of a manuscript who provides crucial feedback on plot, characters, and themes.

Words or phrases shoppers use to find books. Keywords are competitive and depend on the target audience. The goal is to identify keywords with the highest search volume and lowest competition that are still relevant to the book.

A collection of works, often poetry, essays, short stories, or excerpts from larger works, compiled into one volume. This can feature one single author's work or the work of multiple authors.

A platform for creating audiobooks, connecting authors, narrators, and producers.

The text on the back of a book or dust jacket, intended to pique interest. It may include a summary or teaser of the book's contents, author information, reviews, or other details to encourage purchase and reading.

An individual who receives a nearly-final manuscript for feedback. They evaluate character development, dialogue, pacing, and overall readability, aiding in refining the manuscript before publication.

A series of events leading to the release of a new book. It can include a social media campaign, launch party, signings, tours, interviews, press releases, and promotional events, aimed at creating interest and driving sales.

The process by which an author makes themselves known and differentiates from others. It includes how the author presents themselves, messaging, author voice, logo, tagline, and other strategies.

The process by which a character undergoes change throughout a story, representing their transformation or inner journey by the end.

A narrative device where a story or chapter ends with suspense, leaving readers eager to find out what happens next.

Software for creating and managing digital content without coding, like WordPress and Wix.

The process of reviewing and correcting a manuscript for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency before it is published.

A metric denoting the price of 1,000 ad impressions. Also known as Cost Per Thousand.

An evaluation or analysis of a manuscript, focusing on strengths and weaknesses. Critiques can be provided by beta readers, critique groups, or professional editors.

Words or phrases used to indicate who is speaking in a conversation within a story. Examples include "she said" or "Jane said." These tags help clarify dialogue and maintain the flow of the narrative.

The process of getting books from the publisher to the reader. This includes the logistical aspects of delivering physical copies to bookstores, online retailers, and other outlets.

A critical evaluation of a book or other work, written by a professional reviewer, critic, or expert, analyzing content, style, and overall quality.

A brief, persuasive speech that summarizes a book's main selling points and captures its essence. It's called an "elevator pitch" because it should be concise enough to deliver during a short elevator ride.

The part of a story that introduces background information such as setting, characters, and the main conflict. It helps establish the context for the narrative.

A narrative technique where the story shifts to an earlier time to provide background or context to the current events.

A literary device where hints or clues are given about events that will occur later in the story.

The sections of a book that appear before the main text, including the title page, copyright page, table of contents, foreword, preface, and acknowledgments.

The practice of writing content on behalf of someone else, who is credited as the author. Ghostwriters are often used for autobiographies, business books, and novels.

A writing technique where the narrative shifts between the thoughts and perspectives of multiple characters within a single scene or chapter.

A publishing model that combines elements of traditional and self-publishing. Hybrid publishers offer authors a mix of services, providing more support than self-publishing while allowing authors to retain more control and a higher share of royalties compared to traditional publishing.

A publishing platform that offers print-on-demand and distribution services to authors and publishers.

Rights to publish, distribute, and sell a book in countries other than the author's home country.

Amazon's self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish and sell ebooks and paperbacks directly to readers.

A valuable resource offered for free in exchange for a reader's contact information, often used to build an email list. Examples include eBooks, checklists, and exclusive content.

A detailed editing process that focuses on improving the clarity, flow, and overall quality of writing at the sentence and paragraph level. It addresses issues like syntax, word choice, and pacing.

The original text of a book before it is edited and published.

Information about a book that helps with its discovery and categorization, including title, author, genre, keywords, and description. Good metadata is crucial for online visibility and sales.

Provisions in a publishing contract that give the publisher certain rights, such as first refusal for the author's next book.

The perspective from which a story is narrated. Common POVs include first person, second person, and third person.

An advertising model where advertisers pay per click on their ad.

A brief description of a book's concept, typically used to attract the interest of agents, publishers, or readers.

Writers who plan their stories before starting to write. Plotters create detailed outlines and develop characters, settings, and plot points in advance, as opposed to "pantsers" who write by the seat of their pants and discover the story as they go.

An official statement issued to the media to announce something newsworthy, such as the release of a new book.

An introductory section of a book or play that provides background information or sets the stage for the story that follows.

Creative works to which no exclusive intellectual property rights apply. Works in the public domain can be used freely by anyone.

A letter sent by an author to a literary agent or publisher proposing their book for publication. It typically includes a summary of the book and the author's credentials.

A request for authors to make changes to their manuscript and resubmit it.

Optimizing web content to improve its search engine ranking.

The process of publishing a book independently, without going through a traditional publishing house.

A group of fans who help promote a book or author, often in exchange for exclusive content or other incentives.

A literary device where one sense is described in terms of another, such as "a loud color" or "a sweet sound."

A short, catchy phrase that encapsulates the essence of a book or brand. It is often used in marketing materials to attract attention.

A list of books a reader plans to read in the future, either already owned or on their radar.

A trope is a recurring theme, motif, or plot device commonly used in literature, film, and other storytelling mediums. It refers to a recognizable and often conventional element that helps shape the narrative and evoke specific responses from the audience. Tropes can include narrative structures, character types, or thematic concepts. While effective for storytelling, they may become clichéd if overused or not presented with originality.

The distinct style or tone of an author's writing, which can convey personality and emotion.

A draft or manuscript still under development and not yet complete.

A statement or question designed to inspire creative writing and help overcome writer's block.

Zombie Nouns: Nouns created from verbs, adjectives, or adverbs through nominalization. These nouns can make sentences more abstract and harder to understand, potentially obscuring meaning and reducing clarity.

Example:
Original: "The committee decided to investigate the issue."
Zombie Noun: "The committee made a decision to conduct an investigation of the issue."