Writing has its own lingo, and when you’re new, it can feel like everyone else speaks “writer” while you are left wondering what those jargons mean. If you’ve ever nodded along in a conversation about publishing while silently Googling terms, then yep, this post is definitely for you. Words like beta reader, royalties, or imprint might make you scratch your head when you are a new writer. Hence, this guide breaks down the most common writing and publishing terms so you can finally talk about your work without second-guessing what anything means.
Why You Should Learn the Language of Writing
You don’t need to memorize a publishing dictionary, but having a working knowledge of the basics makes everything easier. Knowing key writing vocabulary for authors helps you:
- Communicate clearly with editors, agents, and fellow writers
- Avoid common beginner mistakes (like thinking a synopsis is just a short blurb)
- Navigate self-publishing platforms or contracts without feeling lost
- Understand the feedback you get in writing groups or workshops
Common Writing Terms For Beginners
These are a set of explained writing terms for beginners to have a better understanding.
Manuscript
Your manuscript is your written work in its raw or refined form and is the version you prepare before it’s published. When someone says, “Send me your manuscript,” they mean your completed or near-complete piece, ready for feedback, editing, or submission.
Genre
Genre simply refers to the category your writing belongs to. Knowing your genre helps agents, editors, and readers understand what to expect from your work. It’s also a way of positioning your book within the literary marketplace so it reaches the right audience. For example: poetry, memoir, fantasy, romance, mystery, science fiction, thriller, and historical fiction
POV (Point of View)
POV determines who is telling your story. It might be first person (“I walked into the room”), third person (“She walked into the room”), or even second person (“You walked into the room”). Understanding POV helps you decide how close readers will feel to your characters or narrator.
Narrative Voice
Narrative voice is your story’s personality or basically the vibe of your storytelling. It’s not about who’s telling the story (that would be point of view), but about how they tell it. It is the distinct tone that runs through your writing. Is the voice casual and chatty? Quiet and reflective? Humorous? Sharp and cynical? That tone runs through every sentence and shapes how readers connect with the story.
You can think of it like this: two people could tell the same story, but the way they tell it would feel completely different. Let’s say the story is: “A woman walks into an abandoned house and hears a strange noise.”
Here’s how that might sound with two different voices:
Casual voice:
“She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Dust everywhere. Creepy as hell. Then something creaked upstairs, and yeah — she was out.”
Moody, lyrical voice:
“The house exhaled dust as she entered, each floorboard whispering secrets beneath her feet. Then — a groan from above. Something, or someone, was waiting.”
Same story. Totally different feel.
Beta Reader
A beta reader is like a trusted first audience for your manuscript. This is someone who reads your work before it’s published. They give you honest, reader-level feedback on plot, pacing, or flow. They are not editors, but people who help you understand how your story comes across, from a reader’s perspective. Beta readers help you spot what’s confusing or inconsistent, long before your book reaches the public.
Synopsis
A synopsis is a concise summary of your story from beginning to end. It tells the whole story, including the ending. It’s not a teaser or a back cover blurb. It’s the full rundown. It’s often requested by agents or publishers to evaluate your book’s structure and flow. It shows them how your story unfolds and whether it holds together from start to finish. Writing one forces you to see the “bones” of your story.
If your novel was a movie, the synopsis would be what you’d tell someone who hasn’t seen it but needs to understand exactly what happens, beginning to end.
Blurb
A blurb is that short paragraph you see on the back of a book or in the online listing. It is what makes readers decide whether to read your book or not. A good blurb doesn’t give away the whole plot. Instead, it sets up the main character, the central conflict, and just enough intrigue to make the reader want more.
Important: A blurb is not the same as a synopsis. A blurb is short, punchy, and used to market your book. A synopsis is longer and gives away the whole story. It’s written for agents or publishers, not readers.
Character Arc
A character arc is the internal journey a character goes through over the course of the story. It’s how they grow, change, or shift as events unfold.
In the beginning, your character usually has a flaw, belief, fear, or weakness. As the plot challenges them, they’re forced to confront those things, and by the end, they’re different (for better or worse). For example, a selfish man could learn to care about others. Or a fearful woman could learn to be courageous.
Draft and Revision
A draft is your story in progress, and the unpolished version you shape and reshape as you write. Revision is your editing process: tightening structure, improving dialogue, and refining language. Most writers go through multiple drafts before they feel ready to share their manuscript with others.
Word Count
Word count is simply the number of words in your manuscript.
“Show, Don’t Tell”
This is one of the most famous pieces of writing advice. It means revealing emotion and action through what readers can see, hear, or feel, rather than explaining it outright. Instead of saying “She was sad,” you might write, “She pressed her sleeve against her eyes and said nothing.” It’s involves evoking emotion, not labeling it.
Editing Stages
Editing happens in several rounds, each with a different purpose. Developmental editing focuses on structure, pacing, and content Line editing refines the flow and language of your sentences. Copyediting corrects grammar, consistency, and clarity. Finally, proofreading catches the last typos before printing. Together, they turn a draft into a polished, professional book.
WIP (Work in Progress)
WIP refers to any writing project you’re currently working on but haven’t yet finished.
Common Book Publishing Terms
These are publishing terms explained in simple words.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
An ISBN is like your book’s fingerprint. It is a unique 13-digit number that identifies your book and each edition you publish. Whether your book is a paperback, hardcover, or eBook, each format needs its own ISBN. It helps bookstores, libraries, and distributors track and catalog your book globally. If you self-publish, you can buy your own ISBN (to be listed as the publisher) or use a free one from self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP.
Imprint
An imprint is the name under which a book is published, sort of like your publishing identity or brand. Traditional publishers have multiple imprints (e.g., Penguin Classics, Harper Perennial), while self-published authors can create their own. For indie authors, naming your imprint gives your book a professional touch and makes you appear as an independent publisher.
Copyright
Copyright is your legal claim of ownership over your creative work. It protects your book, poems, or articles from being copied or distributed without permission. The moment you write something original, it’s automatically protected by copyright, but registering it formally (in some countries) provides stronger legal protection if disputes arise.
Royalty
A royalty is the percentage of each book sale you earn as the author. The rate depends on your publishing path. Traditional publishers often pay around 10–15% of net sales, while self-publishing platforms can offer up to 70%. It’s your reward for the creative labor that brought your book into the world.
Advance
An advance is money a publisher pays you upfront when they agree to publish your book. It’s essentially an advance payment of your future royalties. You don’t start earning royalties until your book’s sales have earned back the amount of your advance. This is with traditional publishing. Self-publishing pays only after sales occur.
Distribution
Distribution is how your book reaches readers. I could be through online retailers, physical bookstores, or libraries. Traditional publishers handle this for you, but self-published authors must choose platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Draft2Digital to get their books into stores. The wider your distribution, the greater your book’s potential reach.
Print-on-Demand (POD)
Print-on-demand means your book is printed only when someone orders it. There’s no need to buy boxes of copies upfront. This model, used by Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, saves costs and storage while keeping your book always “in stock.” It’s helpful for independent authors who want their books accessible to readers without the risk of overprinting.
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
In traditional publishing, you submit your manuscript to a publisher (often through an agent), and if accepted, they handle editing, cover design, printing, and distribution, in exchange for a share of the profits. Self-publishing, on the other hand, puts you in charge of everything: creative control, costs, and royalties. Both paths have advantages and it all depends on your goals, resources, and independence as an author. I explain this in my post Traditional Publishing Vs Self-Publishing.
eBook
An eBook is the digital version of a book that can be read on devices like Kindles, tablets, phones, or computers. It’s usually published in formats such as EPUB, MOBI, or PDF, depending on where it’s distributed. eBooks make publishing accessible for independent authors, since they don’t require printing costs and can reach readers globally in seconds. I explain more on book formats in my blog post File Formats For Writers Explained.
Metadata
Metadata is the behind-the-scenes information tied to your book that helps readers find your book online. It includes your title, subtitle, author name, keywords, book description, and even your ISBN. When optimized well, metadata improves your book’s visibility in search results and recommendation lists. In other words, it’s how your book gets discovered.
ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number)
The ASIN is Amazon’s internal tracking number for eBooks. Every Kindle edition published through Amazon KDP automatically receives one. While your ISBN identifies your book globally, your ASIN identifies it specifically within Amazon’s ecosystem. The two work together to keep your listings organized.
Book Launch
A book launch is the period surrounding your book’s release. It is a time of active promotion and celebration. It often includes cover reveals, giveaways, online readings, and launch events (live online or physical). A good launch plan helps your book gain visibility, build momentum, and attract early readers who spread the word.
ARC Reviews (Advance Review Copies)
ARC reviews come from readers who receive early copies of your published book (either in print or digital form) before the official release date. Their reviews help generate buzz and credibility for your launch. Gathering ARC feedback on sites like Netgalley or Booksirens can make a big difference in how your book performs once it’s live.
Speak the Language of Writers
The more familiar you are with these book publishing terms, the easier it is to communicate with other writers and with publishers. Knowing these words means you can confidently discuss your work, ask the right questions, and make informed choices about your writing career.
And now, you don’t just write. You speak the language of writers.
