Here’s a list of terms I got to know during my MA’s editorial and production module. Definitely get more familiar with these if you’re thinking of going into the publishing industry. For definitions and more terms check out these great resources:
HarperCollins’ Glossary of Book Publishing Terms
Typography Deconstructed – a comprehensive guide to the anatomy of type and their glossary
A short guide to book finishes
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During the module on Editorial Commissioning and Copyediting:
A Long tail
AI sheet
Backlist
Bibliographic info
Big data
Commissioning editor
Copyediting
DDA – Demand Driven Acquisition
Demi
Dump bins
Faceouts
Frontlist
Gross margin
AI sheet
Backlist
Bibliographic info
Big data
Commissioning editor
Copyediting
DDA – Demand Driven Acquisition
Demi
Dump bins
Faceouts
Frontlist
Gross margin
Gross profit
Half windows
List building
List management
Metadata
Monograph
MS – manuscript
Net profit
Netbook agreement
Networking
Nielsen
Open Access
Page extent
Half windows
List building
List management
Metadata
Monograph
MS – manuscript
Net profit
Netbook agreement
Networking
Nielsen
Open Access
Page extent
POD print on demand
Print runs
Proofread
Pulp
REF – Research Excellence Framework
Returns
Royal
Slush pile
Spine out
SWOT analysis
Target market
The value chain
Print runs
Proofread
Pulp
REF – Research Excellence Framework
Returns
Royal
Slush pile
Spine out
SWOT analysis
Target market
The value chain
During the module on Design and Production:
Actual dpi
Alignment
Asymmetrical balance
Balance
Baseline
Blurb
Cloth bound
CMYK
Colophon
Colour space
Colour wheel
Composition
Cutter guides
Diecuts
Display fonts
Distressed fonts
Dot count
Dpi
Drop cap
Drop folio
Alignment
Asymmetrical balance
Balance
Baseline
Blurb
Cloth bound
CMYK
Colophon
Colour space
Colour wheel
Composition
Cutter guides
Diecuts
Display fonts
Distressed fonts
Dot count
Dpi
Drop cap
Drop folio
Dust jacket
Effective dpi
Fibonacci spiral
Foil
Folio
Gloss lamination
Gsm
Gutter
Gutter
Half title page
Holo foil
Illustrative
Kerning
Ligature
Line length
Line spacing
Mass market paperback
Matt lamination
Measure
Microstock
Moiré pattern
Effective dpi
Fibonacci spiral
Foil
Folio
Gloss lamination
Gsm
Gutter
Gutter
Half title page
Holo foil
Illustrative
Kerning
Ligature
Line length
Line spacing
Mass market paperback
Matt lamination
Measure
Microstock
Moiré pattern
Packshot
Pantone
Paper laminate case
Photographic
Point size
ppi
Prelims
Printed paper case
Proofs
Quads pace
Raised cap
RGB
Rights managed
River (space between words)
Royalty free
Rule of threes
Run back/run down
Running heads
Sans serif
Serif
Single-story and double-story type
Pantone
Paper laminate case
Photographic
Point size
ppi
Prelims
Printed paper case
Proofs
Quads pace
Raised cap
RGB
Rights managed
River (space between words)
Royalty free
Rule of threes
Run back/run down
Running heads
Sans serif
Serif
Single-story and double-story type
Spiral bound
Spot colours
Spot UV
Strapline
Super matt
Symmetrical composition
System fonts
Target audience
Tipping in
Title page
Tracking
Trade paperback
Typeface (what you see) vs font (what you use)
Typographic hierarchy
Uncoated
Verso/recto
Visual hierarchy
White space
Wibalin
Widows/orphans
Spot colours
Spot UV
Strapline
Super matt
Symmetrical composition
System fonts
Target audience
Tipping in
Title page
Tracking
Trade paperback
Typeface (what you see) vs font (what you use)
Typographic hierarchy
Uncoated
Verso/recto
Visual hierarchy
White space
Wibalin
Widows/orphans
Reading between the Fonts 