Glossary
We’ve curated a glossary of terms regarding all things writing and publishing related. From commonly-used terms to abbreviations, our glossary will guide writers and people starting out in publishing, to cut through the jargon and gain a better understanding.
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Inspection copy
A copy of a publication sent or given with time allowed for a decision to purchase or return it. In academic publishing, lecturers can request inspection copies to decide whether to make a book/textbook recommended reading or adopt it as a core textbook for their course.
Order fulfilment
This can involve receiving, processing and invoicing orders for books as well as warehousing, distribution, shipping and delivery to customers and retailers.
PLR
Public Lending Right (PLR) is a programme which compensates authors for loss of sales from their books being made available in libraries. It allows authors to be fairly paid for each library loan. Authors can register here: https://www.bl.uk/plr
Print-on-demand (POD)
The facility to print and bind books at short notice without the need for a large print run, using digital technology. When an order comes through, a digital file of the book can be printed automatically and individually.
Proof
A bound set of uncorrected reading proofs used by the sales team of a publishing house and as early review copies.