Amazon KDP Glossary: Understanding the Terms of Self-Publishing
Welcome to the comprehensive Amazon KDP Glossary, your essential guide to navigating the world of self-publishing. As a world-class reporter and WordPress editor, I’ve meticulously compiled this glossary to empower you with the knowledge you need to succeed in your self-publishing journey.
A-C
Advance Reading Copy (ARC): An unedited or early version of a book provided to reviewers or beta readers for feedback.
Amazon KDP: Amazon’s self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish and distribute their books worldwide.
Author Central: A free service provided by Amazon that gives authors control over their book listings and author profiles.
Book Blurb: A brief, compelling summary of a book used to entice readers and provide context.
Cover Design: The visual representation of a book’s exterior, including the front cover, back cover, and spine.
Copyright: The exclusive legal right to reproduce, distribute, adapt, or perform a creative work.
D-F
Draft: An incomplete or preliminary version of a manuscript.
E-book: A digital version of a book that can be read on electronic devices such as e-readers and tablets.
Formatting: The process of preparing a manuscript for publication, including setting margins, fonts, and page layout.
Fiverr: A freelance marketplace where authors can hire designers, editors, and other professionals for affordable services.
G-I
Galley Proof: A final version of a book sent to reviewers or authors for final corrections before publication.
Genre: A category that a book falls into based on its subject matter, style, or tone.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number): A unique 13-digit number assigned to each book to identify it internationally.
Index: An alphabetical list of important terms or topics in a book, along with their page numbers.
Indie Author: An author who self-publishes their books without the support of a traditional publisher.
J-L
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Amazon’s self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish and distribute their books to Kindle devices and other platforms.
Kindle Unlimited: Amazon’s subscription service that gives readers access to a vast library of e-books and audiobooks for a monthly fee.
Landing Page: A web page designed to capture leads or promote a specific product or service.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) Data: Metadata about a book that is provided by the Library of Congress and included in the book’s copyright record.
M-O
Manuscript: The written or typed text of a book before it is formatted and published.
Metadata: Data about a book that helps readers find and understand it, including the title, author, genre, and keywords.
Nook Press: Barnes & Noble’s self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish and distribute their books to Nook devices and other platforms.
Onyx Boox: A brand of e-readers that are popular among indie authors and readers.
P-R
Page Count: The number of pages in a book.
Paperbacks: Books with soft covers made of paper or cardstock.
Print-on-Demand (POD): A printing method where books are printed as they are ordered, reducing waste and inventory costs.
Proofreading: The process of carefully reviewing a manuscript to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
S-U
Self-Editing: The process of editing a manuscript without the help of a professional editor.
Self-Publishing: The process of publishing a book without the support of a traditional publisher.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Techniques used to improve the visibility and ranking of a website or book in search engine results.
Subtitle: A short phrase that provides additional information about a book’s content or purpose.
Target Audience: The specific group of readers that an author is aiming to reach with their book.
V-Z
Vanity Press: A publisher that charges authors a fee to publish their books, often with little or no editorial support.
Wide Distribution: The distribution of a book to multiple retailers and platforms, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
Writing Prompt: A topic or idea that inspires an author to write a story or article.
Zero-Draft: The first draft of a manuscript, written without editing or revision.
