Acronyms and Terms For Authors

When you first start publishing there are a LOT of acronyms or shortened terms that can pop up to confuse you. Some are related to books/readers, some are related to publishing. If there’s an acronym that isn’t here that you think should be added, just contact me!

  • ARC: Advance Reader Copy – A copy of a book (can be physical or digital) sent for free with the expectation that a review will be left after the official release.
  • ASIN: Amazon Standard Identification Number – A 10-digit code Amazon assigns to all books in its system.
  • AU: Alternate Universe – A universe that is similar but separate from the main/original universe.
  • Backlist: All books that an author has published.
  • Closed Door: A story is closed door when none of the sexy times are on the page. They are alluded to, but not written out. (Also see FTB.)
  • D2D: Draft to Digital Publishing. (See also the Publishing Sites page).
  • DNF: Did Not Finish – A way of saying a reader didn’t/couldn’t finish a book.
  • FMC: Female Main Character – The main female in a story. (There can be multiples.)
  • FTB: Fade To Black – A scene is FTB when the characters enjoy their sexy time behind closed doors (or not on the page).
  • HEA: Happy Ever After/Happily Ever After – A way of saying that a story ends with the main characters finding happiness. (Generally for romances.)
  • HFN: Happy For Now – When a story ends with the characters being happy for now. Generally used when there are more books in a series that involve the main characters.
  • Indie: Independent Writer – A writer who publishes their books without a publishing house.
  • IS: Ingram Spark publishing. (See also the Publishing Sites page).
  • ISBN: International Standard Book Number – A 13-digit code assigned to specific books and editions. A paperback and hardback of the same story will have DIFFERENT ISBNS.
  • ISO: In Search Of – A short way of requesting a type of story.
  • KDP: Kindle Direct Publishing – Amazon’s publishing platform. It is free to use and can be used to publish multiple formats of books. (See Publishing.)
  • KU – Kindle Unlimited – An opt-in program for eBooks published on KDB. (See Publishing.)
  • MC: Main Character – The main character in a story. There can be multiple main characters. (Romance stories will always have 2+.)
  • MG: Middle Grade – Books written for children ages 8-12.
  • MMC: Main Male Character – The main male in a story. (There can be multiples.)
  • Panster: Someone who writes without first plotting out a book. 
  • Permafree: An eBook that has been permanently set to $0.00. These are generally the first in a series, to try to draw interest to the series so readers will buy the other books in the series.
  • Plotter: Someone who plots out a book before beginning to write it.
  • PNR: Paranormal Romance – Romance that takes place on Earth but includes a fantasy element, such as vampires, shifters, witches, etc.
  • POD: Print On Demand – POD Printers will print your books as they are ordered, rather than stockpiling a large amount. (Such as Ingram Spark or KDP.)
  • POV: Point Of View – The perspective a story is told in. A multi-POV story is one where the story is told from the perspective of multiple characters.
  • Romantasy: Romance story that takes place in a made up world and includes fantasy aspects. 
  • SF: Sci-Fi – Stories with a science-fiction element to them.
  • Spicy: A spicy book is one that details the sexy time on the page. There are levels of spice, from no spice (also called Closed Door or FTB) to extreme spice. Often rated by chili peppers from 0 or 1 to 5, but what each rank means can vary from person to person.
  • Steamy: Another way of saying Spicy, but often denotes a lower level of spice.
  • TBR: To Be Read – Often used with ‘pile’, as in TBR pile, and is a list of books a reader has that they want to read but haven’t gotten around to reading yet.
  • TOC: Table Of Contents – The list of chapters and other sections in a book.
  • Trad: Traditionally Published – A way of referring to a writer who has had their books published by an established publishing house, or to a method of publishing. 
  • Trim: Trim Size is the size of the book (if you’re looking at the cover, so does not include the spine). The standards vary depending upon format and genre. (Hardcovers, for instance, are usually larger than paperbacks.) For reference, my paperbacks are 5″x8″.
  • Trope: A plot or characteristic in a plot that is common enough to be referenced. Some examples are enemies-to-lovers, damsel in distress, found family, and more.
  • TW: Trigger Warning – A way for an author to warn readers are a potentially upsetting plot point or scene in their book.
  • WIP: Work In Progress – A book that an author is currently working on.
  • YA: Young Adult – Books written for readers aged 12-18.