Self-Publishing Terms That Start With P

A paperback is a type of physical print book bound by a soft cover. Paperbacks are typically thinner and more flexible than hardcover books.

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The passive voice is a grammatical sentence structure in which the subject receives the action described by the verb instead of performing the action. Sentences using passive voice often have a weak or vague tone and may be less engaging for readers.

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A pen name is a pseudonym used by an author in place of their real name. Pen names are commonly used to protect the author's privacy or maintain a sense of anonymity.

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Plagiarism is the act of taking another person's ideas, words, or other creative work and presenting them as one's own. It is considered a form of intellectual theft and may result in legal action or consequence.

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A plot is the sequence of events in a literary work that advance the story and develop the work’s themes, settings, and characters.

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A plot hole is a gap in a story's plotline that can damage its sense of believability and cause readers to feel disengaged. This includes inconsistent content such as illogical, improbable, or impossible events and statements.

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Plot points are significant events or moments in a story's plotline that have a major impact on the narrative as a whole. These key events typically involve major changes in the story, such as character development, unexpected twists, turns, or shifts in tone or setting.

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A plot twist is a surprising change or unexpected turn in the storyline of a written work. These twists often subvert the reader's expectations and can be used to create dramatic tension and build narrative momentum.

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Poetry is a type of writing that uses rhythmic language, imagery, and figurative language to convey ideas and feelings. Poetry often explores themes such as love, loss, beauty, pain, or nature in a highly metaphorical or symbolic way.

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Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. There are three main points of view: first person, second person, and third person. Each point of view conveys the story in a unique way and comes with its own strengths and weaknesses.

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Prewriting is the first stage of the writing process in which authors plan and organize their ideas before the actual writing begins. This may include activities such as outlining, researching, sketching, brainstorming, or plotting out character development.

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A print run is the number of copies of a book that are printed at one time. The size of a print run can vary widely depending on the author, publisher, and market demand.

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Print-on-demand is a printing method in which books are only printed as soon as an order is made rather than being produced in a set quantity in advance.

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A prologue is an introductory section at the beginning of a story or novel that sets the stage for the main narrative to follow. It may include backstory, context, or other relevant information that helps readers understand what has happened before the main plot and prepares them for upcoming events.

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A proof copy is a version of a book that is sent to the author or publisher to review before the final release.

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Proofreading is the final stage of editing in which an author or editor reviews a piece of writing for correct word choice, grammar, spelling, verb tense, and other important elements.

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The protagonist is the central character in a story or narrative. In many cases, the protagonist drives the plot forward and faces significant challenges, obstacles, and conflicts they must overcome.

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