Reference shelf

Publishing terms, plainly explained.

A concise glossary for planning meetings, editorial handoffs, and production conversations.

Assignment brief

A short document defining the intended reader, angle, sources, deadline, and editor for a piece.

Alt text

A text alternative that describes an informative image for people who cannot see it.

Archive

The browsable collection of a publication’s past work, usually grouped by topic or date.

Byline

The name or credit identifying the writer of a published piece.

CMS

Content management system: software used to create, edit, organize, and publish website content.

Copyedit

A review for consistency, grammar, spelling, style, and factual details after structural edits.

Corrections note

A visible record of a substantive factual change made after publication.

Deck

A short line beneath a headline that explains the subject or reason to read.

Developmental edit

A review of the argument, structure, omissions, and audience fit of a whole work.

Editorial calendar

A shared schedule showing planned pieces, owners, stages, and release dates.

Evergreen content

Material designed to remain useful over time, with periodic review as needed.

Imprint

The publishing name associated with a book or collection of editions.

Issue

A collected edition of a magazine, journal, or newsletter released as one unit.

Metadata

Descriptive information such as title, author, subject, date, and format used to identify a work.

Proof

A near-final version checked in the actual release format before publication.

Slug

The readable part of a web address identifying a page, often based on its title.

Sponsorship

A paid relationship in which a brand supports a publication or placement, disclosed to readers.

Style guide

The publication’s shared decisions on spelling, capitalization, terms, citations, and presentation.

Syndication

An arrangement for publishing a work or feed through another outlet under agreed terms.

Version control

A way to track which draft or production file is current and what changed between versions.

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