S   

Saddle Stitching

 The process of securing and binding the pages of a publication through the center fold with wire staples. The term "saddle" derives from the saddle of the binding machine.

San

 It stands for "Standard Account Number." A number assigned to libraries, schools and organizations that buy, sell or lend books.

Sans Serif

 Typeface that is straight with no serifs or small extensions on letters, generally used for headers.

Sase

 stamped self-addressed envelope. This should be included with all submitted articles, proposals and manuscripts.

Scarce

 Traditionally, a "scarce" publication isn't as hard to find as a rare publication, but might take a few years to locate.

Scuffed

 Refers to condition; the binding or cover has been scraped and might look rough or slightly frayed in places.

Self-Publish

 One's written works made public by oneself.

Self-Published

 produced by the author.

Sequel

 a continuation of an earlier book.

Serialization

 A work of fiction that is printed in successive parts first in a magazine and then in book form, or is printed as a book and then printed in successive parts in a magazine.

Series Author

 An author whose work consists of series titles. Kevin J. Anderson, author of Star Wars; Young Jedi Knights, is an example.

Series Title

 A collective title for a successive group of publications with a common theme or subject, which are usually published by the same publisher but not necessarily by the same author. Star Wars, Sweet Valley High, and Goosebumps are examples of series titles.

Serif

 The fine line that extends from the top and bottom of letters making them easier to read, used for the body text of a book.

Set

 A group of publications with a common theme that are released, usually at the same time, by one publisher. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (12 Volume Set) by Charlotte Porter and Helen A. Clarke (eds.) is an example.

Sewn

 A pamphlet that has been sewn together and was not originally bound with boards. Offprints are typically sewn.

Shaken

 Refers to condition; a cloth or leather bound book that is loose in its covers but is still attached to its binding.

Sheep

 A common, inexpensive binding material that was used primarily for children's books, verse, and other small books.

Sheet Music

 Compositions printed on unbound paper.

Shelf Worn

 Refers to condition; the book shows visible signs of wearing on the binding and/or edges due to numerous removals and placements on countless shelves.

Sidebar

 a column appended to an article, often boxed, that offers additional, related information.

Signature

 A group of folded pages that, when bound and trimmed with other signatures, form a book or pamphlet. Also known as gathering. Also refers to a person's self-handwritten name (autograph signature).

Signature

 Large sheets of paper printed in multiples of four that when folded and trimmed become the pages in the book.

Slipcase

 A box open on one side so that when a book is slipped into it, the spine shows.

Soft Cover

 Typically is synonymous with paperback, but it can also describe a book with a limp cover or a flex-cover.

Solander Case

 A box used to preserve books; the back is hinged so the front falls down and is kept closed by a latch. It was invented by an assistant librarian, Daniel Charles Solander (1732-1782), for the preservation of botanical specimens in the British Museum.

Spine

 The part of the book opposite of the opening, which is visible when the book is shelved. Also known as back, backstrip, and shelfback. See book anatomy section for illustration.

Spine

 The binding on the side of a book.

Spine Lean

 See cocked.

Spiralbound

 An inexpensive type of binding utilizing wire or plastic coils as the spine. It is an increasingly popular way for small publishers to publish a work or for an author to quickly self-publish. Known also as comb or coil bound.

Sprung

 Refers to condition; the text block is separate from its binding.

Stamping

 See blind stamp.

Stapled

 A binding method that uses metal staples to secure the pages, typically for binding magazines and pamphlets. Also known as saddle stitching.

Started

 Refers to condition; a portion of the pages are protruding beyond the fore-edge of the book. The pages are coming loose from the binding but are still attached. Not as loose as shaken. The most common use is to describe a condition that "starting" to happen, for instance, a crack that's beginning to happen to a hinge.

State

 Minor changes made to a portion of the edition during the manufacturing stage and before all of the books were complete and released. The changes can be intentional. For example, a different state may be caused by a correction in the text or illustrations, an insertion of cancels or advertisements, or a different paper used without the intention of creating a separate issue. The changes can also be accidental; for example, a variation in the text or illustrations might occur during the printing. The term does not refer to condition.

Stitched Binding

 Sewing, through the center fold by means of thread, was done to secure the signatures and to bind the publication.

Straight Grain Morocco

 Morocco leather with an artificial straight-line pattern, which is usually used in more expensive bindings.

Stripping

 Positioning all the pieces of the layout on large sheets of paper to construct the templates.

Stub

 a narrow strip of paper on the inside margin, between leaves of a book. Usually evidence that a plate or other matter has been removed or that there is an illustration attached into the binding.

Subsidiary Rights

 Additional rights, such as foreign, audio, serial to publish a book in a different form. The American Library Association provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarians.

Subsidiary Rights (Sub Rights)

 sales of rights in the book for foreign translation, first serial, audio, electronic, film, book club, etc.

Subsidy Press Or Vanity Press

 A publishing company that offers publication services for a fee, holds the copyright to the book and uses their own ISBN, but does not generally promote or market the book.

Subtitle

 A secondary and explanatory title used to explain more about the book.

Sunned

 Refers to condition; the pages or dust jacket is faded from exposure to sunlight.

Suppressed

 A part of a book that was held back after being published; i.e, a chapter that existed in the first printing, does not appear in the second. It also can describe an entire publication withdrawn from circulation, because of various reasons including political, legal, or perhaps the belated regrets of the author.