Here are a couple of definitions of “book” from the Web:

  • a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together); “I am reading a good book on economics“
  • physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together; “he used a large book as a doorstop”

But if you think about it, you’ll realize that not every object that matches those definitions is considered a book. One big determining factor: Binding.

A saddle-stitched pamphlet–a stack of sheets folded in the middle and stapled–is not usually recognized as a book. Publications with spiral or comb bindings are generally not called books. Material distributed on 3-hole paper in binders is not typically regarded as a book.

Why does this matter? Because a book is written by an author, and an author is assumed to be an authority. A booklet is written by a pamphleteer, not by an author. A workbook or action guide is recognized as coming from a teacher, not from an author.

So if you want to be an author, your writing must be published as a book. The simplest distinguishing factor of a book is that it has a spine. And it is good if the spine has letters on it.

I’ve seen 120-page booklets; the people who wrote them are not considered authors. I’ve seen frankly lousy 48-page books that had a spine; their writers are authors.

It’s not particularly reasonable, but it is a fact of our culture.

So if you want to be an author, you must produce a book. With a spine.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Filed under: book love • book printing • book writing • publishing

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!