Sprung is the term used in book publishing to describe when a book begins its journey toward publication. At this point, all production elements, including editorial, design, production, marketing, and sales, come together to bring the book to life.
Sprung is a term commonly used within the book publishing industry to refer to the publication process. It refers to when an idea or manuscript becomes a physical book for sale on shelves; typically, this terminology relates to debut author books being released into circulation.
The term “sprung” derives from the printing process. Before digital printing became prevalent, books were printed using a “spring” system; a large cylinder known as a “platen,” placed over type, was connected by springs to a heavy roller known as a chase and eventually loaded with paper; all this would then be put through a press where pressure from that press would transfer ink from type to paper through pressure transference.
“Sprung” refers to when an idea or manuscript transforms into a physical, published book as it is put through typesetting and press production.
Furthermore, “sprung” has particular relevance in today’s publishing landscape, where more books than ever before are published electronically. While setting type and printing books have been unchanged for centuries, creating digital books requires significantly more complex processes.
Sprung is an essential book for multiple reasons. It is one of the first works published by an African-American author in America and by an African-American press, respectively, and written about Black life here.