Sprung is a term used in the book publishing industry to describe the moment when a book is “set in motion” and heads towards publication. It is the point at which the various elements of production – editorial, design, production, marketing, and sales – all come together to bring a book to life.
Sprung is a term used in the book publishing industry to describe the process of a book’s publication. It is the moment when a book goes from being an idea or manuscript to a physical, published book. The term is most often used when referring to the publication of a debut author’s book.
The term “sprung” is derived from the printing process. In the days before digital printing, books were printed using a “spring” system. A large cylinder, called a “platen,” was placed over the type, and a heavy roller, called a “chase,” was placed on top of the platen. Then, a large sheet of paper was placed on top of the chase and the entire assembly was rolled through a press. The pressure of the press would transfer the ink from the type onto the paper.
The term “sprung” came to refer to the moment when a book went from being an idea or manuscript to a physical, published book because it was at that moment that the book was “set in type” and “put to press.”
The concept of Sprung is particularly relevant in today’s publishing landscape, where more and more books are being published electronically. While the process of setting type and printing books has remained largely unchanged for centuries, the process of creating a digital book is much more complex.
Sprung is an important book for many reasons. It is one of the first books to be published by a Black author in the United States. It is also one of the first books to be published by an African American press. Sprung is also important because it is one of the first books to be written about the Black experience in the United States.