author's alteration
SpecialisedTechnical/Professional
Definition
Meaning
A change made to typeset text by the author, typically after the proofreading stage.
An amendment made by the originator (author, creator) of a text or document after it has been set in type, formatted, or prepared for final publication, for which they bear the cost.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A specific term from the publishing industry. It distinguishes changes made by the author (for which they are usually charged) from corrections of errors introduced by the typesetter or publisher (which are corrected at the publisher's expense). The term's meaning hinges on who initiated the change and the stage of production.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily identical in meaning and use. The contracted form 'AA' is used in both markets.
Connotations
The term carries the same connotation of potential cost and responsibility in both dialects.
Frequency
Almost exclusively used within professional publishing and printing contexts in both the UK and the US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The publisher will charge for + [author's alterations]Mark the changes as + [author's alteration][Author's alterations] + incurred a feeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the author's dime (colloquial extension meaning at the author's expense)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used on invoices and in contracts between authors and publishers to specify billable changes.
Academic
Used in scholarly publishing when an author requests changes to proofs.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard, essential term in publishing, typesetting, and graphic design workflows.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The changes were charged as they were author's-altered after the proof stage.
American English
- The last-minute edits will be author's-altered and billed separately.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is not typically taught at A2 level.
- The author made a small change, but it was not a mistake.
- The publisher sent a bill for the author's alterations made to the final proofs.
- Although the typesetter had faithfully reproduced the manuscript, the numerous author's alterations in the galley proofs significantly increased the book's production costs.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember: **A**uthor **A**lways pays for an **A**uthor's **A**lteration (AA).
Conceptual Metaphor
COSTS ARE BURDENS / ERRORS ARE DEVIATIONS FROM A PATH
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'авторское изменение', which is too broad. The Russian professional equivalent is often 'авторская правка' but this lacks the specific contractual nuance of cost-bearing.
- Do not confuse with 'корректура' (proofreading corrections), which typically refers to fixing mistakes, not making new changes.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'author's correction' to mean the same thing (it can blur the distinction between correcting a typo and making a new change).
- Assuming it applies to changes made at the manuscript stage, whereas it specifically applies post-typesetting.
Practice
Quiz
In publishing, who typically bears the cost of an 'author's alteration'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Correcting a typo introduced by the typesetter is a 'printer's error' and is free. An 'author's alteration' is a substantive change to the original text made by the author after typesetting.
The standard abbreviation is 'AA', often written in the margins of proofs to mark such changes.
Yes, by approving the final manuscript before it is typeset and by minimising changes once you receive the proofs. Careful writing and reviewing at earlier stages are key.
Yes, the concept persists. While the physical 'typesetting' stage may be less distinct, the principle remains: changes requested by the author after a certain agreed stage in the production process may incur additional costs.