Should a glossary be included with a novel?

One way is to compare them with existing known words in the glossary. If a word has a unique meaning, usage, or origin that is not common among the other words, it can be labeled as novel. For example, if most of the words in the glossary are common English words but there is a newly coined technical term, that would likely be novel.

First, list all the unique terms in your fantasy novel, like magic spells, special races, and strange places. Then, write a brief and clear definition for each term. For example, if you have a 'Dragonkin' in your story, you can say 'Dragonkin: A race with part - dragon heritage, often possessing dragon - like abilities such as breathing fire or having enhanced strength.'

One challenge is the lack of a clear standard. What might seem novel to one person could be familiar to another depending on their background knowledge. Another challenge is dealing with words that have multiple meanings. Some meanings could be common while others are novel, making it difficult to simply label the word as novel or not.

The outline of a novel should typically include the main characters. For example, their names, personalities, and goals. It should also have the major plot points like the inciting incident that starts the story, the rising action which builds tension, and the climax which is the most intense part of the story.

It depends. If the novel references a lot of real historical sources, a bibliography could be helpful. But for some fictionalized accounts, it might not be necessary.

A summary of a novel usually has the main characters, the key plot points, and the overall theme.

The contractions to include in a novel often depend on the genre and the voice you want to give to your story. 'It'll' or 'they've' could be suitable if they match the overall style and help engage the readers.

It could include explanations of difficult words or cultural references, or maybe author's comments on certain plot points.

A glossary in fiction books is important as it helps readers understand unusual or specialized terms. For example, if a story is set in a particular historical period or a fictional world with unique languages or concepts, the glossary clarifies these for the reader. It enhances the reading experience by removing confusion and allowing the reader to fully immerse in the story without getting stuck on unknown words.

In a glossary for a fantasy novel, you should include all the unique terms from your fictional world. This includes names of characters, places, and things that are not part of the real world. You also need to give a proper explanation for each term. For instance, if there is a 'Flying City' in your novel, you should explain how it flies, who built it, and what its significance is in the story. Additionally, you might want to add any related terms or synonyms. So if you have a 'Dark Mage' and also use the term 'Necromancer' in a similar context, link them in the glossary.