Reauthoring

Reauthoring is the process of creating a new version of a work by assembling existing content into a new structure or package, often with additional features or delivery formats. It involves reorganizing, updating, or repackaging materials rather than composing new content from scratch.

In media production, reauthoring is widely used for disc releases, streaming packages, or archival projects. It covers tasks such as creating new navigation menus, chapterization, subtitle and audio track configurations, and integrating extras. It can also involve adapting a release for different regions or platforms.

In publishing and documentation, reauthoring can refer to revising or reorganizing a manuscript or help system for a new edition, locale, or audience, while preserving the original intellectual property. It may include updating references, restructuring sections, and improving accessibility or searchability.

The process generally involves inventorying assets, planning a new structure, assembling content into the required format, configuring metadata and localization, and conducting quality control. It is distinct from editing in that it emphasizes the packaging, navigation, and delivery framework rather than wholesale changes to the core material.

Reauthoring can affect how a work is experienced or accessed, so clear documentation of changes and careful attention to provenance, licensing, and platform compatibility are important. It is commonly used to refresh, repurpose, or extend a work for new audiences or distribution channels.