what's a byline?

A byline is the traditional means by which an author receives credit for an original creative work.

A byline consists of the word by followed by the name of the author. Articles, important news items, critical reviews, and editorials in newspapers, magazines, books, or musical compositions are among the kinds of works that may bear a byline. A byline usually follows the headline or title of the work but it may be placed at the end.

A byline looks something like this:

Bylines are a great tradition in the newspaper and magazine publishing industry and elsewhere. A byline following an article signifies that something the author has written is worthy of publication:

• It demonstrates that an author is proud enough of his contribution to allow his name to be attached to it.
• It lets others know about something an author has accomplished.
• With a byline, an author takes responsibility for his work. Responsibility tends to engender integrity, veracity, and plausibility.
• Readers use bylines to identify the work of authors they respect, work they want to see.
• Bylines give an author credit for a richly deserved contribution.