As a self-publisher, the responsibility of creating a copyright page falls on your shoulders, unlike in traditional publishing where publishers handle it for you. Fear not, for this guide is here to help you navigate the often-complicated process of copyright page creation, making it easier and more straightforward.
The guide will include:
- Copyright page templates designed for your convenience
- A thorough explanation of each element on the page
- The importance of every element and examples for your reference
And the best part? This guide aims to instill confidence in self-publishers like yourself, empowering you to create and protect your book’s copyright page without a hitch.
This article is just one piece of a larger series, each of which focuses on different parts of book creation. As you follow along, you’ll find that this comprehensive guide covers everything from the purpose and necessity of a copyright page, to FAQs and even templates that simplify the process for you.
However, one important disclaimers must be mentioned:
The information provided in this article should not be considered as legal advice. It’s always a good idea to consult with a legal professional for specific concerns.
What a Copyright Page Does
Asserting your intellectual property rights is vital in the world of book publishing, and that’s where the copyright page comes into play. This crucial page ensures that your book is recognized as copyrighted material and not part of the public domain.
The copyright page is more than just a legal formality. It contains valuable information for:
- Distributors
- Librarians
- Retailers
- Booksellers
Located in the front matter, on the back of the title page (also known as the verso), the copyright page includes various elements, each with a specific purpose.
One of the primary functions of the copyright page is to provide publisher or author information to help readers find more books by the same author or publisher. This is particularly important for self-published authors who want to create a strong connection with their readers. They can even include their author website on the copyright page, making it easier for readers to explore their other works.
Another crucial component is a disclaimer. This simple statement can help absolve authors from potential legal liability that may arise due to the content of their book. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Lastly, the copyright page often contains the edition number and printer’s key. While these details might seem insignificant now, they can be quite relevant for book collectors in the future.
In essence, the copyright page is more than just a legal declaration. It serves multiple purposes and holds valuable information for various stakeholders in the world of books. So, make sure your copyright page is well-structured and informative, paving the way for a successful and legally protected self-publishing journey.
Is a Copyright Page Even Important?
Yes! Adding a copyright page to your book provides an extra layer of protection and is highly recommended, regardless of the book’s genre or format. Although a book is considered copyrighted from the moment it’s written, even without a copyright page, including one offers several benefits:
- Easier ownership proof: A copyright page can make it simpler to prove ownership in a court of law, should any disputes arise.
- Discourage plagiarism: Having a copyright page signals that the work is protected and can deter potential plagiarists.
Legal Disclaimers
Incorporating legal disclaimers on your copyright page can help absolve authors of responsibility for certain aspects of the book. This can be particularly useful if your book contains sensitive or controversial material.
Minimum Requirements and Additional Elements
At the very least, a copyright page should include a copyright notice and a rights reserved notice. However, you can choose to add extra elements based on your preferences or specific requirements.
Have Some Templates!
I’ve found a number of templates around, but these come specifically from the good folks at Kindlepreneur, who, as always, have a number of great resources for authors. These templates are also used in Atticus to great effect (more on them later):
The Basic Copyright Template:
Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
General Fiction Copyright Template
Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [include publisher/author contact info].
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Book Cover by [Artist]
Illustrations by [Illustrator]
[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]
General Nonfiction Copyright Template
Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in rendering legal, investment, accounting or other professional services. While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional when appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, personal, or other damages.
Book Cover by [Artist]
Illustrations by [Illustrator]
[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]
Public Domain Copyright Template
[Source Material Title] is in the public domain. All original additions, including illustrations and chapter summaries, are copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name] and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Book Cover by [Artist]
Illustrations by [Illustrator]
[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]
Memoir Copyright Template
Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [include publisher/author contact info].
For privacy reasons, some names, locations, and dates may have been changed.
Book Cover by [Artist]
Illustrations by [Illustrator]
[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]
Low or No Content Copyright Template
Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Cover by [Artist]
Illustrations by [Illustrator]
How to Format a Copyright Page
Creating a copyright page isn’t as simple as typing out the required information. Special formatting is necessary, and some software may not handle it automatically. It’s crucial to place the copyright page after the title page, align the text to the bottom-left (for print), and use a smaller font size than the rest of the book.
Manual Formatting with Word Processors
If you’re using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, manual formatting will be required, which can be both time-consuming and challenging. These word processors don’t have built-in capabilities for formatting copyright pages, so you’ll need to invest extra effort to ensure your page looks professional.
Atticus: The Solution for Formatting Copyright Pages
Fortunately, there’s a program called Atticus that streamlines the process of formatting copyright pages. With built-in templates designed specifically for this purpose, Atticus simplifies copyright page creation:
- Users can select a suitable template from the available options
- Input their specific information into the template
- Generate a well-formatted and professional-looking copyright page
With Atticus, you no longer need to struggle with manual formatting for your copyright page. By leveraging its user-friendly templates, you can create a polished, properly formatted copyright page with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – crafting an engaging and successful book.
Copyright Page Elements
- Copyright notice (required): The copyright notice is one of the two essential components of a copyright page, which provides the public with information about the publisher, publication date, and copyright status. The notice should include the copyright symbol, the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright holder (which can be a pen name or company name). If the books are written and/or published under an LLC or sole proprietorship, the company can be listed as the copyright owner. Using the company address can provide legal and physical protection, and more information on creating a publishing company is available.
- Rights reserved notice (required): The rights reserved notice is the second required element on a copyright page, and it can be as simple as stating “All rights reserved” or more specific and assertive. The combination of the copyright notice and “All Rights Reserved” is sufficient to complete the copyright page. Examples of rights reserved notices include simple statements, more detailed descriptions of the reserved rights, and contact information for permission requests.
- ISBN: An ISBN is a unique identifier used by the publishing industry to distinguish your book from others, and it is listed on the copyright page. Although not all books require an ISBN, most do. Each format of your book requires a separate ISBN, and self-publishers must obtain an ISBN just like any other publisher. Different countries have their own ISBN issuing agencies, and buying a set of 10 ISBNs can provide a discount if planning to publish multiple books or versions.
- Library of Congress Control Number: The Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is a free number that facilitates library cataloging of your book and is necessary if you want your book to be shelved in libraries. Authors can apply online to the Preassigned Control Number (PCN) program to obtain an LCCN, which is different from the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) data block. The LCCN is typically listed on the book’s copyright page.
- Disclaimers: Disclaimers are statements that deny responsibility for specific aspects of a book and can protect the writer and publisher from potential liability. Disclaimers have become more common due to an increasingly litigious society, and some genres may require specific language to comply with regulations. Sample disclaimer language can be found in books of the same genre published by traditional companies with legal staff. Disclaimers do not need to be lengthy but can save trouble in the future. Examples of disclaimers include statements on legal advice, food safety, and resemblance to real places, people, or events.
- Permissions notice: A permissions notice is necessary if you used any copyrighted material with permission from the owner, and it indicates that you obtained the necessary permissions. It is distinct from credits, which are a courtesy and not required for permission.
- Credits: Credits should be given to anyone who made a contribution to your book, such as graphic designers, photographers, formatting services, editors, and proofreaders. It is important to verify that public domain photographs are genuinely in the public domain to avoid accidentally using copyrighted material. There is no obligation to disclose the use of public domain photos or to use the PD-US logo.
- Print edition: Including your book’s edition on the copyright page, such as “Second Edition” or “Third Edition: December 2020,” is a good idea, particularly for non-first editions.
- CIP data block: Self-published eBooks do not require a Cataloging In Publication data block (CIP), but a P-CIP (Publisher’s Catalog-in-Publication) data block can be purchased for $60-$100 and may enhance the book’s professional appearance, although CIP data is only relevant to librarians and therefore unnecessary for most authors.
- Ordering information: The ordering information section on a copyright page provides details for those wanting to order more copies of the book, with varying information for individual and bulk orders, but may not apply to self-published eBooks.
- Author’s website: Adding your author website to the copyright page can help readers find more of your work.
- Printing details: The copyright page can contain additional details about environmentally-friendly printing practices, location of printing, and fonts used.
- Trademarks: The copyright page should include any trademarks held by the publisher related to the names, logos, or imprints used in the book.
- Printer’s key: The printer’s key, a long string of numbers indicating printing number or year, is becoming extinct due to digital printing and ebooks, and is not typical for self-published books or eBooks.
- Publisher information: The publisher’s information is included in traditionally published books for readers to know who and how to contact for reproduction permissions, while self-published authors may put their name, pen name, and/or author website.
Make Sure Readers See the Copyright
As an author, I’ve noticed that eReaders like Kindle can sometimes skip the copyright page and jump directly to Chapter 1 when readers open a book. This can be frustrating, especially when the copyright page contains important information. To ensure readers see the copyright page first, a solution is needed to adjust the starting point of the book.
Customizing the Starting Point with Atticus
Enter Atticus, a powerful formatting program that lets users customize where the book opens for readers. By accessing the eBook settings within Atticus, you can easily change the start page to ensure the copyright page is displayed before the first chapter.
What makes Atticus stand out is its ability to insert a special code into the eBook file, directing Amazon to open the book at the desired page for new readers. This unique feature ensures your copyright page gets the attention it deserves.
Why Choose Atticus?
There are several reasons why I recommend Atticus:
- It’s the only formatting software offering this start page customization feature
- Compatible with various platforms, making it highly versatile
- More affordable than many competitors
Atticus provides a simple and efficient solution to ensure your copyright page is displayed before the first chapter on eReaders like Kindle.
With its user-friendly interface, compatibility with various platforms, and cost-effective pricing, Atticus is the ideal choice for authors seeking a seamless formatting experience.