the long copyright page should include the following:
1. one copyright notice and one year
You are reading: Copyright statement for books
The copyright symbol (“©”) must be attached to the name of the copyright owner. it should look like “© 2017 by jane doe”, or it can be written “copyright © 2017 jane doe”. the copyright owner is the author of the book, not the publisher or printer. If any company requires you to be the copyright holder, do not post with them. it is your work, regardless of who prints it.
If you use a pseudonym (also known as a pseudonym), you can put it on the copyright page instead of your real name. however, by registering your copyright with the us. uu. copyright office, be sure to include both names on the form (pseudonym and legal name) as it is a legal document.
The copyright year is the year you receive your copyright. if the book is reprinted in new editions, the copyright will list all years of publication, starting with the most recent. For example, if you first published a book in 2012, but published more editions in 2014 and 2017, it would read like this: “copyright © 2017, 2014, 2012”.
Make sure the copyright year is the year your book was published, not the year it was written. your copyright will last for your lifetime plus an additional 70 years. after that, the work is considered to be in the public domain.
2. copyright notice
The copyright notice states that the copyright holder (author) reserves all rights to reproduce the book or parts thereof. This phrase was created in the early 20th century at the Buenos Aires copyright convention, and is technically no longer necessary, since owning a copyright means that the author owns all the rights. however, it is still used in books as a formality.
You can go as simple as saying “all rights reserved” or you can expand on it:
- All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or parts thereof in any form. for information see publisher.
- all rights reserved. This book or portions thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided ready. under the copyright law of the united states of america. For permission requests, write the publisher, “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below. any of these will do, it all comes down to your preference.
3. isbn
See Also: Hand Stamped Book Stacks
an isbn (international standard book number) is required if you plan to sell your book. the isbn is always 13 digits and the numbers correspond to regional codes, particular publishers, editions, etc. the isbn is simply an identifier for your book; It has no legal weight. If you don’t plan on selling your book, then there’s really no need for an ISBN. however, if you plan to sell your book, you’ll need one for most retailers. If your book comes in more than one format (say, paperback and hardcover), you’ll need different isbns for each.
you can buy an isbn through bowker. it’s easy to buy an isbn (or multiple if you have multiple books) online and assign them to your books through your online account. As with copyright, you must be the owner of the isbn number, not its printer or publisher, so be sure to only buy from bowker.
4. library of congress control number
The library of congress control number (lccn) is free (you can apply online) and proves that your book exists. This is necessary if you want to have it on library shelves, as libraries will not accept a book unless it has an lccn.
If you don’t want your book in a library (if you just want to sell it or give it to friends and family as gifts), there’s really no need to go through the process of registering your book with the library. of congress.
5. disclaimer
The disclaimer pictured above is commonly used in fiction books and is included to protect you from possible lawsuits if your characters or plots resemble real people or events. This disclaimer acknowledges that some characters may resemble real people, but states that this is a work of their imagination.
Disclaimers can also be used in non-fiction. If you’re writing a memoir, you may choose to include a disclaimer that simply states that the events in the book are your memories from your perspective. it may also include a notice that certain names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved. this is often done when a work contains sensitive material.
For example, in Marina Keegan’s posthumous The Opposite of Loneliness, which is both a work of fiction and non-fiction, the copyright page includes two disclaimers:
- portions of this book are works of fiction. any reference to historical events, real people, or real places is used in a fictitious manner. other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
- portions of this book are the work of not fiction. certain names and identifying characteristics have been changed.
6. permission notice
See Also: Herman Melville – Book Series In Order
If you borrow extracts from any other work (another book, artwork, articles, etc.), you must give credit on the copyright page.
For example, in Atomic City Girls: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II, Denise Kiernan includes this photo permission notice:
- all photos by james edward westcott, courtesy of the national archives, with the exception of: insert page 1, top left, courtesy of celia klemski; insert page 1, top right, courtesy of colleen black…
7. credits to editors, photographers and illustrators
this is optional and could be placed in the acknowledgments section. if you choose to include these credits on your copyright page, you can still expand on them in the acknowledgments section. most books will include at least illustrations and design credits on the copyright page.
8. country of printing/print edition
this is where the book was printed and what edition it is (first, second or third, etc.). If you are using a capsule printer, such as diggypod, you can also include your information here. this portion of the copyright page is included for customs purposes.
9. publisher information
Publisher information (such as name and address) should be included on the copyright page. if you are a self-publisher, this would be your information. some self-publishers choose to create their own publishing house rather than just use their name. however, if you want to use your name, that’s fine too! you are the publisher. you can decide how this section looks.
10. author’s website
since you are posting yourself, your personal website should be included on this page. it’s an easy way to promote your personal site and get more attention on your other work.
The following is an example of a short copyright page:
See Also: 50 Great Books for Kids to Learn U.S. History – 10 Traveling Feet