Making Your Book Accessible Yet Protected
Whether you're already imagining the price tag on the cover or you're planning to give it away for free, your book is valuable because of the time and effort you put into it.
That's what we had in mind when we built two features into most of our publishing packages: U.S. Copyright Registration and the Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN).* They make up a two-pronged method of ensuring that your work still belongs to you even when it's already out of your hands.
Read on for a closer look at each feature.
U.S. Copyright Registration
Under U.S. copyright law, your work is automatically protected. Copyright is based on your creative authorship and independent of any formal agreement with a book publisher or self-publishing company.
Even so, Copyright Registration adds a thicker layer of security around your work since your authorship would be on public record. While you're protected from the moment you start writing, you'll have to register your work with the Copyright Office to be officially recognized as the copyright holder in a court of law.
Library of Congress Control Number
The LCCN is the serially-based system of numbering and cataloging records of the country's oldest federal cultural institution. The number itself makes your book searchable across more than 9,000 U.S. libraries. The more times your book is acquired, the more recognition your name and work get.
Do note that the Library of Congress has the right to refuse cataloging a title, especially if it's under 50 pages and not a children's book, or if it's transitory or consumable like a coloring book, comic book, or cut-out book.
Even so, having an LCCN holds a place for your book to be processed by the Library of Congress, book vendors, and libraries. It's a foot in the door to recognition and legitimacy.
We'll complete all the necessary forms and send a copy of your book to the U.S. Copyright Office as well as the Library of Congress. Once the government has processed your application, the copyright registration is sent directly to you. Your own unique LCCN will be assigned to your book during the publishing process, and will be included on the copyright page in your book.
Publishing a quality book takes more than finishing a manuscript. It helps to have a team of professionals to help you navigate the world of publishing, and you can count on iUniverse to be with you every step of the way.
*You'll need to purchase the registration features separately if you choose the Select Package.