In 2007, I wrote a popular series of articles exposing many tactics being used by some POD publishers. Four years later, it’s time for an update.

This week, we’re going to talk about Copyright and LCCN registration for your self-published book.

As you’ve no doubt heard, it is true that you own your work the minute you create it. However, if you ever need to pursue an infringer in court, you must be able to prove you own your work. That’s why it’s imperative to register your own copyright. It’s also a good idea to obtain a Library of Congress Catalog Control Number (LCCN) for your book. The LCCN is a unique identification number the Library of Congress assigns to the catalog record created for each book in its cataloged collections. Librarians often use it to locate a specific book (though they use other resources as well).

COPYRIGHT FEE INFLATION

If you want to register a copyright for your book, you can do so yourself for only $35 (https://www.copyright.gov/forms/), if you choose to register online. Yes, that’s right. That’s all the government charges. And, you can download the forms instantly at the link above. It really is that simple.

Would it surprise you to know that some POD publishers charge up to seven times that amount to do it for you? Yes, you read that right.

For example, xLibris.com will be happy to register your copyright for you…for a whopping $249! That’s more than 7 times the the actual registration fee!

At AuthorHouse, you can get a deal (ahem…) by only paying $170. That’s almost five times the actual registration fee. The price difference is even more interesting when you know that both POD publishers are owned by the same company, Author Solutions.

Trafford and iUniverse (both also owned by Author Solutions) also charge $170 to register your copyright.

LCCN – TURNING A FREE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INTO A PROFIT CENTER

The government will be very happy to give you a Preassigned Control Number (PCN) before your book is published, or a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) after your book is published, at no charge! Isn’t that nice of them? The LCCN registration page is HERE.

But, xLibris.com will charge you $99 if you want them to do it.

AuthorHouse will charge you $75.

Trafford will also charge you $75.

iUniverse is also $75.

POD publishers who charge these types of inflated fees may claim it’s expensive to send a copy of your book to the government (trust me – they’re getting the book cheaper than you do!) and that it takes a long time to complete the forms (it doesn’t).

They may also claim you can’t register your own book because they are the “publisher.” This is not true. If they don’t take rights to your book (the outfits above don’t), you are your own publisher and you can register for your own copyright and LCCN, even if you’re using one of their ISBNs.

Next week, we’ll talk about how much some POD publishers are inflating actual shipping charges. Think you know how much you’re going to be paying for copies of your own book? Think again! You won’t believe it…

Got questions about Print On Demand and Self-publishing? Ask Angela Hoy.

About The Author

Angela Hoy is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the author of 19 books, and the co-owner of BookLocker.com (one of the original POD publishers that still gets books to market in less than a month), PubPreppers.com (print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish), and Abuzz Press (the publishing co-op that charges no setup fees).

Angela has lived and traveled across the U.S. with her kids in an RV, settled in a river-side home in Bradenton, FL, and lived on a 52 ft Irwin sailboat. Angela now resides on a mountaintop in Northwest Georgia, where she plans to spend the rest of her days bird watching, gardening, hiking, and taking in all of the amazing sunrises.

WritersWeekly.com - the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday.

BookLocker.com - According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is: "As close to perfection as you're going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I've ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can't go wrong here. Plus, they're selective and won't publish any manuscript just because it's accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors' books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know."

Abuzz Press offers FAST and FREE book publication, but only accepts a small percentage of submissions, and only works with U.S. authors.

PubPreppers.com - "We Prep, You Publish!" Print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish. Offers formatting and design services only, and then provides simple instructions for authors on where to sign up to have the print and ebook editions printed/listed/sold. Cut out the middle man. Keep 100% of what bookstores pay for your book!

Angela's POD Secrets Revealed Series can be found HERE.

Have a POD Book with another publisher? See if BookLocker can give you a better deal. (BookLocker offers "disgruntled author discounts" to those who want to move from other POD services.)

See BookLocker's publishing packages HERE.

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https://www.facebook.com/booklockerbooks

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahoy/

Angela is the creator of the Original 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/

Read More Of Angela's Articles HERE