Before we provide an example of how you can set up your copyright page, here are a few quick notes on why you want to include one in your book:

“Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device” (from www.copyright.gov).

You do not HAVE to register your work. According to the copyright office, “In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.”

**We highly recommend registering your work if you plan to publish.**

To register, you must submit a completed application form, a filing fee ($45-$125), and a non-returnable copy of the work to be registered. You can file online (www.copyright.gov) or via postal mail. It is cheaper to file online.

You can register under a pseudonym. Your registration will be public record. Processing averages 1 – 10 months depending on the type of registration (online registration averages around 1.5 months). This is when you will receive your certificate.

Tip: You do NOT need to wait for the certificate to publish your book! The effective date of registration is the day the Copyright office receives a complete submission in acceptable form.

Sample Copyright Page (simple)

BOOK TITLE
Published through YOUR PUBLISHER OR IMPRINT HERE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. [applicable only to works of fiction.]

All rights reserved
Copyright © 2023 by AUTHOR NAME
Cover art copyright © 2023 by ARTIST NAME

ISBN: NUMBER HERE (Paperback Edition) [if you only have one edition, no edition designation is necessary]
ISBN: NUMBER HERE (Hardcover Edition) [if applicable]
ISBN: NUMBER HERE (eBook Edition) [if applicable]

Library of Congress Control Number: NUMBER HERE [optional]

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author or publisher.

That’s it! You may also include other elements on this page, such as other credits or disclaimers. If you have any questions regarding the creation of your copyright page, please feel free to Contact Us. We’re happy to help you prepare your submission.