Sample Copyright Template to Help You Publish Your Poetry
If you’re self-publishing alone, you’re going to want to set up a copyright page.
This page is usually at the beginning of the book and it includes all of the important information that booksellers would want. It’s not legally necessary for you to actually have your book copyrighted, though that’s the only way that you’re able to use the copyright symbol.
Apply for copyright on the copyright website (around $85) and then use one of our templates below to get your copyright page completed.
Have specific questions? Email me for more info!
Keep in mind that we aren’t lawyers, so if you have specific questions about legal ramifications of copyright pages, talk to your trusted neighborhood lawyer first.
The only thing you absolutely need on your copyright page is the copyright symbol (if and only if you have applied for copyright) and a notice that the author retains all rights to the material. The rest is either decided based on style or publisher need.
Simple Copyright Template
Name of Collection
All rights reserved
Cover Image: Name of artist
Cover Design: Name of Cover designer
Layout: Name of layout designer
Printed in the U.S.A
First Edition: Date
ISBN: [Add ISBN Here]
Name of author
Address Line One
State, City ZIP
Website
One sentence author bio.
Expanded Copyright Template
© Date, Name of Book
Add Author Bio Here
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic methods without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author at the address below.
Name of author
Address Line One
State, City ZIP
Website
ISBN: [Add ISBN Here]
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, Date of Printing
Where to Place this Text
Usually, a printed book will include the following matter:
1. Cover
2. Blank page
3. Blank page
4. Title page (with name of collection only)
5. Blank page
6. Title page (with name of collection, author name, and name + place of printer)
7. Copyright page
8. Blank page
9. Blank page
10. Table of contents
11. Blank page
12. First page of collection
Check with your layout designer to see what they think is best. They may already have a great system in place.
A note about ISBNs:
You can get free ISBNs from most self-publishing platforms, but if you’re publishing multiple versions of your book (one printed, one ePub version, one mobi version, etc.), you’ll want separate ISBNs.
If you’re publishing only a printed book and a Kindle version, you’ll only need one ISBN (for the printed work) since Kindle doesn’t require ISBNs for eBooks.
Amazon KDP Select will assign an ASIN if you don’t have an ISBN, but make sure you check with your platform before you upload interior material.
The takeaway: Make sure you’re following industry practices when you publish!
Got q’s? Let’s chat at hello@telltellpoetry.com
Pssst. This was first published on Tell Tell Poetry.
