How To Write A Copyright Page
Being a self-published author means having to worry about a lot more than just writing your stories. You also have to know how to package and promote your stories. The copyright page is an essential part of a book’s total package. If you have a guide to follow, it’s easy to create. See a template below for how to write a copyright page for a self-published book.
Copyright © [publication year] by [author name]
Published by [the name you want to use as your imprint name]
[Book Title] is a work of fiction. Names, organizations, characters, and actions or events of the characters are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously and shouldn’t be construed to represent anyone or anything real. Opinions of the characters should not be assumed to be those of the author.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief quotations for a book review or in media coverage.
ISBN [the ISBN you purchased]
Cover design by [name of artist]
Printed in [country where book is printed]
A Few Notes On The Template
As a self-published author, you can make up any name you want as your imprint or publisher name, because you are technically the publisher.
The paragraph that begins with the book title can be tweaked to whatever you think makes the most sense for your book and offers the protection you need. What you see in the template is what’s included on the copyright page of my first novel.
You can also adjust the content following “All rights reserved” to whatever seems right to you.
It’s not required to include the name of the book cover artist, but it’s a nice thing to do if the artist has given you permission.
If you have any questions about how to write a copyright page for a self-published book, feel free to email me.
MJ Biggs is the author of the novel A Wonderful Place To Die.