Before You Publish - Copyright

"Before You Publish" by Tim Wourms, President of publishing for CSN Books and Legacy Line Publishing, helps authors bring their books books to the Marketplace. You can download your free copy by going to csnbooks.com.

The First Step...THE FREE REVIEW!

The first question we normally hear when we encourage a new author to “send in your book for a free review,” is “How can I protect myself? I do not have a copyright on it yet.”
This is a perfectly normal concern, but let us put your mind at ease – your book is already protected, even if it does not have a technical copyright from the government office yet.
Before the book goes to print, the very act of creating your manuscript in the computer “time dates” it as your creation. This process alone offers you legal protection, and enables you to prove that you created the document. Also, you can further apply for what is commonly called a “poor man’s copyright,” which simply means you print out a copy of the manuscript (or put it on electronic disc) and send it to yourself by certified mail. When it arrives, do not open the package. That will also “time date” the creative process. Both ways are powerful proof in a court of law should there ever be a problem or a challenge.
In fact, the copyright office actually prefers that they do not receive a copy of your book for copyright until after the book is published. When a book goes to print, there is always a statement on the “copyright page” that says you own the copyright, and in what year the copyright was applied for. But, when the book goes to print, that copyright normally has not yet been issued by the copyright office. The mere fact that the book says the copyright has been applied for protects the author.
When your books (they ask for two copies) do go to the copyright office, the copyright will be assigned in your name. Here at CSN Books and Legacy Line publishing we believe that since you are the author, you are the one who should own all the rights to your work. We do not contractually tie up your work for five or ten years as many publishers do, nor do we force you to buy your way out of our agreement. Your entire work is under your control; we believe you deserve both the profits and the control.

Submitted by Dr. Michael Wourms,
Founder, CSN Books


If you are a Christian author looking for a quality publisher with experience and expertise, see CSN Books. If you are the writer of a book with a crossover appeal, and are ready to start the publishing process, see Legacy Line Publishing. CSN Books and Legacy Line publishing both offer quality publishing services including: ghostwriting, editing, proofing, cover design , copyright, printing, print on demand, distribution and marketing. Go to csnbooks.com or Legacylinepublishing.com and download our free eBook, “Before You Publish.” Learn what you need to know before choosing a publisher and sending out your manuscript.