Submitting books to the Library of Congress

[Dunnie]

Hi,

A few days ago, I asked about registering and sending a copy of my book to the Library of Congress and received a reply that it was necessary. I went to the Library of Congress web site, but did not find the information I needed and did not get a reply to an email I sent inquiring about the process.

Would anyone who has registered a book with the Library of Congress help me with the procedure?

1) Is there a specific form to fill out?

2) Is there a fee involved?

3) Where can I find the address for the department that should receive the copy of my book?

Thanks for any info

you can give me.

Dunnie

[Peter May]

Dunnie

I think you are talking about USA copyright registration. In that process you submit a copy of your book which goes to Library of Congress.

see http://www.copyright.gov/

Note you are not obliged to do this.

[Dunnie]

Thanks, Peter. I checked out the web site and I see what I need to do.

Dunnie

[Ron Miller]

You don't just send a book to the LoC willy-nilly. It is part of the copyright registration process. The US Copyright Office has all the information about this that you need:

http://www.copyright.gov/

[Dunnie]

Hi, Ron,

On the web site you and Peter mentioned, I found the application form and other registration information.

Thanks for your input.

Dunnie

[SarahCat]

Sorry if this seems repetitive. I am very new at this. Does anyone know if the author retains copyright  or does lulu for a given book? Should I apply for copyright services before submitting my book to lulu?

I have also heard that when using the lulu program, an author is given the chance to select a copyright lisence. When I do this through the book creating process on lulu, do I still have to file a copyright with the government copyright office separately? I have been on the website for copyright registration thanks.

[Peter May]

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SarahCat wrote:

  Does anyone know if the author retains copyright  or does lulu for a given book?

You retain copyright

Should I apply for copyright services before submitting my book to lulu?

 No need

I have also heard that when using the lulu program, an author is given the chance to select a copyright lisence. When I do this through the book creating process on lulu, do I still have to file a copyright with the government copyright office separately? I have been on the website for copyright registration thanks.

You do not need to file anything with any government. Put Copyright (c) your name 2011 at the front of your book and it is copyright.

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[He-Is]

Hi Peter,

We do have a copyright on my husband's book, but now we would like to have it actually published and we are checking out Lulu. So my ? about the copyright is just the opposite; does Lulu need this copyright that we already have through the Library of Congress? By the way, it took us about 2 yrs. to get it. Thanks...just checking out this site!

[Peter May]

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He-Is wrote:
 We do have a copyright on my husband's book, but now we would like to have it actually published and we are checking out Lulu. So my ? about the copyright is just the opposite; does Lulu need this copyright that we already have through the Library of Congress? 

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Just think of Lulu as being the printer of your book. You retain copyright, ownership everything. You are just using Lulu to put your document into book form. You are the publisher, you authorise Lulu to produce and sell the book on your behalf.