A local publisher sent me a book contract last month. For me, this was an incredibly exciting and anxious time as I had been waiting months for a publisher to accept my work. I wanted to be sure, however, that I didn't make any reckless decision. The contract's stipulations were very clear and I had no problem with any of it.
The publishing company has suggested, however that I copyright the book. Being a first-time author of a text, I've never had to copyright a book before in my life and I was somewhat clueless about how the whole process works.
Now, an intelligent first-time author would have simply and straight forwardly asked, "How do you copyright a book?" Me, I'm much too self conscious for that. I was a bit concerned that I would appear as too naïve. I also, didn't want to seem unprofessional in my dealings with the publishing company. But I am, of course, inexperienced and I'm an amateur in the publishing business.
I finally managed to ask the publishing rep about how to copyright a book when he and I met to discuss the publishing contract. The rep explained to me that the suggestion to copyright the book was not a requirement but merely a suggestion.
Since the last revision of the copyright law in 1997, it's not necessary to have a notice of copyright on your book for it to be copyright protected in the U.S. Once it's produced, it's automatically copyrighted. However, if someone were to challenge the work as your own, it would be much easier to prove it in a court of law if you had copyrighted the book.
When you copyright a book you are officially announcing to everyone that you are the original creator of the book, invention or art design. The process is insurance that no one can successfully claim credit for your hard work.
You can bet that more that one writer has regretted that he did not copyright a book.
Publishing companies are not all the same, but my book contract stated that if the author wanted to copyright a book, he was responsible for all copyright charges. Your publishing company may have different rules. Fortunately, copyrighting a book is not expensive.
You can find the appropriate copyright forms at copyright office - copyright a book.
