Copyright Page for Self-Published Books: What to Include
Your copyright page is not just legal boilerplate — it protects your work, sets reader expectations, and signals professionalism. This guide covers every element, with templates for fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and children's books.
What Is a Copyright Page?
A copyright page (also called the verso of the title page) is the reverse side of the title page in printed books, or a dedicated early page in ebooks. It establishes legal ownership of the work, notifies readers of their rights and restrictions, and provides bibliographic information like the ISBN and edition number.
In the United States, copyright protection is automatic the moment you create an original work — you do not need to register it or include a copyright notice to own the copyright. However, including the copyright notice is standard practice because it: (1) puts potential infringers on notice, (2) prevents them from claiming innocent infringement, and (3) signals professionalism to readers and trade partners.
Where Does the Copyright Page Go?
Print Books (KDP)
Immediately after the title page. In standard book layout: half-title page (page i) → title page (recto) → copyright page (verso, page ii).
Ebooks (Kindle)
Place it directly after your title page. Amazon's Kindle guidelines recommend keeping front matter short — the copyright page should be no longer than one screen.
Audiobooks
Audiobook copyright is typically stated in the metadata and on the distributor page. Some narrators read a brief copyright statement at the beginning of the recording.
What to Include on Your Copyright Page
Not every element is required for every book. The core elements are the copyright notice, year, and author name. Everything else is genre- and format-dependent.
Copyright Notice
RequiredThe standard form is: © [Year] [Author Name]. All rights reserved. Use the copyright symbol ©, not the word "copyright" alone. The year should be the first year of publication. "All rights reserved" restricts reproduction without permission.
© 2026 Jane Smith. All rights reserved.
ISBN
Strongly recommendedEach format (ebook, paperback, hardcover) has its own ISBN. If you publish on KDP without providing your own ISBN, KDP assigns a free ISBN — but listing it on the copyright page is still good practice. For IngramSpark distribution, your own ISBN is required.
ISBN: 978-0-000000-00-0 (paperback) ISBN: 978-0-000000-01-7 (ebook)
Publisher Name
RecommendedMany indie authors create a simple publishing imprint name (e.g., "Riverside Press" or "Ember & Ink Publishing"). This looks more professional than "Self-Published" or your personal name as publisher. Register your imprint as a business entity if you plan to scale.
Published by Ember & Ink Publishing, New York, NY
Edition Notice
SituationalIf you have revised or updated your book since the first edition, state the edition clearly: "Second Edition, 2026." This prevents confusion for readers who own earlier versions and matters for nonfiction where facts may have changed.
First published 2024. Second Edition 2026.
Disclaimer
Genre-dependentFiction requires a fiction disclaimer to confirm the book is a work of imagination. Medical, legal, financial, and health nonfiction requires a professional disclaimer. Memoir may need a note about composite characters or changed names.
Country of Printing
OptionalPrint-on-demand books are printed in the country closest to the buyer. You can omit "Printed in the USA" unless you have a fixed print run. For trade distribution, some retailers require country of origin.
Printed in the United States of America
Disclaimer Templates by Genre
Copy and adapt these disclaimers for your copyright page. Adjust names, fields, and specifics as needed.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This book is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.
The information in this book is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal [or financial] advice and does not create an attorney-client [or advisor-client] relationship. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information in this book.
This book is a memoir. It reflects the author's present recollections of experiences over time. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. Dialogue has been reconstructed from memory and may not be verbatim.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Complete Copyright Page Templates
Use these as starting points. Replace bracketed fields with your own information.
© 2026 [Author Name]. All rights reserved. Published by [Imprint Name] ISBN: 978-0-000000-00-0 (paperback) ISBN: 978-0-000000-01-7 (ebook) This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used for review purposes. First published 2026.
© 2026 [Author Name]. All rights reserved. Published by [Imprint Name] [City, State] ISBN: 978-0-000000-00-0 (hardcover) ISBN: 978-0-000000-01-7 (paperback) ISBN: 978-0-000000-02-4 (ebook) The information in this book is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and publisher disclaim all liability for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein. For permissions, contact: [email or website] First Edition 2026.
ISBNs and Library of Congress
Do I need my own ISBN?
KDP provides a free ISBN for books published through KDP, but it identifies KDP as the imprint. To list your own publishing imprint, purchase your own ISBN from Bowker (US), Nielsen (UK), or your national ISBN agency.
If you plan to sell via IngramSpark for bookstore/library distribution, you must provide your own ISBN. Bowker sells ISBNs individually ($125) or in blocks of 10 ($295) — the block of 10 is better value for authors with multiple formats.
Library of Congress (US Authors)
A Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is optional but useful for authors seeking library sales. Apply for a preassigned LCCN before publication at lccn.loc.gov. Include it on your copyright page as: "Library of Congress Control Number: [number]."
The LOC does not require registration for copyright protection — just for cataloging. Most indie authors skip this unless they are actively pursuing library distribution.
Your Book Is Ready — Now Get Reviews
Once your copyright page, front matter, and metadata are in order, the next step is building your Amazon review base before launch. iWrity connects self-published authors with genre-matched readers who leave genuine Amazon reviews — so your listing is credible from day one.
Get Early Reviews on iWrityFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my copyright with the US Copyright Office?+
No. In the US, copyright protection is automatic upon creation of an original work. Registration is not required to own the copyright. However, registration creates a public record and is required if you want to sue for statutory damages and attorney's fees in case of infringement. It costs $45–$65 and can be done online at copyright.gov.
Can I use "Copyright 2026" instead of the © symbol?+
Yes. The Berne Convention recognizes both "Copyright [Year]" and the © symbol as valid copyright notices. The symbol is preferred and more universally recognized, but spelling out "Copyright" is legally equivalent in most jurisdictions.
What year do I use if my book was published late in the year?+
Use the year the book is first published or made available, regardless of the month. If your book goes live on December 30, 2026, the copyright year is 2026. For pre-orders where the book becomes available in a different year than when the pre-order was set up, use the publication date year.
Do I need a different copyright page for my ebook and paperback?+
You can use the same copyright text, but you should list the correct ISBN for each format. Your ebook ISBN and paperback ISBN are different. If you are listing both formats on the same copyright page (common in ebooks), include both ISBNs clearly labeled.
Do I need a disclaimer if my fiction book is based on real events?+
Yes — especially if your book contains characters inspired by real people, real locations, or real historical events. Consult an attorney if you are unsure whether your book could expose you to defamation claims. The standard fiction disclaimer ("any resemblance to real persons is coincidental") is weaker protection when the connection is intentional and identifiable.