For Writers

Many of our publisher members are also authors, and many are self-publishing authors. This page is dedicated to our author members.

U. S. Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov)

The above-listed page gives you links to Copyright Basics, Frequently Asked Questions, circulars, brochures, forms and fact sheets, prereregistration information, how to register a work, how to record a document, copyright law, copyright searches, mandatory deposit, patents and trademarks, and much more.

From the American Library Association

Dear Colleagues,
I’ve long believed that authors are natural allies of libraries. Especially in these challenging times, they understand the key role that libraries and library staff play in the economic, social and educational fabric of our nation. They can speak passionately on the importance of not only sustaining, but increasing support for libraries. My presidential initiative, Our Authors, Our Advocates: Authors Speak Out for Libraries, is a new campaign that enlists America’s authors to become articulate and powerful spokespeople for libraries.
Please help fuel the national dialogue on America’s libraries. Spread the word. These public services announcements are available for placement on your library’s website and for sharing with your library’s advocates.
These new PSA's [sic] are being launched during National Library Week. Stay tuned for more to come throughout the year. Visit www.ourauthorsouradvocates.org.
Thank you,
Roberta Stevens
2010-2011 President
American Library Association

What to Include on an Author Website (by Betsy Lampe)

An author is a book’s most powerful selling tool. An author’s website speaks for the author and assists in the task of selling. Here is an outline of what a basic author website can include. Add sample pages for illustrated works, such as picture books. Tabs or website pages are in all caps, and information listed below tabs is in no particular order:

HOME

Description (Use back cover copy with link to “About the Book” page)
Front Cover − (Use front cover image clickable to Amazon.com or wherever)
Author’s photo (clickable to “About the Author”)
What Others Say (abbreviated endorsements/reviews)
Events Schedule (Use clickable link to that page on the site)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Synopses (short and long)

Contents (chapters with summaries)

Endorsements (full length with clickable links to review authors’ books at amazon.com)

Reviews (full length with clickable links to review publication with your book’s review)

Sample Chapter (click for downloadable PDF)

Front Cover (click for downloadable JPG)

Back Cover (click for downloadable JPG)

Media Requests (Link to Media Room)

Link to Publisher’s Website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Short Bio

Long Bio

Link to CV for nonfiction authors (or CV as downloadable PDF)

Author Photo (downloadable JPG)

Link to any other of this author’s pages

BUY THE BOOK

Link to book's page at Amazon.com

Link to book's page at BN.com

Link to book's page at bookch.com

Link to book ("compare prices" view) at www.AllBookStores.com

Link for resellers to wholesalers and distributors

Links for ebook editions

AUTHOR EVENTS

Good Image from book launch event

Current Events (when, what and where, clickable to each venue’s site)

Past Events (list here once complete from “Current Events” list)

Online (links to blogs, social networks, webinars, etc.)

List of Available Topics (30-minute to one-hour discussion topics from the book, or readings/discussions)

Speaker Request (a popup email directly to the author that can be used for appearance requests)

MEDIA ROOM

Synopses (short shown; link to long one at “About the Book”)

Link to Contents (chapters with summaries at “About the Book”)

Link Endorsements (abbreviated ones with full text downloadable in PDF)

Reviews (full length with clickable links to review publication with review)

Sample Chapter or Pages (click for downloadable PDF)

Front Cover (click for downloadable JPG)

Back Cover (click for downloadable JPG)

Media Review Copy Requests (popup email to the review copy contact for media review copy requests)

Media Interview Requests (email to the author)

Information Sheet (downloadable in PDF)

Sample Interview (the ideal Q&A, since media contacts rarely ever read the book)

Link to Publisher’s Website (preferably the book’s editor)

CONTACT

How to contact the author, publisher or publicist. Creating an automatic popup email is a nice touch.

LINKS

If the book lends itself to it, having links is like “Suggested Reading” for an author website. Particularly useful for nonfiction and children’s books.