Public Domain Audiobooks and Self-Publishing

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Other resources on this topic:

I’ll list the time code in the video when I discussed each resource.

 

3:03 The Create Your Own Path video course includes other many resources including my hand-curated collections of books.

6:16 My Public Domain Narration Headquarters page has my 10 reasons I love PD books and links to my free articles.

9:01 Goodreads Most Popular Books Published in 1929

10:38 My webinar with Jessica Kaye about licensing audio rights 

13:25 The 4 sites I use to check for copyright renewals:

20:18 Here is info about downloading a PDF from HathiTrust.

24:13 Linda Aragoni’s Great Penformances blog is linked in the Create Your Own Path resources with instructions for changing the year.

28:53 My article How to Narrate Copyrighted Books outlines your options and the steps you need to take to perform copyrighted books.

40:28 Here are 3 examples of disclaimers I’ve collected that you can use for reference:

40:38 Rebecca Lee wrote the article Modifying Text in Old Books is Form of Book-Banning. 

42:56 My article Should An Author Narrate Her Own Audiobook? and a later piece titled Much More Than “Just Reading” can help authors decide whether to hire a professional narrator, as well as why they should say NO! to using a synthesized voice. Please feel free to share these links with authors!

45:23 I link to a cover designer on the Welcome Center page.

46:35 Here’s the link to the members-only Audiobook Distributors Comparison Chart.

53:17 To change your ACX distribution, you’ll need to send email to Info@ACX.com.

1:07:55 This is the message I saw when I first tried to claim a Kindle book created by my partner. I clicked the Contact Us link to send an a message to ACX support. I stated that the RH gave me permission to claim that edition and asked them to unlock the title unlocked so I could proceed. If you need to take this step, I think it helps to include the publisher name shown on the Amazon page under Product Details.

1:16:15 Art, Blurbs, and Critics for PD Books gives you pointers for finding critics’ comments on PD books. This article is linked on my Public Domain Narration Headquarters page.

1:19:18 This :34 video shows what you should have seen and heard at this point.

1:20:00 A rights holder does not have an “I’m Done” button. They click the button for Submit audiobook for review when they have completed all steps.

1:20:30 ACX states audio review typically lasts 10 business days.

1:21:00 My Audiobook Marketing Cheat Sheet is loaded with tips and tactics for promoting your audiobooks. Feel free to share the link with authors!

1:21:42 Here are examples of my promotions about Nellie Bly and particularly my audiobook Bly vs Bisland: Beating Phileas Fogg in a Race Around the World. Note that I re-use the images in multiple years and for different occasions.

1:22:59 Karen White/Karen Grey runs HomeCookedBooks.com.

1:24:45 When I mentioned Sean Pratt’s comments, I forgot to add the most important part:  Even after voicing 1000+ audiobooks, Sean said he is creating a PD book!

1:33:11 I want to clarify a couple of things:

  • Copyright occurs at the time it becomes “fixed in a tangible means of expression”. Once you’ve recorded the audiobook, you have copyright. You do not need to register your copyright with the Copyright Office in order to own the copyright. You can enter the current year for your audiobook copyright without ever registering it.
  • However, if you ever want to bring a copyright infringement charge against someone, your copyright must be registered BEFORE you can take legal action for infringement.
  • The US Copyright Office Registration Portal has all of the information about registration.
  • You may find the Copyright Office’s 48:52 video on Copyright Myths to be helpful.