Which companies should I use to register my new book?

An important part of publishing your book is having it registered, as registration can help you obtain sales. Completing this step will make your book visible to libraries, bookstores and members of the public.

ISBNs
Assuming you are already partway down the self-publishing path, you should already have an international standard book number (ISBN). If not, we can provide one and update all the relevant databases for you, if you work with us.

Copyright
In some countries, it’s also necessary to register copyright on your book. In places like Australia and the United Kingdom there is not an official copyright register, but some countries provide official sites where you can register copyright on your book so you can defend your copyright through litigation should the need arise.

Once your book is nearing publication, or soon after, where should you register it? The answer to this question depends on which country you’re in, which country your publisher is in and which countries you are targeting the sales and marketing of your book.

For specific advice that relates to your situation, please purchase a Publishing Consultation or Book Marketing Plan.

Australia

National Library of Australia—The National Library of Australia collects and preserves resources relating to Australia and its people (as well as materials from outside Australia). Registering your book here will make its details available to Australian libraries, library suppliers and other members of the book industry. You are also required to provide a free copy of any book published in Australia. (https://www.nla.gov.au/using-library/services-publishers/legal-deposit#)

State libraries—each state in Australia has its own library system. When you self-publish it’s a good idea to register with the library in your state so that they’re aware of your book. You are also required to provide a free copy of any book published in your state (or if using PMBO, that is Queensland).

New South Wales (http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/)
Northern Territory (https://dtc.nt.gov.au/arts-and-museums/northern-territory-library)
Queensland (http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/)
South Australia (http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm)
Tasmania (https://www.linc.tas.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx)
Victoria (https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/)
Western Australia (http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/)

Nielsen Bookscan—Nielsen BookScan provides sales information about books and makes this information available to the book trade so it’s a good idea to make sure your book is included in their lists. (https://nielsenbook.com.au/)

New Zealand

The National Library of New Zealand—New Zealand’s national library offers various publishing services to publishers and authors which allow your book to become more visible to the book industry. (https://natlib.govt.nz/publishers-and-authors)

Auckland Council Libraries—this site will tell you how to submit your book to the Auckland Library system and has information on submitting it to other New Zealand libraries. (https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/book-purchasing.aspx)

Nielsen BookData—as with its Australian branch, Nielsen BookData New Zealand provides sales information for the New Zealand market. (https://www.nielsenbook.co.nz)

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom doesn’t have an official copyright register. If you are publishing a book in the UK and want to register your book somewhere, there are lots of services offering ‘copyright registration’. This is all bunkum in our opinion, and if you look at any actual copyright lawsuits in the UK, such ‘registrations of copyright’ are not particularly useful. You do not need to register your book in order to own it if you are located in the UK.

The British Library—It’s a good idea to register your UK-published book with the British Library. (https://www.bl.uk)

The British Library is also entitled to receive a free copy of every British publication within one month of the date of publication. (http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/legaldeposit/printedpubs/depositprintedpubs/deposit.html)

Nielsen BookData—This site has a UK branch for those who would like your book to be on their system. (https://nielsenbook.co.uk)

Europe

Different European countries will have library services with different requirements for the submission of books. Search the internet for the appropriate library service for your book, depending on which country you’re in.

Singapore

National Library of Singapore— Singapore-based authors can register their books through their national library. (http://www.nlb.gov.sg)

Intellectual Property Office of Singapore—The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore allows authors in Singapore to register the copyright of their books with them. (https://www.ipos.gov.sg/understanding-innovation-ip/copyright)

Canada

Library and Archives Canada—to register your ISBN in Canada go to their library and archives. (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/isbn-canada/Pages/isbn-canada.aspx) Canadian Intellectual Property Office—you can register copyright on your book via the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02281.html) Booknet Canada—Booknet Canada offers a service similar to Nielsen, as they collect sales data from over 2000 Canadian retail outlets in the trade book market. (https://www.booknetcanada.ca/salesdata/)

USA

Library of Congress—The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books and other media stored in its collections. You can register cataloguing in publication (CiP) with them. (https://www.loc.gov/publish/cip/about/process.html)

The US Copyright Office—Many authors who are not based in the US choose to register their books with the US Copyright Office, as well as registering them in their own countries. Registration is carried out via their online form. (https://www.copyright.gov/forms/?clink=idsearch2011www.copyright.gov/forms//prereg/)

NPD—provides great feedback on the book market.(https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/industry-expertise/books)

Summary

This list is not exhaustive. Make sure you search the internet for other sites that will help you market your book in whichever country you’re publishing and keep an eye out for new developments, as every little bit helps.

Be aware of predatory ‘copyright registration’ businesses, however, which exist only to fleece content creators. Usually, registration of copyright is not necessary. Instead you are not registering your copyright, but you are listing your book so that other people in the book industry, and consumers, are more likely to find it.