In the world of books, an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is more than just a number; it's a key that unlocks an author's control over their work. Owning your ISBN means you have the rights to decide how your book is sold, printed, and distributed. Without it, the company that provides the ISBN essentially becomes your publisher, which means they hold all the control over your book.
In the United States we are told that our words belong to us the moment we write them. But that is not true, you can write a book, publish it and even “mail yourself a copy” and your book can still be stolen if you don’t register it for copyright. If they take your book and register before you it now becomes their book and you will be hard pressed to prove otherwise. So while your words belong to you the moment you write them, copyright registration works like a state ID, proving that you own the document. In the digital age, where content theft is rampant, just having your manuscript on your computer or mailing it to yourself isn't enough. Without formal copyright registration, if someone else steals your work and registers it, they can claim ownership.
Black authors, especially those who are self-published, face significant barriers in the literary world. Those who traditionally publish get more opportunities than those who self-publish. This lack of representation not only stifles diverse voices but also places a heavier burden on Black authors to self-publish, often without the necessary financial resources. The result is a form of discrimination that silences important stories and perspectives.
To fight these barriers, we're raising $40,000 to fund the cost of ISBN Numbers and Copyright Registration for 200 Black self-published authors. A single ISBN costs $125 (per format) and a standard single application for Copyright Registration is $70. So that’s $195 total, and with this fund we're putting $195 into the hands of each author, providing them with the resources they need to protect their invaluable work.
Your donation will directly support these authors, with all funds given to them along with guidance on purchasing ISBNs and registering copyrights. Every dollar counts in making sure these voices are heard and protected. Thank you for being part of this revolutionary initiative.
