Ep 139: How Indie Authors Can Shield Their Book from Copyright Infringement

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Copyright. Piracy. LibGen. AI scraping. If just reading that list makes you want to hide under your desk with a bottle of...something...you’re not alone. Indie authors are being forced to navigate a landscape that feels murkier by the day, and most of us didn’t exactly sign up to become copyright attorneys.Unfortunately, the “poor man’s copyright” trick (mailing yourself a sealed copy of your manuscript) I used to suggest won’t do a thing to protect you in 2025. What does matter? Understanding when and how to formally register your copyright, what that three-month filing window really means, and how to handle it when you discover your book has been pirated.In this episode, I break down:Whether copyright registration is worth the time and money for indie authorsWhat to do (and what not to do) if your book shows up on LibGen or other shady sitesThe difference between healthy protection and exhausting paranoiaI’ll show you how to balance protecting your work with staying focused on what really matters—building genuine connections with readers who do want to support you.Want to go deeper? Check out Jenn Hansen-dePaula’s conversation with attorney Olivia Maynes for a legal perspective here: https://jenndepaula.com/podcast/90🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINTGet back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers. 🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.*episode sponsor ✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMPYou've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time). 👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebookSupport the show******Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.  Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth