Sample of Copyright Page: What to Include + Real Examples for 2026
What a Copyright Page Looks Like (And What Every Author Needs on It)
The copyright page is the verso side of the title page, meaning it sits on the left-hand, reverse face of that page. It's one of the first pages a reader, retailer, or librarian will encounter inside your book, and it carries more legal and professional weight than its small type size suggests.
A complete copyright page must include: the copyright symbol (©), the year of first publication, the author's full legal name, an "all rights reserved" statement, the ISBN, publisher name and location, an edition notice, the country of printing, and any permissions or disclaimers specific to the content. The Book Designer's copyright page guide provides a solid overview of required parts, and Kindlepreneur's breakdown of copyright page examples covers both print and ebook applications. The Nonfiction Authors Association sample copyright page is also worth reviewing for genre-specific conventions.
Leaving out key elements like the ISBN or the rights-reserved statement is one of the most frequent errors self-publishing authors make. It can affect both your legal protection and your acceptance by retailers and distribution platforms. Canadian authors face an additional consideration: a Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) data block is the correct cataloguing reference for books published in Canada, and it differs entirely from the US Library of Congress entry used in American publishing.
For a deeper look at how the copyright page fits within your full front matter sequence, see our guide on Crafting Your Title Page, Front Matter, and Copyright. If you've just wrapped up your manuscript and you're figuring out what comes next, this post-manuscript guide walks you through each production step in order.
What You Need Before You Write Your Copyright Page
Before you draft a single line of your copyright page, a few pieces of information need to be confirmed and in hand.
Your ISBN must be assigned first. The ISBN appears on the copyright page, and it's format-specific. A print ISBN is different from an ebook ISBN, so you'll need a separate number for each edition you plan to release. In Canada, ISBNs are issued free of charge through Library and Archives Canada's ISBN Service System, which also makes you eligible to apply for CIP data for your title. Our ISBN Canada Self-Publishing Guide explains the full process, including timelines and eligibility.
Your legal author name (or pen name with legal disclosure) must be settled. Copyright is registered under the name you list on this page. If you're writing under a pen name, you may need to note your legal name in conjunction with that name, depending on your publishing goals and how you've structured your author business.
If you're publishing through an imprint, have those details ready. Your imprint name, registered address, city, province or state, country, and website URL all belong in the publisher line. Self-published authors who don't use a formal imprint can list their own name as publisher.
Amazon KDP authors need separate ISBNs. If you're distributing through KDP, the free ASIN KDP assigns does not replace a proper ISBN on your copyright page. Our KDP publishing guide covers metadata requirements in detail, and it's worth reading alongside our metadata guide for Canadian self-publishers to understand how your copyright page data flows into retail listings.
Permissions must be secured before you finalise the page. If your book contains quoted material, song lyrics, or third-party images, you need written permission before publication. Those permissions or attribution credits are disclosed on the copyright page. Kindlepreneur's copyright page examples show how permissions are typically formatted when they do appear.
How to Write a Copyright Page: Step-by-Step with Annotated Samples
Here's how to build a copyright page from scratch. Each step below maps to a specific line or block of text you'll include in your final layout.
Step 1: Write your copyright line.
Format this as: © [Year of First Publication] [Author Legal Name]
Example: © 2026 Sarah M. Tremblay
If you're publishing under an imprint, add a second line directly below: Published by [Imprint Name]. The year should be the year of first publication, not the year the manuscript was completed. The Book Designer's sample copyright page shows how this line is traditionally formatted across different publishing contexts.
Step 2: Add your All Rights Reserved statement.
This is legally protective language, not optional boilerplate. Standard wording reads: "All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher."
Step 3: List your ISBNs.
Each format gets its own clearly labelled line:
ISBN 978-X-XXXX-XXXX-X (paperback)
ISBN 978-X-XXXX-XXXX-X (epub)
ISBN 978-X-XXXX-XXXX-X (audiobook) - if applicable
Listing them separately is an industry requirement. One ISBN can't cover multiple formats.
Step 4: Add publisher information.
Include your publisher or imprint name, city, province or state, country, and website URL. For self-published Canadian authors, listing your city and province (for example, "Ottawa, Ontario, Canada") signals professionalism and satisfies distribution platform requirements. The Nonfiction Authors Association's sample page shows how publisher information is typically arranged.
Step 5: Note the edition.
First editions: First published 2026 or First edition, 2026. Subsequent editions must be identified explicitly: Second edition, 2026. Revised editions should briefly note what changed.
Step 6: Add "Printed in [Country]".
For print-on-demand titles, this line typically reads "Printed in Canada" or "Printed in the United States of America" depending on where the order is fulfilled. Because some POD services fulfil from multiple countries, some authors write "Printed in the country of purchase" to stay accurate across markets. The Diggypod self-publishing copyright page guide discusses how POD considerations affect this line.
Step 7: Include Library and Archives Canada CIP data (Canadian authors).
Canadian publishers with valid Canadian ISBNs can apply for CIP data from Library and Archives Canada. The CIP block includes your title, author, subject headings, and classification number. It's the Canadian equivalent of a US Library of Congress entry and it's what belongs on a Canadian book's copyright page. A community discussion on Reddit's r/selfpublish reflects how often authors ask about this distinction.
Step 8: Add disclaimers and permissions.
Fiction books require a standard fiction disclaimer: "This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental."
Non-fiction books covering medical, legal, or financial topics must include a professional advice disclaimer: something to the effect that the content is for informational purposes and doesn't replace qualified professional advice. Books that use third-party quoted material must credit sources on this page. Non-fiction books that reference branded products (for example, noting that a particular platform is a registered trademark) should acknowledge those trademarks here.
Sample Copyright Page: Fiction (Self-Published, Canadian)
© 2026 Sarah M. Tremblay
Published by Inkwell Press
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.inkwellpress.ca
ISBN 978-X-XXXX-XXXX-X (paperback)
ISBN 978-X-XXXX-XXXX-X (epub)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
First edition, 2026
Printed in Canada
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
[CIP data block as issued by LAC]
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are
either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Sample Copyright Page: Non-Fiction (Self-Published, Canadian)
The structure is identical to the fiction sample above. Replace the fiction disclaimer with your professional advice disclaimer, and add any trademark acknowledgements for brands or platforms referenced in the text.
Sample Copyright Page: Ebook Only
Ebook copyright pages drop the "Printed in [Country]" line entirely and use an ebook-specific ISBN. On Kindle, the copyright page sits after the title page and before the table of contents. It must be present for KDP publishing compliance. Our guide to ebook formatting covers how front matter is structured for digital editions.
The copyright page always sits on the verso of the title page, typically page iv in a standard front matter sequence, and it's set in a smaller type size (8 to 9pt) than the body text. For detailed guidance on interior layout conventions, see our guide to professional book formatting and typesetting in Canada. And before you go to print, run through the Foglio self-publishing checklist to confirm every front matter element is in place.
Our full walkthrough of copyright page creation as part of front matter goes deeper on type treatment and design conventions.
Common Mistakes on Copyright Pages (And How Professional Typesetters Avoid Them)
Even experienced authors make errors on their copyright pages, and some of those errors can delay or block distribution approval.
Using the wrong year. The year on your copyright page is the year of first publication, not the year you finished writing. If you completed the manuscript in 2024 but published in 2026, the page reads 2026.
Using one ISBN for multiple formats. Print and ebook editions each need a unique ISBN. Listing a single number for both violates industry standards and can cause problems at distribution. The Book Designer's sample copyright page guidance makes this requirement explicit.
Wrong page placement. The copyright page belongs on the verso of the title page, full stop. Placing it after the table of contents, or on a recto (right-hand) page, signals to retailers and reviewers that the book's interior wasn't professionally produced. The importance of good typesetting goes beyond aesthetics; it directly affects how your book is received.
Omitting the All Rights Reserved statement. Without it, your copyright notice is legally incomplete in many jurisdictions, including Canada. It's a short block of text with real protective value.
Copying a US template. Many free copyright page templates circulating online are written for American publishers and omit Library and Archives Canada CIP data entirely. Canadian authors who copy these templates end up with a copyright page that's incomplete for their market. The Diggypod copyright page guide is a useful reference, but always cross-check against Canadian requirements.
Wrong type size. Professional typesetters set copyright page text at 8 to 9pt, using the same typeface family as the body text but at reduced size with slightly looser line spacing for readability. A copyright page set in the same size as body copy looks amateurish and wastes front matter space.
Foglio's typesetting service handles copyright page formatting as part of full book interior design, ensuring correct page placement, type size, line spacing, and all required legal elements are present. Running your manuscript through a professional editing pass before layout can also catch copyright page issues early; an oversight as small as a missing ISBN or wrong publication year can delay distribution approval. See every type of manuscript editing explained and proofreading vs. copyediting to understand where copyright page review fits into the editing workflow.
For a broader look at producing a polished book from start to finish, our guide on how to self-publish a book you can be proud of covers every stage. And if you're handling layout yourself, the 6 best formatting and typesetting tools for self-publishing authors in 2026 will help you choose the right software for the job.
Copyright Page FAQs
Do I legally need a copyright page in my book?
Under Canadian and US copyright law, copyright exists automatically the moment you create an original work. You don't need to register it or include a copyright page for the protection to exist. However, a copyright page serves as your public declaration of ownership and is required by most distributors, retailers, and libraries as a condition of listing. Skipping it may not strip your legal rights, but it will create practical barriers to distribution and signal an unprofessional product to buyers. Kindlepreneur's overview of what a copyright page actually does explains this distinction clearly.
What's the difference between a copyright page for print vs. ebook vs. audiobook?
Print copyright pages include all standard elements: copyright line, rights statement, print-specific ISBN, publisher info, edition notice, country of printing, CIP data, and disclaimers. Ebook copyright pages are identical except they omit the "Printed in [Country]" line and use an ebook-specific ISBN. Audiobook copyright pages follow the same structure as ebooks but reference the audiobook ISBN and may add narrator and production credits. Each format must have its own distinct ISBN.
What is Library and Archives Canada CIP data and do I need it?
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Cataloguing in Publication data is a standardised block of bibliographic information, including your title, author name, subject headings, and classification number, issued by the federal government. It appears on the copyright page and helps libraries and retailers catalogue your book accurately. Canadian authors should include LAC CIP data on their copyright page, not a US Library of Congress entry, unless the book is also formally distributed through US cataloguing channels. You can apply through the LAC website once you have a valid Canadian ISBN. Our ISBN Canada guide covers the application process. The Nonfiction Authors Association sample copyright page and The Book Designer's guide both show how CIP data blocks are formatted on the page.
Can I use the same copyright page template for fiction and non-fiction?
The structure is the same, but key text elements differ. Fiction books require a standard fiction disclaimer. Non-fiction books covering health, legal, or financial topics need a professional advice disclaimer. Non-fiction titles that quote other works extensively also need permissions and attribution statements. For understanding how metadata and cataloguing information differs between genres, see our metadata guide for Canadian self-publishers.
Where exactly does the copyright page go in a book's interior?
The copyright page always sits on the verso of the title page. In a standard front matter sequence, the half title is page i, the title page is page iii, and the copyright page is page iv. In books without a half title, the title page moves to page i and the copyright page is page ii. This is a publishing industry convention followed by all professional typesetters.
What should the copyright year be if I wrote the book over several years?
The copyright year should be the year the book is first published and made available to the public. If you publish a revised or new edition later, the convention is to list both years: "First published 2024. This edition © 2026."
