FAQ's

    Registration:
  1. Do readers and authors have to register in order to use PublicBookshelf?
    Readers do not have to register to use PublicBookshelf. Authors are required to register so that their Author Dashboard can be created. During registration authors will be asked to provide their contact information as well as the information they want to include on their Author Dashboard such as their biography, photo and information about other books they have written.
  2. Is there a registration fee to join PublicBookshelf?
    No. Registration is free to all authors. Readers do not have to register.
  3. What is the Author Dashboard?
    Once you register as an author, you will automatically be taken to your Author Dashboard whenever you log into PublicBookshelf. The Author Dashboard screen has links to edit or update the information in your profile. The Author Dashboard shows any books which you have submitted to PublicBookshelf. Each book shown on the Author Dashboard will have links which will let you: a) Resubmit a new version of the book; b) Alert you if you need to review any legal agreements such as the Submission Agreement; and c) Determine the review and publication status of your book. The book's status will show as "Incomplete" until the book is published.

    4. Submission:
  4. Can I submit a sample or do I have to submit an entire book?
    In order to make a publication decision we need to see the entire manuscript which you want to have published. If you are submitting a sample book consisting of a few chapters, all of those chapters must be submitted to make a publication decision.
  5. Do you accept every book submitted for publication?
    PublicBookshelf aspires to provide content that meets certain quality and terms of use criteria. To that end, we do read through each story to make sure the content is grammatically correct, the spelling is correct, and decency standards are met before we will accept a story for publication. Before publication your book will be reviewed again and optimized for online use.
  6. Do you assign the ISBN?
    PublicBookshelf does not arrange for ISBN assignment. If your book has an ISBN number we will include it as part of the book's online information. An ISBN is not required for publication on PublicBookshelf.
  7. Can I upload my own book cover?
    Yes. If you don't upload a file with your cover art, PublicBookshelf will add a book cover prior to publication of your book.
  8. Can the book include illustrations or photos?
    Not at this time. You can submit a book for consideration with illustrations or photos, but they will be deleted from your book prior to the publication of your book.
  9. How long does it take to get a decision about submission? How long does it take to publish a book?
    Publication review can take from 2 to 4 weeks. If your book is approved for publication, the book will be published online within another 2 to 4 weeks.
  10. I have tried to submit my book several times, but the PublicBookshelf system does not seem to accept my document.
    For detailed directions on how to submit a document, you should review the Submission Guidelines.
  11. I have submitted my book for review and accepted the Submission Agreement. Why does my status show as "Incomplete" on my Author Dashboard?
    The status will show as "Incomplete" until the book is published.
  12. Can I remove my book from PublicBookshelf at a later date?
    If you want to remove your book, you should email PublicBookshelf with your request.

    13. Promotion:
  13. Will my online book be listed through PublicBookshelf on Google and other search engines?
    All books are made accessible by webcrawlers, which is how search engines compile their listings. Please be aware that this is not an overnight event. It may take several days or weeks before a webcrawler picks up your book. PublicBookshelf works to get traffic to your book, but we cannot guarantee traffic.
  14. How can I tell readers about other books I've written which are not published on PublicBookshelf?
    You can add information about your other books in your biography. The information will be included on your Author Profile.
  15. Can I add my photo to my Author Profile?
    Yes. If you want to add your photo, you should email your photo to PublicBookshelf.
  16. Will I have an email address on PublicBookshelf so readers and agents can contact me?
    No. PublicBookshelf protects the private information of all registered users. However, you can include a link to your website when you submit your book for publication. The link will be included in the "More Links" feature that is associated with each book.
  17. Are the books available for order by readers?
    PublicBookshelf does not sell books. The books are read online at no cost to the readers.

Didn't find an answer to your question? Email us.

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7-2009