Get Your LCCN & CIP

The Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) and CIP (Category In Publishing) are two things that go on your copyright page and should be added before you publish, so don't delay until the last minute.
When you visit the first link for LCCN, you'll need to create an account and log in before you'll see the link to request your LCCN.
The LCCN process is dependent upon whether you are an Author or a Publisher. If you have created a company for yourself and are printing your book under an imprint or publisher name (e.g. Little Labradoodle Publishing) then follow the publisher path.
The full guide on the web site appears here:
www.loc.gov/publish/prepubboo...
1) If you are a Publisher:
Note: You will need to request to be added as a publisher before you can complete the process (if you're not already in the system)
Publisher Link:
locexternal.servicenowservice...
2) Authors - You can go directly to this as soon as you have an ISBN number.
Author Link:
locexternal.servicenowservice...
Link for CIP Block:
cipblock.com/cip/
This is for individuals who do not publish others' (3 or more) and would not qualify for Library of Congress CIP block.

[@dailydosewebtoon]

Thank you so much for this.

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

You're welcome! I have a new 12 week workgroup starting on 1/21 if you're interested. Https://www.thelittlelabradoodle.com/author-workgroup

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

You're welcome! What other areas are you looking for assistance on?

[@mcbunn2284]

Very helpful tutorial and links!

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Glad to hear it!

[@OverallBuddies]

Thank you... question, to be eligible for a CIP LOC site says a publisher has to have published at least 3 books....is there a way around that? Or what is your advice? Thank you

[@aprilcox2792]

Yes go to cipblock.com - > bypass that requirement altogether by using them to get your CIP Block created vs. loc.

[@Pamsdogacademy]

For the CIP, do I need to have my book finished? I am not quite finished with my book. Thanks, Pam

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

No you can do it ahead of time.

[@dailyspiritualdietelizabet7777]

Great video

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Thanks. Welcome!!!

[@RasheedaArthur]

Greetings April, Great video! Extremely helpful! Quick question: In reviewing many children's board books from the library, I noticed that many do not include the actual CIP data block. Instead, I noticed that many board books include the ISBN, LCCN, AND the following statement " Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available." That is, they do not actually include the CIP data. My question: As a self-publisher, would this approach scream "self-publisher" and therefore serve as a flag that could de-legitimize my book? Or is this a stylistic approach found primarily in board books?

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Great question. It may be best to ask a librarian how that is interpreted on their end. Thanks for sharing!

[@RasheedaArthur]

@@SelfPubMadeSimple Thanks for your assistance!!

[@KM-ez4dh]

Hi April! Just discovered this great tutorial. I have two questions: I'm a self-publishing author who created a publishing imprint that the book will be published under. Do I register for the LCCN using the publishing route you listed above? Second question: my book is adult fiction (romance) - do I need a CIP as well, or is that more for literary/educational/library-bound types of books? Thanks for any info you can provide and thank you for all your great online resources!

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

CIP is used for romance as well. If you have a publishing company and publish other peoples books I would use the publisher link otherwise the author link is fine.

[@rievans57]

Great video. Very informative. So Cip Service creates the PCIP for self-published writers?

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Yes that's right. You can go to cipblock.com and they will help you!

[@Pamsdogacademy]

I am working with a publisher who wants to charge me $1499 to get an LCCN. Why? It is free for me to apply for one as an author. Is that right? Thank you for the tutorial!

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Run. I’m happy to help you or you can join my author workgroup starting on 6/20.

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Yes they shouldn’t be charging you. Perhaps they are charging for their time to create it for you?

[@kendra8423]

If you are an author who writes under a pen name, are you allowed to fill everything out as your pen name?

[@SelfPubMadeSimple]

Your pane name would be the author name but your personal name or business is still the owner of your copyright etc.