Legal Deposit

Social media, like it or loath it, is part of many of our lives. I must admit I’m not the most active person on social media, but I pop in and out of Facebook and like many writers, I follow a variety of writers’ groups, most of them with a distinct leaning towards self-publishing.

I’ve been an Indie author for many years, having arrived there through the traditional publishing route after becoming thoroughly disillusioned by the policies and practices of the aforesaid traditional publishers. So, over the years, I’ve developed extensive experience in all aspects of indie publishing, otherwise known as self-publishing.

Returning to social media, one thing that has struck me recently is that many of the newer indie authors think that writing and publishing is the end of the journey. All they need to do is market and sell their book. Few, it seems, are aware of their legal responsibilities after publication.

On Facebook, I frequently see posts in various writers’ groups expressing concern at the receipt of a request for their book to be sent to the Legal Deposit Libraries. The authors concerned are usually asking whether this request is genuine and whether anyone else has received one.

Responses often vary from “ignore it”, “it’s a scam”, and even “if they want my books they can buy them like everyone else”. This type of comment often outweighs the few comments which give accurate information.

This kind of social media interaction highlights the lack of knowledge that a fair number of indie authors have about their legal responsibilities to provide copies of their self-published books for legal deposit.

Who is responsible

Before I go any further, it might be best to define on whom the legal responsibility lies. Please note, this article refers to the legal situation in the UK, although my understanding is that legal deposit is required in most countries.