FAQ

1. Why isn't (a particular title) available to read on your site? Depending on the title, there are a few reasons. First, it may not be in the public domain (this is true with a large chunk of Ruth Plumly Thompson's books, and all of John R. Neill's, Rachel Cosgrove Payes, and Eloise McGraw's books). Second, e-texts take time to set up. If the work has not previously been made available as an e-text, then it must be prepared for one. Then, I have to get it set up for the site. Third, it may be beyond the scope of this website.
2. What is "public domain?" It's a state where exclusive copyright has been waived or lapsed on a work, and the work is available for anyone to post, reissue, adapt or derive new works from.
3. Why are certain Oz books public domain and others are not? In the case of L. Frank Baum's works, the copyrights lapsed with no extensions being filed or granted. Copyrights were renewed on some of his works, and due to the changing copyright laws, his last book went into the public domain in 1986. Ruth Plumly Thompson renewed the copyrights on her first several Oz books, but declined to do so on her later ones as she had no heir and the books were out of print at the time. John R. Neill's heirs have kept his works under copyright. Jack Snow had no heirs and did not renew his copyrights as he died ten years after his first Oz book was published. Rachel Cosgrove Payes and Eloise McGraw maintained their copyrights until their deaths.
4. Will the other books be added when they go into the public domain? I can't say as the first one, The Cowardly Lion of Oz, goes into public domain in 2018. I have no intention not to add these books, but as that is three years in the future, I am making no promises. I may pursue another method for sharing these texts by that time or may not be updating the site at that time.
5. Can books outside of the Famous Forty be added? If there is a significant Oz connection and it is public domain, then yes. Otherwise, they fall outside of the scope of this site. Significant Oz connections include: written by an author or illustrator of the Famous Forty Oz books, a further Oz story by another writer, or a work that is of importance to Oz fans and scholars, such as a biography about an author or illustrator of the Famous Forty.
6. Will you post a short story I wrote on your site? While that's a possibility, it might be best to look into other hosting options as the public domain branding at the top of the page may confuse readers as to whether or not your work is public domain. In most cases, you own the copyright to your work, even if you've put it online for free viewing.
7. How is copyright filed? For many years, you had to mail a form, two copies of your book and payment to register your book for copyright. Today, while that is still the proper way, copyright is generally granted for all original works upon publication.