Your book remains yours.
LEELA is a self-publishing platform: you are the author and the rights-holder. What follows is a plain-language explanation of how copyright, publishing rights, ISBN assignment and your data are handled. It is a summary, not a substitute for your signed publishing agreement — the agreement is the final word, and we recommend having it reviewed before you sign if you have any doubt.
Copyright ownership
You retain copyright in your manuscript and your book. LEELA does not take ownership of your work by publishing it.
Publishing and distribution rights
Your publishing agreement sets out exactly which rights (for example, the right to print, distribute and sell your book through specific channels) you grant to LEELA, for what term, and whether those rights are exclusive or non-exclusive. Nothing beyond what is written in your agreement is assumed.
Term, withdrawal and termination
The length of the agreement and how you can withdraw your book or end the arrangement are set out in your publishing agreement. Speak to your Publishing Coordinator before signing if any of this is unclear.
Author data and manuscript ownership
Your manuscript, cover files and personal information remain your data. LEELA uses them to deliver the publishing services you've selected and does not sell author data to third parties.
ISBN
LEELA provides ISBN assistance — we do not simply say "ISBN included" without explaining what that means, because the specific process depends on your edition and format:
- Who applies for the ISBN and on whose behalf
- Whose ISBN it is once assigned
- How it is assigned to your specific edition
- Whether separate formats (paperback, hardbound, eBook) require separate ISBNs
Your Publishing Coordinator will walk you through the exact ISBN process that applies to your book before publication, as part of the Review step of the Publishing Journey.