We get plenty of queries about new editions of books. Are the changes enough to constitute a new edition? Or maybe a revised edition? Or is it simply a reprint?
The issue is partly a subjective one, but there are some conventional standards that govern the answer to this complex question.
Here’s our non-legal advice, based on experience and a bit of research.
Reprint? New edition? Revised edition?
Before you even ask, fiction does not get new editions. Reprints, yes. Maybe even a revised edition now and then. We heard of a fiction book in which the main characters’ names and parts of the plot had to change for legal reasons, and this resulted in a revised edition.
For the most part, though, we are discussing only nonfiction books here.
Reprint
If you need to fix spelling or grammar issues and maybe update a few facts, you’re dealing with a reprint. There’s no need to mention this on the title page or cover. However, on your copyright page, note that this is a reprint. Or you could call it a second (or higher) printing. Check out our article on copyright issues to see ways to do this.
New edition
When it’s time to overhaul your book, you’ll know it. Depending on the amount of change, you will be developing either a new edition or a revised (or updated) one. Here are some items you might be dealing with:
- Rewriting facts, entire chapters, opinions
- Adding substantial material (chapters, key paragraphs, illustrations)
- Restructuring
- Redoing the design, typography, and/or layout in combination with any of the above
These changes basically make a new book, don’t you think? So give it a new edition number. And make at least some minor changes to your front and back covers (and don’t forget the spine), or change them completely.
You can read the Saga of our Second Edition, which is quite humorous in hindsight!
Revised or updated edition
On the other hand, you might simply need to add a foreword, or redo your preface. You might decide to include an index. Or you might even revise your conclusion or your main point. You can even change the title of your book, since an official copyright doesn’t cover the book’s title at all. In these cases, you are probably dealing with a revised edition.
An updated edition would include new, fresher data. Or, perhaps in a cookbook, ingredients that are more nutritious. You get the idea.
There is little difference between a revised edition and an updated edition. Use the phrase that suits you best.
A new edition’s copyright page
ISBN
A new edition requires a new ISBN. We hope you purchased a block of ISBNs when you started on your publishing journey so that you can now simply assign a new number. (And it’s less expensive that way, too.)
Whether you already have your new ISBN or not, please read our article on how to obtain and assign ISBNs.
Copyright
Your original copyright protects the original edition. Your new edition will need protection, too, so please reapply for a new copyright in your country. This new copyright will cover the new elements of your book while keeping the original bits under protection at the same time. Both copyrights will expire at the same time, which is your lifetime plus 70 years.
On the copyright page, list your copyright dates in order, with the new edition first, as in this example for a third edition:
Copyright © 2026, 2021, 2018 by Author Name
As a reminder, you get your official copyright in the United States from the U.S Copyright Office. In Canada, it’s through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
A revised or updated edition’s copyright page
There’s no need to assign a new ISBN or apply for a new copyright.
It’s smart to add “Revised Edition” or “Updated Edition” on the cover and title page. And maybe redesign your book cover. The back cover copy could be rewritten or redesigned, too, to discuss the new features. Take advantage of this good opportunity to revitalize your marketing campaign and give your sales a boost.
On the copyright page, try something like this:
Revised edition 2026
First edition copyright © 2021 by Author Name
or
Copyright © 2021 by Author Name. Revised edition 2026.
We hope this clears up these issues for you at least a little. Chances are that your situation is different from the examples above. Feel free to ask us, and we’ll try to help.
In the meantime, we recommend downloading our easy (and free) copyright page template. It’ll simplify your life.
Read more: Design your book’s title page » to discover alternative locations for your copyright notice
And more: Writing your back cover copy » for the marketing refresh that your new or revised edition deserves
Book Design Made Simple. You can do it yourself.
[Top photo by ulleo on Pixabay.]
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