From the Publisher

For JLP, getting an English-language book published is only the beginning.

Our initial publishing approach relied primarily on Amazon KDP. That provided a practical way to establish the English edition, make it available internationally, and learn how the process worked. But as JLP’s publishing program develops, it has become increasingly clear that one platform cannot provide every useful route to readers.

JLP is therefore moving toward a Wide Publication Platforms approach: making eligible English-language editions available through multiple publishing and distribution outlets rather than relying on a single platform.

At the same time, we have clarified an equally important part of our publishing policy: JLP does not acquire copyright in an author’s work.

These two changes are connected by a simple principle. JLP’s role is to help bring an author’s work into the international English-language market—not to take ownership of the author’s underlying intellectual property.

Dr. Jamshid Hosseini-Chaleshtari, Ph.D.
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Jade Lotus Press

From One Platform to Multiple Outlets

Amazon KDP remains an important publication platform. It is not, however, the entire international publishing ecosystem.

Under JLP’s developing wide-publication model, an English-language edition may be made available through multiple outlets, including:

Amazon KDP — Publication through Amazon’s Kindle and print-on-demand ecosystem.

Draft2Digital — Distribution of eligible ebooks and, where applicable, print editions through multiple retail and library channels.

Draft2Digital currently offers distribution through a broad network of retail, subscription, and library channels. Its current digital distribution partners include Amazon (by invitation), Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (including Kobo Plus), Smashwords Store, Bookshop.org, Tolino, OverDrive, cloudLibrary, Everand, Hoopla, Vivlio, BorrowBox, and Gardners. Eligible channels can be selected individually.

Google Play Books — An additional ebook distribution channel reaching readers who use Google’s book ecosystem.

IngramSpark — A major print and distribution platform that can provide access to bookstores, libraries, wholesalers, and other trade channels.

Why JLP Is Making This Change

Readers do not all buy books in the same place. Different countries, devices, libraries, bookstores, and digital ecosystems use different distribution channels.

A single platform can therefore provide substantial reach without providing complete reach. For an international publisher working with authors from Asia, that distinction matters.

The objective is to make English-language editions available through appropriate international channels rather than assuming that one retailer is sufficient for every book and every reader.

What “Wide Publication” Does—and Does Not—Mean

Wide publication does not mean that an author must manage several publishing accounts personally.

Under JLP’s Guided Self-Publishing model, Jade Lotus Press remains the publisher of the English-language edition. JLP manages publication and distribution as part of the publishing relationship.

Wide publication also does not mean that every title will automatically appear on every available platform. Different books may have different distribution requirements, and platform availability can change. JLP will determine which outlets are appropriate for a particular English-language edition.

The underlying objective is straightforward: more appropriate routes to international readers without transferring the administrative burden to the author.

The Cost of Expanding Publication

For literary authors whose manuscripts have been accepted for publication by JLP, expanding beyond Amazon KDP means that JLP makes a real investment in bringing the English-language edition to readers through additional channels. We believe that investment should be transparent.

JLP pays these project costs initially, so the Author pays nothing upfront. The investment is then recouped from royalties generated by the English-language edition before the applicable royalty share is paid to the Author. For a typical 250–350-page manuscript, our current working figures are shown below.

The figures are working estimates rather than a fee charged to the Author. In-house services currently provided by JLP at no additional charge remain at $0, while any unusual or title-specific expense is included only when actually incurred.

A Second Important Development: Copyright

As JLP’s publishing agreements have evolved, we have also clarified an issue that deserves very straightforward treatment.

JLP does not take ownership of an author’s copyright.

The author retains copyright in the original work. JLP also does not acquire copyright in the English-language edition merely because JLP publishes, translates, edits, produces, or distributes that edition.

The publishing relationship gives JLP the rights necessary to perform its role as publisher under the agreement. Those publishing rights are not the same thing as ownership of the author’s copyright.

Why We Are Making This Clear

Authors sometimes encounter publishing arrangements in which copyright, translation rights, publishing rights, and distribution rights are discussed together. That can make it difficult to understand what an author actually owns and what a publisher actually receives.

JLP’s position is deliberately simpler. The author owns the work. JLP becomes the publisher of the English-language edition under the publishing agreement. The agreement gives JLP the rights required to perform that publishing function. Those are different things.

We believe authors should understand that distinction before entering into any publishing agreement—not simply after a book has been published.

What About the English Translation?

Translation creates an additional question because the English-language text is itself a substantial creative work. JLP’s policy is that the publisher’s role does not mean that JLP takes copyright ownership of either the original work or the English-language edition.

The English edition is produced through JLP’s publishing process, including AI-assisted translation, human evaluation and editing, and the other editorial and production work required to create the finished edition.

JLP’s agreements document the publishing rights needed to produce and distribute that edition while preserving the author’s ownership position.

Copyright Registration Is a Separate Question

Copyright ownership and copyright registration are also not the same thing.

JLP does not make U.S. copyright registration a routine requirement for publication. An author may choose to register a work later if registration is appropriate for that author’s circumstances. JLP can provide documentation concerning the human editorial and publishing process when needed.

The important point is that registration does not determine who owns the copyright under JLP’s publishing model. The author retains ownership whether or not a registration is filed.

What the Author Receives

JLP’s clarified approach is also intended to make the author’s relationship with the English-language edition more transparent.

The author retains copyright. JLP serves as publisher of the English-language edition. JLP manages the publishing and distribution process.

After first publication, JLP provides the author with the English-language manuscript produced through the publishing process. The author does not have to treat the English-language edition as something permanently locked inside the publisher’s operation.

A More Complete International Publishing Model

The changes described in this issue are part of the same larger development of JLP. The model is becoming more clearly defined: original work → author retains copyright → JLP evaluates and accepts the publishing project → AI-assisted translation plus human editorial judgment → English-language edition → JLP as publisher → wide publication platforms → readers in international markets.

The objective is not to create a complicated publishing structure. It is to make the relationship between author, publisher, rights, production, and distribution easier to understand.

What Authors Should Ask Any Publisher

Key Takeaways

• JLP is moving from an Amazon-centered approach toward Wide Publication Platforms.

• Amazon KDP remains an important outlet, but it is no longer viewed as the entire distribution strategy.

• JLP is developing procedures for additional platforms including Draft2Digital, Google Play Books, and IngramSpark.

• JLP remains the publisher of the English-language edition under its Guided Self-Publishing model.

• The author retains copyright. JLP does not acquire copyright in the original work or the English-language edition.

• Publishing rights and copyright ownership are separate concepts and should be understood separately.

• Copyright registration is optional and is not a routine requirement for JLP publication.

• The English-language edition is produced through AI-assisted translation combined with human evaluation, editing, and publishing responsibility.

Looking Ahead

Future issues of the JLP International Publishing Newsletters will examine practical questions about international publishing, translation, rights, and reaching readers across markets.