Project Gutenberg: More Than Just Free Books

by Mark O'Neill

If you've heard of Project Gutenberg, you probably know it for its vast collection of free public domain books. But do you know everything it offers and how to make the best of the site?

With an army of volunteers scanning, proofreading, and editing public domain works, being able to discover obscure works of literature is now easier than ever. Project Gutenberg, which has over 45,000 books on offer (at the time of writing), aims to ensure that no book will ever truly disappear.

Project Gutenberg also offers audiobooks and the chance to help get involved in the project. This guide will teach you:
- about the concept of public domain works
- how to find and use audiobooks through Librivox
- the quickest way to self-publish your own books
- how distributed proofreading works and how to get involved
- some cool tools and tricks of the Project Gutenberg site
- and will suggest some great starting points for your reading.

Genres: Nonfiction

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2014

Reviews

[Adrian]

This short book is a guide to all things Project Gutenberg, from how it was founded, it's mission to digitise as many books in the public domain (i.e. out of copyright) as possible, to how you can volunteer to proof read, which I think I will be signing up to.

The books on offer, given most countries copyright laws are for the life of the author plus a further 70 years, are all classics and you get the opportunity to read older/rare editions of books which may include illustrations that have not been carried forward into newer editions of the work.

Excitingly, they are now also producing audio-book versions too, read by volunteers. I don't think I will be helping out with that as no-one wants to hears classic literature in my mangled Scouser/midland/London accent!

[Angela Randall]

Very cool guide about Project Gutenberg. Especially useful if you want to get involved in the project.