Pavlov Would Be Proud

I use this picture a lot.
It expresses how I feel better than anything!

 Part of this was posted on the Pause Message Board.  But for people who haven’t been there yet, I’ll rehash it in a readable format.

I went through the process of getting a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN). 

Bottom Line:  The system isn’t created for people who aren’t endowed with OCD.

Me in a nutshell

I’d never heard of an LCCN until the sales lady at CreateSpace asked if I wanted to purchase this service from them for $49.  I didn’t mind purchasing the cover and Kindle services, but something told me that if it was a government thing, I might be able to do it for a lot less.  I said I didn’t know and would check it out to see how much it would cost for me to do it on my own.

I don’t know about you, but to me, “Free” is a great deal less than $49.00.  Unfortunately,  “free” comes with a high price tag:  10 pounds of anxiety.

Remember the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? The part about the plans on display?

“But the plans were on display . . .”

• “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.”
• “That’s the display department.”
• “With a torch.”
• “Ah, well the lights had probably gone.”
• “So had the stairs.”
• “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?”
• “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying Beware of the Leopard.”

That’s what it’s like to try and get a Library of Congress Control Number.    Instead of user friendly, I fear it’s user destructive.

Getting to the application page and putting in an application are as far apart as the walls of the Grand Canyon.  And, like ALMOST jumping over the Grand Canyon doesn’t accomplish anything to be dinged to death, i.e., it’s not as easy as it sounds.  

ü  DING–you didn’t put this in right.  

ü  DING–you skipped a space.  

ü  DING–how many books are in your series, what is the name of the series?

ü  DING–your name doesn’t match the name on your book.  (Am I the only one who wants to use a pen name?)

ü  DING, DING, DING.  

I’m not sure, but I think by the end I was salivating for dog food.  

Pavlov would be proud

The automated email after completing it said the process could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months.  I received what was called a PCN right away (within 10 hours).  

You can get the number for free if you do it before the book is published, but the application requires the name and address of the publisher. Because I’m Indie publishing, I’m the publisher even though CreateSpace is providing the conduit.  Are you confused enough yet?  If not, I’m confused enough for all of us.

I managed to get through the system.  I don’t know what I’m doing and hopefully I didn’t screw it up.

However, given my recent track record, God is not through with me yet.