Dear Parents and Educators,
First of all, my heart goes out to everyone who is suffering from this novel coronavirus. May you and your loved ones heal quickly and get the care you need.
During this time, I’ve gotten numerous requests from librarians, teachers, and parents who’d like to read my books online as part of their distance learning. Because I’ve been sick for several weeks, I haven’t been able to make videos or respond to everyone’s emails. Sorry for that—but I have a great update to announce!
Most or all of my publishers have relaxed their Fair Use policies regarding making videos of read-alouds of my books. Below, please find some graphics that illustrate specific guidelines for each of the publishers I work with. To summarize for you, most publishers (and me!) are saying YES, you can make a video! Here are some general guidelines that most are asking for:
- Acknowledge the creators of the book (authors, illustrators, publishers)
- Share in a closed or link-only setting (not a public video for the whole world to watch, unless you’re that laughing granny, lol)
- Use for educational purposes (not for commercial, promotional, or use in selling something)
- Take it down in June or whenever you wrap up your school year
Additionally, some are asking that you contact them so they’re aware of your link (probably so they don’t red flag it and ask you to take it down). The specific guidelines by publisher are listed below.
And don’t forget—if you’re unable to make videos, many of my books are available as eBooks, audiobooks, and downloads on apps such as Overdrive or Epic!, which are made available by public libraries around the world.
It means a great deal to me that teachers are continuing to share my work during this time. These days are somewhat unsettling for authors, as many bookstores and online retailers are experiencing sales drops, and authors events are canceled for months. If you’re in a position of support, consider pre-ordering my new book, SPEAK UP, which will release during the expected duration of this pandemic.
If you have specific questions, or want to be in touch, I’m starting to feel better and hopefully will be answering emails and making new videos soon. Happy learning! We’ll get through this, as long as we continue to support one another.
With love,
Miranda Paul
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Miranda’s Books by Publisher with links/graphics on Fair Use Policy during COVID-19 closures:
Penguin Random House: Mia Moves Out, 10 Little Ninjas
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Little Libraries, Big Heroes; Speak Up (forthcoming)
Macmillan Children’s: Water is Water, Are We Pears Yet?
Little Bee Books: Trainbots, The Great Pasta Escape, Blobfish Throws a Party, Adventures to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students From Around the World
Lerner Publishing Group: One Plastic Bag, Whose Hands Are These?, Thanku: Poems of Gratitude; I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon
Lerner has not released general fair use guidelines for its titles but is requesting that teachers & librarians fill out this online form to request permissions.