Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The EEANN Public Domain Literature Library provides curated access to public-domain texts, accompanied by editorial notes that help readers understand each work’s context, style, and themes. The catalogue is designed for casual readers, students, and anyone interested in exploring classic literature with informed guidance.
Scope and selection
The library currently includes 90 works, all sourced from Project Gutenberg. Selection is made by the acquisitions editor, James Eliot, based on literary interest, thematic coherence, and the availability of editorial analysis. The catalogue does not aim for comprehensive coverage; it reflects a personal curatorial perspective.
Source attribution
Every book record clearly states that the text originates from Project Gutenberg, including the publisher field. The library does not host original scans but links to external editions. No claim is made that the library owns or has created the underlying texts.
Bibliographic records
Each record includes the title, author(s) with life dates, publisher (Project Gutenberg), subject keywords, a target-reader note, and a catalogue note. These fields are compiled from the source metadata and editorial observation. Keywords are drawn from the original Project Gutenberg cataloging.
Category assignment
Categories are assigned by the editor to group works that share narrative modes, themes, or settings. They are not definitive literary judgments; readers may find works that fit multiple categories. The category names and slugs are chosen to be descriptive rather than prescriptive.
Editorial reading context
Editorial notes are based on close reading of the texts, focusing on diction, dialogue, description, structure, and recurring imagery. The notes do not claim to represent a consensus or scholarly consensus; they are one reader’s observations intended to guide further exploration.
Edition facts and text measurements
Where applicable, editorial notes mention whether a work is a single volume, a collection, or part of a series. No detailed textual collation or edition comparison is provided. The texts are assumed to be the Project Gutenberg versions, which may vary from print editions.
Recommendations and related works
Within each category, three books are recommended as entry points. Recommendations are based on thematic relevance and the richness of the editorial note. Related works may be suggested within notes, but no automated recommendation engine is used.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers who notice errors in the editorial content or who wish to suggest additions can contact the editor at /contact-us. The library does not have a formal peer-review process but will correct factual inaccuracies when reported.
Public-domain limitations
All works in the library are believed to be in the public domain in the United States. The library does not guarantee copyright status in other jurisdictions. Readers are responsible for verifying the legal status of texts in their own country.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The catalogue uses simple HTML without images or complex styling to ensure readability across devices. Internal navigation links are provided. The editorial notes are written in plain English to be accessible to a general audience.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The library is independently managed by James Eliot. No university, commercial publisher, or literary organization sponsors or endorses the catalogue. The editor takes sole responsibility for the selection and commentary.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim peer review, legal certification, university affiliation, professional librarian credentials, or guaranteed copyright status. It does not claim that every book was manually read in full; editorial notes are based on selective reading of excerpts.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is updated periodically as new works are added or editorial notes revised. There is no fixed schedule. Changes are announced on the /about-us page.