Here you can find a collection of resources on open access books for authors, gathered by the Open Access Books Network. We created some of these ourselves, and some were created and shared by other organisations for the benefit of all.
OAPEN Open Access Books Toolkit
The OAPEN Open Access Books Toolkit aims to help book authors to better understand open access (OA) book publishing and to increase trust in OA books. This free and public information resource includes a vast number of short articles on OA book publishing following the research lifecycle, which may be helpful for those interested in OA book publishing. Access the Toolkit.
OA Books: Author Success Stories
A collection within the OAPEN Open Access Books Toolkit, these are examples of authors who have published different types of book in open access, with a range of publishers. Access the collection.
This video series seeks to dispel a number of key myths around OA books. In these short videos, common statements are addressed by fellow community members, informally known as ‘the OA Mythbusters’. Read more.
OASPA: the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association
OASPA is an independent association that recognises and supports open access publishing. Its members all have to pass its review process and adhere to its code of conduct. View the list of OASPA members.
The Open Book Collective (OBC)
The Open Book Collective brings together OA publishers, OA publishing service providers, libraries, and other research institutions to create a new, mutually supportive ecosystem for the thriving of OA book publishing. The Collective only admits OA presses who meet their membership criteria. Find out more about the OBC.
Open Publishing Associations
There are a number of new national associations that gather together institutional presses who are geared toward OA publishing. Some of the ones the OABN has collaborated with include: the Open Institutional Publishing Association (OIPA) in the UK, the Irish Open Access Publishers (IOAP) in Ireland, the New University Presses (NUPs) in The Netherlands, and AG Universitätsverlage in Germany.
This series is a collection of five talks with humanities scholars from different disciplines about their research and (OA) book project. In this series, they share good practices and innovative ways regarding the writing, production, and technicalities of publishing an OA book. Access the series.
Experimental Publishing Compendium
The Experimental Publishing Compendium is a guide and reference for scholars, publishers, developers, librarians, and designers who want to challenge, push and redefine the shape, form and rationale of scholarly books. The compendium brings together tools, practices, and books to promote the publication of experimental scholarly works. Access the Compendium.
A collection of resources from AskUP on different aspects of accessibility for digital books and articles. Find out more about what you can do to make your book more accessible, and why publishers might ask you to do certain things to do this too. Access the resources.
IFLA developed the Open Access vocabulary as an easy-to-reference guide for the most widely used terms and definitions, with reference to official statements or other documents where these terms are defined. Download the guide.