Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The EIGOF Public Domain Literature Library aims to make selected public-domain texts more accessible by providing editorial context that does not obscure the original works. It is a reading guide, not a scholarly edition.
Scope and selection
The catalogue includes 90 English-language works from Project Gutenberg, ranging from the 17th to early 20th centuries. Selection prioritizes works that benefit from contextual notes—such as those with unfamiliar settings, complex narrative structures, or thematic links to other titles. No claim is made that these are the most important or representative works of their period.
Source attribution
All texts are sourced from Project Gutenberg, a volunteer-driven repository of public-domain transcriptions. The library does not perform independent proofreading or character encoding; it relies on the Gutenberg editions as they exist. Source URLs are provided for each book.
Bibliographic records
Each record includes the author’s full name and lifespan, publisher (always Project Gutenberg for current titles), Library of Congress subject keywords, a target-reader field, and a catalogue note written by the editor. The note describes the work’s content, narrative voice, and structure without claiming completeness or authority.
Category assignment
Categories are based on thematic affinity, not rigid genre boundaries. A single work may fit multiple categories, but it appears in only one to avoid duplication. The categories are navigation aids; their descriptions indicate typical content, not exhaustive definitions.
Editorial reading context
Editorial notes focus on how the text works—its narrative voice, pacing, imagery, and structural choices—rather than biographical interpretation or historical critique. They aim to help readers engage with the text on its own terms.
Edition facts and text measurements
No edition facts (e.g., page counts, word counts) are provided, as the catalogue emphasizes content over physical format. Readers are directed to Project Gutenberg for detailed text measurements.
Recommendations and related works
Each category guide recommends three books with concrete reasons grounded in the text. These are suggestions for further reading, not authoritative lists. Related works may be mentioned in catalogue notes where supported by available data.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers may submit feedback via the contact page. The editor reviews corrections and reports but does not guarantee changes, as the catalogue is a personal project with limited resources.
Public-domain limitations
All works are in the public domain in the United States. Readers outside the U.S. should verify local status. The catalogue does not provide legal advice or copyright guarantees.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The site uses simple HTML with semantic headings, minimal styling, and no complex layouts to ensure accessibility across devices and browsers. Text is presented in a clean, readable format.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The catalogue is edited by Joseph Hawthorne, an independent fiction editor based in the United Kingdom. It has no affiliations with universities, publishers, or commercial entities. Editorial decisions are solely the editor’s.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim peer review, legal certification, professional librarian credentials, or that every work has been read in full. It does not use AI-generated content, SEO tactics, or paid promotion.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is updated periodically as new works are added or existing notes refined. There is no fixed schedule. Readers are invited to check the site for changes.