Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The JEOAL Public Domain Literature Library provides a curated reading environment for narrative fiction in the public domain. Its purpose is to make these works discoverable and to offer editorial context that enriches the reading experience. This is not a scholarly edition but a reader-friendly gateway to historical texts.
Scope and selection
The catalogue includes 100 English-language books, all sourced from Project Gutenberg. Selection favors adventure, survival, and voyage literature from the 18th to early 20th centuries, with an emphasis on less-known works alongside classics. No works have been abridged or altered.
Source attribution
Every record credits Project Gutenberg as the publisher and source. Authors are listed with birth and death years where available. The catalogue does not independently verify copyright status beyond the public-domain claim of the source.
Bibliographic records
Each entry includes title, author, publisher, Library of Congress Subject Headings as keywords, a target-reader field, and a catalogue note. The catalogue note is an editorial observation on narrative style, structure, or context—not a review or summary.
Category assignment
Works are grouped into three thematic categories: Survival, Voyages, and Classic Adventures. Categories serve as navigation aids; they are not definitive literary judgments. A work may contain elements of multiple categories.
Editorial reading context
The catalogue notes are written by the editor based on selective excerpts and catalogue metadata. They are intended to highlight notable features—such as narrative voice, pacing, or descriptive choices—rather than to provide full criticism. The editor, The Editorial Team Jeoal (Fiction Editor, New Zealand), can be reached at editor@jeoal.com.
Edition facts and text measurements
Editions are as released by Project Gutenberg. No count of words or pages is provided because editions vary. The catalogue does not claim textual accuracy beyond the source.
Recommendations and related works
Category guides offer three recommended books each, with a concrete reason for selection. These are suggestions, not authoritative lists. Related works are sometimes cross-referenced within catalogue notes.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers are invited to contact the editor via the contact page to report errors or suggest additions. The catalogue is maintained by a single editor and may be updated periodically.
Public-domain limitations
All works are believed to be in the public domain in the United States. Readers outside the U.S. should verify local copyright laws. The catalogue does not guarantee copyright status for all jurisdictions.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The catalogue uses structured HTML with semantic headings and plain language. No images, scripts, or tables are employed. The goal is a clean, readable layout suitable for all users.
Independence and editorial responsibility
JEOAL is an independent project. No institutional, commercial, or academic affiliations are claimed. The editor assumes full responsibility for the content of catalogue notes and category guides.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim peer review, legal certification, librarian credentials, or that every book has been read in full. It does not use AI-generated content, promotional buzzwords, or advertising. It is a personal editorial project, not a comprehensive database.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue will be updated as new public-domain works become available. Existing entries may be revised based on reader feedback or further editorial review. The editorial standards page will reflect any significant changes.