Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The QEQEB Public Domain Literature Library exists to provide editorial context for public-domain science fiction texts, making them more accessible and discoverable for modern readers. It is not a hosting platform but a guided reading resource that points to verified editions from Project Gutenberg.
Scope and selection
The catalogue currently includes 92 works, primarily mid-20th-century short stories and novellas from the pulp and early paperback eras. Selection is based on availability in the public domain, literary or historical interest, and the ability to form meaningful thematic groupings. No work is included solely for popularity or completeness.
Source attribution
Every book record acknowledges its source as Project Gutenberg, with author names, birth and death dates, and illustrator credits where available. The catalogue does not host or alter the original texts; it provides editorial summaries and reading notes. Internal links lead to the corresponding book pages on the QEQEB site.
Bibliographic records
Bibliographic information is drawn from Project Gutenberg metadata and Library of Congress subject headings. Each record includes keywords, target reader designation, and a supplementary catalogue note. Dates are included only when present in the source data.
Category assignment
Works are assigned to categories based on thematic affinities—shared concerns with future societies, invention, cosmic journeys, or investigation. These categories are editorial constructs meant to aid navigation, not definitive literary judgments. Some works may fit multiple categories; the assignment reflects the most prominent theme.
Editorial reading context
Catalogue notes are prepared as supplementary catalogue material. They summarize plots and themes without claiming exhaustive analysis. The notes aim to help readers decide whether a work matches their interests, not to replace the experience of reading the original.
Edition facts and Where source text can be measured reliably, word count and estimated reading time may be provided as reading-scope information. Readers are directed to the original source for authoritative text.
Recommendations and related works
Each category guide recommends three specific works with concrete reasons. These recommendations are based on representativeness, literary merit, and diversity of approach. Related works are suggested through internal links and keyword connections.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers may submit corrections or suggestions via the contact form at /contact-us. the catalogue project updates the catalogue as needed. No automated error-checking is used.
Public-domain limitations
Only works known to be in the public domain in the United States are included. The catalogue does not conduct independent copyright research beyond verifying Project Gutenberg's public-domain status. Readers outside the U.S. should check local copyright laws.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The catalogue uses clean HTML without inline styles or scripts. Pages are designed for readability with semantic headings and simple navigation. No images or external resources are required.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The QEQEB library is an independent project by the catalogue project no institutional or corporate affiliation. Editorial decisions are made solely by the catalogue project, based on the works themselves and their public-domain status.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim peer review, legal certification, university affiliation, or professional librarian credentials. It does not guarantee that every work has been read in full by the catalogue project (though each has), nor does it assert copyright status beyond public-domain sourcing. Some supplementary catalogue material may be prepared with automated assistance and is provided as reading context rather than authoritative scholarship.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is updated periodically as new public-domain works become available or as editorial resources permit. There is no fixed schedule. All updates are noted on the site's blog, accessible from /about-us.