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question about copyright

I'm thinking of submitting a proposal for an article to an academic journal. I'm not really familiar with how to write proposals for academic journals and thought I'd look on their website for some clues.

Their guidelines for submitting complete manuscripts (as opposed to proposals) state that I have to write on my cover page:

"This is a draft copy of a manuscript submitted to XXX Journal. If it is accepted for publication, the copyright will be assigned to the publisher, XYZ University Press."

Does that mean that if I submit a piece and it is accepted for publication, the piece permanently belongs to the press and I have no chance to ever have it reprinted or used elsewhere?

By PhoenixRising at 09/27/2007 - 4:44pm | More Stuff to Discuss! | login or register to post comments | previous forum topic | next forum topic

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Yep, at least with the

Yep, at least with the specific journal you mention above. They are asking you to agree that you will transfer all copyrights to your piece to them. You would need to ask them for permission to reprint/use elsewhere & it's likely that the second publisher would want confirmation of that as well. It's not so much that you have no chance, but you will need to petition for approval. Some journals care more than others. Sometimes it's easy to get permission, sometimes they're *really* uptight about where & how & when...

I know when I get stuff that's been published elsewhere, I request confirmation that either I can publish it because copyright is retained by the author OR that I have the permissions necessary from the publisher with copyright.

Good for you for doing your research prior to publication. I'm always surprised when people submit stuff they've already had published & then are shocked that I want to talk with the original publisher just to verify where the copyright lies... :)

"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library

By Susan at Thu, 09/27/2007 - 9:19pm | login or register to post comments

All that said, you may be

All that said, you may be able to negotiate terms with them. The larger the publisher, the less likely they are willing to bend on this point though... worth checking with them though!

"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library

By Susan at Thu, 09/27/2007 - 9:20pm | login or register to post comments

that is something between

that is something between the press and the author - my book, like many small press I think, says I have copyright over it. Look in the front of my book. there is specifics. I think it says me and atomic have copyright and others can only excerpt for review or else they need our permission.

it has proffessional wording, you could nap some of that. because who has copyright is a talked when you do your book deal and I'm sure you would do the same as me. or I think. its not very unusual wording.

(I decided to cover my bases and not have it anti-copyright, thats a whole other discussion. but I figure the rabbits live free, and I won't tell nobody nothing, but at least I got legal rights if some asshole type thing comes up.)

By China at Thu, 09/27/2007 - 7:50pm | login or register to post comments