Publishing Rights - Writers Forum

DamionAlexander · 08-25-2007, 08:11 PM

I've written a few short stories which I think are pretty good, and I plan on writing several more. Should I try to publish them each individually in magazines or should I finish the others and attempt to publish them all in a collection? Can I do both, or do they own for good once I publish with a magazine?

mammamaia · 08-25-2007, 08:18 PM

i doubt you'll find a publisher willing to take on a collection by an unknown new writer, so your best bet is to have some published in paying venues first... they only take 'first rights' so you can then reprint them elsewhere later...

if you self-publish a collection, your chances of finding reprint venues for the individual stories are slim, as most magazines/literary journals want those 'first rights'...

DamionAlexander · 08-25-2007, 08:48 PM

thanks

valeca · 08-26-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

your best bet is to have some published in paying venues first... they only take 'first rights' so you can then reprint them elsewhere later...

That 'only' is a bit misleading. Other rights are often requested, too. If you're accepted somewhere, read the contract carefully to see what they are asking for specifically. And don't sign unless you're sure.

mammamaia · 08-26-2007, 05:30 PM

true... i meant the 'only' as opposed to reprint, but it did come out as misleading and i should have added what you did, val... thanks for the catch...

hugs, m