Copyright issues with anthologies? ?

Question

I have been trying to write a book and have it published for a while now. However, at the moment, my short stories are the best things I have written. I would kind of like to see about just publishing a book of my short stories until I can write a full-length novel. The problem is that some of my best short stories have been published in other anthologies. My question is, would I still be able to publish these stories in a book of my own, or does the anthology  was originally published in own the rights?

Lynn Bodoni · Accepted Answer

That's going to depend.  Did you sell the copyright?  Did you sell them the right to publish the story first, and did they publish it?  You need to go back through your contracts with the anthologies, because the rights that you sold and retained will vary.

Jay · Answer

When you submitted your works for the anthologies, there must have been a statement about who owns the copyright.  Usually, you will sign an agreement of some sort that gives them the copyright.  You can also look in the anthology and see if there is a copyright notice.

Be aware that copyright can be asserted without registration, so even if they haven't filed with the Library of Congress' Copyright Office, they may still have a copyright.

So, unless you have something in writing that says that you retain all rights, I'd be very careful.

The Arbiter of common sense · Answer

You own the copyright.  If you specifically licensed it to a publisher, they may hold the rights for now. Look at your contracts.

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on what rights/licenses you conveyed to the other publishers.

Chances are, you are in the clear

Trending News

Copyright issues with anthologies? ?

4 Answers