Q&A: All Rights?

Good Afternoon,

If I sell an article to a magazine that buys “all rights”, would I then not be able to use that article in a book someday?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

Yes, Andy, “all rights” means just that; unless you get permission to use the article in a book, you couldn’t don’t have the right to use it because you sold all rights.

You could, however, rewrite it and if it’s a substantial rewrite, it’s brand new. How much rewrtiting is substantial is hard to quantify. The best approach is to take a new angle on the subject, or expand it with more research, etc.

I find rewrting quite easy so I don’t worry too much if someone wants all rights, provided I’m well paid. Others disagree with me and tend to avoid selling all rights.

It’s certainly fair to ask the magazine if they will accept “first serial rights” instead. This gives them the right to publish it first, then you can resell it to reprint markets or use it any way you want. BTW, ’serial’ refers to magazines… which are published one issue followed by another, etc.

If you have a question about freelance writing, email it to me at: anne@annewayman.com and put Q&A in the subject line.

Write well and often,

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