Publication Rights for Freelance Article Writers (Infographic)

This week's "short share" is an infographic from Brian Scott and FreelanceWriting.com. It presents common examples of publication rights freelance writers might come across while negotiating contracts.

This is important information to know. I meet new writers all the time who assume that copyrights automatically transfer to clients simply because they've paid for the end result. That isn't the case. Contract language has to be fairly specific for that to happen, meaning you might have retained more rights to your work than you think.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are some great options here to help you intentionally limit the rights you sell to your work so you can take advantage of reprint sales later on.

Publication rights for freelance article writers - infographic from FreelanceWriting.com

Credit: Brian Scott, FreelanceWriting.com

If you're a freelance writer, which of these publication rights is incorporated in most of your agreements? Do you offer different publication rights than those listed here? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

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Jennifer Mattern is a professional blogger, freelance business writer, consultant, and indie author. She runs numerous websites & blogs including All Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Pros, NakedPR, and Kiss My Biz.

Jenn has 25 years' experience as a professional writer and editor and over 20 years' experience in marketing and PR (working heavily in digital PR, online marketing, social media, SEO, new media, and thought leadership publication). She also has 19 years' professional blogging and web publishing experience (including web development) and around 18 years of experience as an indie author / publisher.

Jenn also writes fiction under multiple pen names and is an Active member of the Horror Writers Association.

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