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Re: Selling reprinted material


>sure I signed a contract saying that once I submitted the work, it was
theirs (the newspaper's) to reprint/publish on the Web, etc... So I would
need to ask the newspaper for permission to allow another publication to
reprint, no? And then I likely wouldn't be paid for it myself, since it
isn't mine anymore?<

Kate,

What you probably sold, in terms of rights, is first or one-time newspaper rights, which includes the right for them to reprint it (at no extra payment) on their own website. Basically, newspapers who have web sites buy non-exlusive electronic rights. Check and see if that isn't so.

If not, they will most likely return the electronic rights to you, so long as the web page is non-competing. All you need do is ask.

Assuming my interpretation is correct, any additional fees then belong to you.

> He suggested that I consider one of the following two
arrangements: either he pays me a set fee for the work or he pays a smaller
fee up front and then offers me half (or some other percentage) of the
revenue from the e-book's sales over time.<


These are the same basic choices you get with any book deal. You either get a flat, work-for-hire payment; or an advance and royalties.

Technically, the advance is a payment made on account, against expected revenues. However, if the book does not earn back it's advance (which is very common), publishers rarely ask for the advance back. So it amounts to being a de facto fee payment.

Which to go with depends on your financial circumstances and the track record of the publisher. If you feel that he will 1. do a good job of selling the book, and 2. there is a large enough market for it, then the second deal could make sense. If not, take the flat fee and run.

So far, btw, the history of e-books is such that it's a chancy deal at best. Were it me I'd go with door #1.


Brook 
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