Feb 18 2009
Preparing a Permissions Request
Once you’ve determined who owns the copyright and how to contact the copyright holder, you’re ready to prepare your permissions request.
When I do permissions requests I prepare a two-page request that includes an introductory letter and a fill-in-the-blank form. If I know I’ll be filling out an online form I’ll skip the letter but I still prepare the form. Why? The form gives me a handy reference tool for when I need to do follow-ups or send requests to additional and/or alternate sources.
For example, I’ve submitted my permissions request to The Southwestern Journal of Anthropology without a problem. But when I receive the Journal’s contract, the contract specifies that the contract is only valid if I have also obtained permission from the article’s author. Because I have kept a copy of my request letter and form on the computer, all I need to do is change the contact information, save and print out the newly revised request, and send it on its way.
Being organized has its rewards!
In the next series of posts I will go over what is needed in the introductory letter and the form.
© 2009 Anne Wallingford. All Rights Reserved.
