I’ve been writing for on online publication for the past year, primarily for a column they run that features different people in our city.
I’m interested in taking my interviews and turning them into a book that features each person, especially the advice they’ve given as part of their interview.
Can I use those stories and turn them into my own book, or do those pieces belong to the magazine? I wouldn’t print those, but take my notes to create new pieces.
– J
I’m not an attorney and this isn’t legal advice. Please contact an attorney with your specific questions.
That said:
You’ll need to ask the magazine for a copy of your contract with them if you don’t still have it. If they didn’t give you a contract, tell them you’re planning to compile your interviews into a book. If you mention the magazine in the book, they probably won’t mind. Absent a work-for-hire contract, it’s highly doubtful they would be able to claim all rights to the work since you’re a contractor.
Angela Hoy lives on a mountain in North Georgia. She is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the President and CEO of BookLocker.com and AbuzzPress, and the author of 24 books.
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