What's more, some Parenting editors have told writers that the publisher will expect free electronic rights for future works. Even a child knows that it isn't good business to give your product away for free. Last spring, the magazine started asking permission to put articles online for free. New pleas from online editor James Rodewald have reportedly been received by several freelancers, including at least one who rejected the request the first time around.
Several writers have cc'd Contracts Watch with their refusal letters.
Additionally, every contract I sign for print stories now also includes a clause that specifies additional payment should that work be reused electronically. The Times contract and other rights grabs were the talk among freelancers at last week's annual conference of the Society of American Travel Writers , in Ecuador. Travel writers, who are used to peddling their wares widely, are particularly offended by the amnesty provision that would absolve the paper of liability for having reused past works illegally. Apparently, the folks in LA are not the only publishers who are so nervous about past infringements that they're trying to cover their corporate posteriors. Should the Digest policy change in the future, please let me know.