Steps for Authors

1.  Anticipate your future needs to use the materials

• Consider how you or others will need to use your work in the future and request reasonable rights for yourself and your institution.
• Some basic rights you should try to reserve are:
  • Use for teaching purposes – in classroom, distance education, and lectures or seminars
  • Posting to your personal website and/or to an institutional or subject repository (e.g. MINDS@UW, PubMedCentral for NIH grantees)
  • Sharing with colleagues
  • Making derivative works

2. Understand the publication agreement and the rights it gives you as an author

• Before signing the publication agreement read the fine print
• Ask questions to make sure you understand what rights it gives you as an author
• Consult with the UW-Madison Libraries who can help you understand the implications of the rights outlined in the publication agreement

3. Negotiate with the publisher to retain the rights you need

• Do not be afraid to negotiate. Publishers are interested in your work and are often used to getting such request.
• Use the tools below, which outline your options for managing copyright and resources that may facilitate your negotiations and consult with the Libraries for assistance
• If the publisher says “no”, make sure you understand why and then you can weigh your options: consider negotiating fewer rights for yourself, accept the agreement as it stands or consider another publisher. You must do what is right for you

Need Assistance Managing Your Copyright?

• Copyright FAQ
• Contact the libraries’ Head of Scholarly Communication Carrie Nelson
• See Copyright & Fair Use for more information on the copyright basics, copyright and reserves, and more