Girls Life claims ownership of all submissions?

MJWare · Jun 12, 2010

I recently tried writing a short story from a female tween's POV and was surprisingly happy with the results.

Because it's not quite YA, I felt Girl's Life (GL) might be the perfect home for it. However, I read their submission guidelines and was shocked by what I found, "Unless submission is stated to be a possible work for hire, submission will be considered property of Girls' Life magazine."

Umm, I don't think so. I'm not interested in "works for hire" and I can't imagine simply submitting a story to GL gives them ownership of it.

Has anyone else seen submission terms like these? This seems preposterous to me.

[link:http://www.girlslife.com/page/Writers-Guidelines.aspx]

Paul · Jun 12, 2010

Sounds more like a language issue to me, but I'm sure others will know more

thothguard51 · Jun 12, 2010

Its one of those...if they can get away with it, they are going to try. If you don't like the terms, don't submit.

I didn't see where they have any known authors, but then my knowledge of YA girls and what they read is limited...

Smish · Jun 12, 2010

There's really nothing shady about it, Mike.

They are simply asking you to point out if you're submitting as a freelancer (a work for hire situation). They get lots of emails from magazine subscribers, and they often use them in the magazine (which makes the preteen girls who read the magazine happy). They DO pay for submissions sent by freelance writers, but you need to clearly state that you're a freelancer in your submission. It just makes things easier all around.

Considering they accept submissions via email, and most children's magazines do not, I don't see why it's a big deal to include a line that says, "Thank you for considering my short story at your normal freelance rate" at the bottom of your cover letter.

And I'd also put "freelance submission" in the email header (or on the envelope, if you intend to submit via snail mail).

MJWare · Jun 12, 2010

I think I see what you are saying. Basically, that GL doesn't have a separate e-mail for readers to send comments to, and that they consider all professional articles and stories, "works for hire"?

If so, then my problem is with the term "work or hire". This terminology means they would own all the rights, they'd even be considered the author, not me!
(see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_for_hire)

Of course, they may not really mean "work for hire" and just mean a freelance submission, like you say.

And I guess I can always turn down their terms if they do like it, but want to keep all the rights (what are the odds of that anyway).

But I do see what you are saying, it's probably just bad wording.

Smish said:
There's really nothing shady about it, Mike.

They are simply asking you to point out if you're submitting as a freelancer (a work for hire situation). They get lots of emails from magazine subscribers, and they often use them in the magazine (which makes the preteen girls who read the magazine happy). They DO pay for submissions sent by freelance writers, but you need to clearly state that you're a freelancer in your submission. It just makes things easier all around.

Considering they accept submissions via email, and most children's magazines do not, I don't see why it's a big deal to include a line that says, "Thank you for considering my short story at your normal freelance rate" at the bottom of your cover letter.

And I'd also put "freelance submission" in the email header (or on the envelope, if you intend to submit via snail mail).

Smish · Jun 12, 2010

mware01 said:
I think I see what you are saying. Basically, that GL doesn't have a separate e-mail for readers to send comments to, and that they consider all professional articles and stories, "works for hire"?

If so, then my problem is with the term "work or hire". This terminology means they would own all the rights, they'd even be considered the author, not me!
(see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_for_hire)

Of course, they may not really mean "work for hire" and just mean a freelance submission, like you say.

And I guess I can always turn down their terms if they do like it, but want to keep all the rights (what are the odds of that anyway).

But I do see what you are saying, it's probably just bad wording.

I believe they just mean a freelance submission. However, you can work all that out with the editor if your piece is accepted for publication. You can negotiate the terms of your contract, ask for clarification, etc.

If you decide to submit your story, keep us posted. Good luck!

MJWare · Jun 12, 2010

Smish said:
I believe they just mean a freelance submission. However, you can work all that out with the editor if your piece is accepted for publication. You can negotiate the terms of your contract, ask for clarification, etc.

If you decide to submit your story, keep us posted. Good luck!

Yes, I think your right. Though it does seem that they might want all the rights. Well, it's worth a try. I did recently get one story published with a token $2 payment--that check is going on my wall.

Girls Life claims ownership of all submissions?

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.

Paul

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.