Developing Published Poem Into Short Story

estateconnection · Jul 22, 2006

Hello,
Some time ago I had a long poem published under First North American Rights. I received a note from the editor before it was published that it would also make a good short story. I've been tinkering with it, but then got hung up on the question of legality. Since this poem was published and I wanted to use parts of the poem verbatim in the story, is this even possible? Would the lines in the story taken from the poem constitute a re-print? Obviously have more substance than the original poem, but the idea of the poem and actual lines of the poem would be woven through the story. Thank you in advance for any feedback.

Mark Lazer · Jul 23, 2006

Aren't you the one that has the rights still?

writeperch · Jul 23, 2006

I'm pretty sure you're golden. It wouldn't be a reprint as you're creating a new piece from it, even though you're lifting stuff verbatim. It's like writing a short story and then turning the story (maybe using it in full) into a novel.

And if you feel weird about the legality, just ask the editor about it. Or just put in your cover letter, here's a short story I wrote based on a poem I published.

At least that's my guess.

Doctor Shifty · Jul 24, 2006

I would imagine that it would only require a disclaimer - "portions of the poem 'such and such' are used by permission."

Can't see how it would be any different from using somebody else's stuff in like manner.

I've quoted in full another person's published poem in a published short story. I had permission from the poet, a friend of mine who was glad to see it in print again, and the proper recognition was given.

Kim

Developing Published Poem Into Short Story

estateconnection

Mark Lazer

writeperch

just write

Doctor Shifty

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