Do I get paid for an article in a book?

Question

've contributed an article to a volume which is a collection of articles and an introduction (by the editor of the volume). The editor says that she's signed a contract with the publisher, but she hasn't mentioned whether any of the contributers get paid for their contributions to the volume. What's normal in academic publishing? This is my first article in a book; I'm a postgraduate student.

Answer 1

Sometimes yes...sometimes no. If the editor didn't mention an honorarium up front, then you probably won't get paid...just the credential. But depending on what field you are taking up, being published in an academic book has value too.

Answer 2

You should have worked this out BEFORE submission, not now when she is already working with a publisher. Did you sign anything? I would contact her immediately and ask her how she intends to compensate you. If she rambles about no compensation, pull your article and go elsewhere. Money flows toward the writer (academic or not). There is zero reason to allow someone else to profit off of your hard work without compensation.

Demand to know what rights she is buying. The last thing you want is to give up all of your copyright to the article because you didn't get the facts now. And if she gives you lip, threaten to contact the publisher directly about her copyright infringement.

Answer 3

It all depends on the agreement before the book was published. With the setting of the book you describe, my guess is that you won't get a dime in direct money. However, you can note this in your resume or vitae and that carries a great deal of weight. You are now a published author! That's the good news. The bad news is beyond your name on that chapter or article, nothing more is likely to immediately come your way.