Can an editor change the title of my story without my knowledge and permission? Is he liable for injunction?

Question

I had sent a short story to an Editor for publication. He published it but changed the title of the story without my knowledge and permission. Is he entitled to do so? If not, what would be my remedies?

Answer 1

That depends entirely on the contract you signed. Usually - yes they can. They can edit the story and change a title as they see fit without your permission. The same goes with a book once you sell it to a publisher.

Review your contract and see what the clause regarding editing says. If there was no contract, check the submission guidelines and rules for submission. It will say so in there.

If you wish, you can contact an attorney who specializes in literary matters, but if it is just a short story, I doubt any lawyer would take your case unless it is a very major publication and they specifically broke a contract.

Otherwise they would probably advise you it isn't worth the legal fees. In that case, if they broke the contract and it is a small publication, they might publish a retraction. But my guess is there isn't much you can do.

Pax - C

Answer 2

I even have study the responses you have gained. I even have adventure contained in the sector of recent and used automobile sales and financing. Spifman1 is right for the main section, different than you prefer to nevertheless sign the call if your call seems on it. the different individual on the call can't eliminate your call devoid of producing some evidence which you're deceased or a capability of criminal expert. If it have been that straightforward, anybody co-signing for an automobile could have their names bumped off presently after the acquisition. of course i could touch the Secretary of State of branch of motorized automobiles and request a reproduction of the unique call. counting on how some time past the acquisition replaced into made, there must be information on the dealership the place the motor vehicle replaced into offered. you'll want the 365 days, make, kind, and VIN quantity to do your analyze. Get the state which issued you the call to offer you a reproduction of the unique call that exhibits your call. Then examine to be sure the call has been replaced. the only way the DMV or Secretary of State can exchange a call is that if the lien has been paid. IF there continues to be funds due on the lien, then no longer something on the call can get replaced. it relatively is between the downfalls of being a co-signer. examine with the lienholder and spot if the account is paid in finished. If no longer, convey it to their interest that the call has been changed and that they'd have their criminal group examine into the difficulty. If there has been a contravention then their %. of legal professionals will document forgery expenditures against whomever did the nasty deed. If there's a stability nevertheless due ... then you are nevertheless in charge for the mortgage basically by using fact the maker is, inspite of what the call says on it. The finance business enterprise is thinking their settlement ... the automobile is basically collateral. another ploy you need to use ... flow to the DMV or Secretary of S tate, which ever you have and tell them you lost your call and desire a reproduction. verify you have the 365 days make kind and VIN. which will help develop flags on the government end. sturdy success ... additionally be conscious this will not be resolved over night ... so take each and each step with sturdy theory and workout sturdy staying power.

Answer 3

In a word, yes. Usually that is spelled out in the contract or in their submissions information. If a statement to the effect that the publisher/editor has the option to change the title is not in either the contract or submission information there may be an avenue available for suit. It is, however, understood through tacit agreement that they have the option. I have had several titles changed by publishers and editors over the years and there was never a problem because I am not married to my titles and my ego doesn't get bent because of such a small detail. They have their reasons...

They will usually advise you of such changes, but they are not obligated to do so.

J.

http://www.jrichardjacobs.net

"The speed of the brain is inversely proportional to the speed of the mouth squared."

Answer 4

When you submit your work to an editor, it is understood that he/she may edit it, and that includes the title. Oftentimes, this only happens after a consultation with the author, but it doesn't have to. As long as they pay you the agreed upon sum and give you credit, it becomes their property in most contracts.

Even if they did consult with you, publication would likely be withheld unless you agreed to the changes suggested by the editor.

Once you become an established money-maker for a publisher, you will have more say in what can and cannot be changed.

If you signed a publication contract, check the verbiage regarding the editor's ability to make changes.

But remember this, editors are there to make your work even better. Most of them have proven their ability to do so (or they wouldn't be in the position they are in). Trust them to make you a better writer.

Answer 5

yes, an editor can make whatever changes to your story he wants to and you can't really do anything about it. when he buys the story, he typcially buys rights to the first publication of that story, unless you signed a different sort of contract assigning all rights to him. that means that for this publication, he can do what he wants. once the story is published, the rights revert back to you and you can put the story back in order if you want to.

it's bad form, though, to do this without at least telling you first. so take note and don't send him work again if you don't want this to happen.

for god's sake, whatever you do, don't get all huffy with him or send him a nasty email or whatever. you want the option of blacklisting HIM, but you don't want to be blacklisted.

Answer 6

Oh, for Heaven's sake! You just got published. That's a dream a lot of aspiring authors never obtain. He changed your title to make the story more appealing to a larger audience, and therefore increase exposure to your work, and you want a "remedy" for that? Here's a remedy...don't send in any more of your stories to be published.

Answer 7

Did you sign a release? If you did, it probably gave them permission to edit. Only authors with clout can get a clause giving them the right to final approval.

Answer 8

you should call a lawyer. You may be able to get money out of this!!!