Image Permissions

Authors are reminded that all use of either unpublished or published works requires permission from the copyright holder. Useful copyright guidelines prepared by the University of Chicago Press with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation are freely available. A recommended book exploring intellectual property law as it pertains to visual imagery is Susan Bielstein’s Permissions: A Survival Guide, (University of Chicago Press, 2006).

A sample permissions-request letter with suggested wording for obtaining permission to reuse images is provided. Emphasizing that the book or article you are writing is of a specialist, scholarly nature and will be published by a non-profit institution will often minimize any fees that may be charged. Many permissions can be cleared online at http://www.copyright.com or the publisher’s own website, but a direct written approach to the press or museum will often result in reduced costs. Covering the cost of obtaining permissions is the responsibility of the author.

Digital Art

Incorrectly prepared digital art is the most common problem publishers face in book and journal production. As well as the information provided in the ASCSA Author Guidelines, useful guidance can be obtained by downloading the Digital Art Requirements for Submission prepared by the Association of American University Presses (PDF format, 2.2 MB). Authors are encouraged to contact the Managing Editor with any questions.