Public file

Contributor Agreements

Contributor paperwork defines role, review status, rights, assignment, payment status, and publication authority.

The standard public contributor path is unpaid and does not create employment, agency, or work-for-hire status. For accepted unpaid work, the contributor assigns copyright and related publication rights to the publisher under the accepted terms. Any paid, royalty, commission, or work-for-hire arrangement requires a separate written addendum approved before the work is accepted.

Unpaid contributor assignmentDefault public path for volunteer, community, column, photo, and freelance submissions unless a separate contract exists.

Paid or commissioned addendumReserved for specifically approved assignments with separate compensation terms before publication.

Royalty or revenue-share addendumAvailable only by written exception with defined scope, accounting basis, duration, and termination terms.

Work-for-hire addendumOnly applies when a written work-for-hire agreement is signed before the work begins and applicable law supports that classification.

Agreement paths

1. Account review2. Applicable agreement3. Rights confirmation4. Editorial acceptance5. Publication record

Contributor review Submission terms Ask about agreements