The Journey to Obtaining Copyrights...

As you embark on this journey to obtaining the rights to song lyrics, lines of poetry, and authors' quotes, here are some helpful nuggets of advice:

• If you're researching song lyrics, find out which label represents the artist and then visit the record label's website. Once on this page, search for contact information.

• If you're researching lines of poetry or a deceased author's work(s), determine which estate/literary agency owns the rights to the author's work(s) and then visit the estate's/literary agency's website. From here, determine which agent is representing the poet. That is the agent with whom you will then need to communicate.

• If you're researching a quote spoken/written by a living author, visit the author's website and search for contact information. Your best bet will probably be to contact the author's agent rather than the actual author.

• Whenever possible, find a name for the person you intend to contact. This will make your email/letter more personal.

Don't forget to keep track of this process. You should have notes about who you contacted--and when you contacted them--recorded somewhere safe. This will eventually be used for a portfolio that will map your travels... from student, to published author!