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FAQ: My local newspaper doesn't publish my favorite comic strip. How can I get it in the paper?
If you'd like to see your favorite comic strip from unitedfeatures.com or comics.com added to your local newspaper, check your paper for a mailing address, phone number or e-mail address, and send a request to the Comics or Features Editor. Editors want to create the best possible newspaper for their readers, so your input does make a difference!
FAQ: I want a copy of a certain comic strip for my own personal use. How do I get it?
Send a letter or an e-mail with a brief explanation of how you intend to use the strip. Be sure to include the date (located on the strip) and a description of the strip. Providing the words in the first pane of the strip will help get your request processed faster. Please include as many details as possible when sending a description as many strips can be similarly described. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
Contact information is as follows:
United Media
attn: Reprints Department
200 Madison Ave
4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
212-293-8500
Comic Reprints - U.S./English
reprints@unitedmedia.com
Comic Reprints - U.S./Foreign Language - Non-U.S.
reprints-int@unitedmedia.com
Original strips and signed copies of strips are unavailable. (Sorry!)
FAQ: I want to put a copy of a certain strip on my Web Site or Intranet. Is that ok?
Permission to reproduce Dilbert, Peanuts, Get Fuzzy or any other comics on your Web site or corporate Intranet is granted on a case-by-case basis. Fees and restrictions vary depending upon usage. For rates and availability, contact:
U.S. and Canada Online Sales & Syndication
United Media
attn: Reprints Department
200 Madison Ave
4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
212-293-8500
e-mail: reprints@unitedmedia.com
International Online Sales & Syndication
ph: 212-293-8722
800-221-4816 ext. 722
fax: 212-293-8720
e-mail: international-syndication@unitedmedia.com
FAQ: I want to put a copy of a certain strip in a Publication. Is that ok?
To use a strip for a presentation, newsletter, book, memo, or any other type of distribution, you need permission from United Media. Permission is granted on a case-by-case basis. Send a letter with a brief explanation on how you intend to use the strip and include the date (located on the strip) and a description of the strip. If you can provide the wording in the first panel of the strip that would help get your request processed faster. Please include as many details as possible when sending a description as many strips can be similarly described. If you wish to submit your request by email, please use the reprint permission form. Please include the type of publication (or topic of presentation) and the circulation of the publication. If it's a book, include whether you are seeking world or North American rights and also whether you need us to supply the art (camera-ready proofs, electronic delivery, etc.).
Rates are based on the information above, but the range is $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on circulation. There are also special rates for high school and college students and non-profit organizations.
For all English language rights, send your request to:
United Media
attn: Reprints Department
200 Madison Ave
4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
212-293-8500
e-mail: reprints@unitedmedia.com
For foreign language rights, contact:
International Sales & Syndication
ph: 212-293-8722
800-221-4816 ext. 722
fax: 212-293-8720
e-mail: international-syndication@unitedmedia.com
Please allow at least two weeks for a response. If you are on deadline, please indicate when you need a response.
FAQ: I want to link to your site using one or more of your Feature graphics. Is this OK? For instance, how about if I put up a selection of comics with the same filename so I can include a continuously updating comic on my Web page? I'm thinking of an automated HTML writer that would generate links to your comics and/or other Feature graphics.
Please do not use any material from our Web site on your Web site other than official link icons approved by us for such usage. Taking material from our Web site and displaying it on your Web page without our permission violates United Media's copyrights. Please do not use any comic strips or panels, graphics, or text without our approval first.
FAQ: How does syndication work?
Syndicates promote, sell, edit, and distribute features (comics, editorial cartoons, puzzles, columns) to newspapers around the world. We also represent our features in a variety of subsidiary venues, such as publishing and licensed media or products. United Media is comprised of two syndicates, United Feature Syndicate and Newspaper Enterprise Association. Although the two syndicates differ in the way they market to newspapers the features are handled by the same sales, editorial and licensing staff. Your contract would be with the individual syndicate, and you would be advised of the differences between the two ahead of time.
FAQ: What is United Media Licensing?
The largest independent licensing company in the United States, United Media Licensing is a fully integrated, worldwide organization that has led the merchandising, retail and licensing efforts of some of the most widely recognized properties in the world. For more information about licensed products and contacts, please visit www.unitedmedialicensing.com.
FAQ: I would like to submit my idea for a Column to you. What should I do?
1. Column proposals should be targeted toward a minimum of weekly frequency.
2. We do not buy one-shot articles or series articles.
3. If you are proposing a column, we would like to see 4 to 6 samples -- no more than that in the first submission.
4. Preference is given to established writers and to those who already have a client list through self-syndication.
5. Submissions should be typewritten, double-spaced and printed on white paper. If your material is already published, tearsheets are acceptable.
6. Column length, as a rule, should be between 500 and 600 words.
7. Our syndication agreement calls for an equal split of net cash proceeds from sales of a feature.
8. If we are interested in a feature for one of our "package" services, we will negotiate a per-column payment.
9. If you desire a reply, your material must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope (or a self-addressed envelope plus International Reply Coupons if outside the United States). If only a response letter is desired, include only an SASE. Return of submitted materials, however, requires an SASE with sufficient postage or International Reply Coupons to cover the cost of returning your samples.
PLEASE SEND SUBMISSIONS TO:
Editorial Submissions Editor
United Media
200 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
Good luck. We look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ: I would like to submit my comic strip idea. What should I do?
We are always interested in new comic ideas, especially if they come from you. To submit comic features to United Feature Syndicate and Newspaper Enterprise Association for possible syndication, please review the following information.
Sending Your Submission:
We would like to see 18-24 samples of your work so that we can judge its consistency. It is fine to include color work if you care to, but be certain to include some black & white line art as well.
Please include a short cover letter about yourself and your work. Lengthy character descriptions, licensing prototypes and large presentations are unnecessary and make our job more difficult. Please do not send oversize materials.
Submit photocopies or printouts on 8.5 x 11-inch paper. NEVER send original art. Never send anything that you must have returned.
Your full name and return address should appear on both your envelope and on each sheet of art in your submission in case your work becomes separated from its envelope. If you would like your submission returned, you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). If you would like confirmation that your submission was received and reviewed, you must also include a SASE. If no SASE is included, we will respond only to submitters from whom we would like to see more material.
PLEASE SEND SUBMISSIONS TO:
Comics Editor
United Feature Syndicate/Newspaper Enterprise Association
200 Madison Avenue
New York NY 10016
Addressing your package in any other way will delay the review of your work.
It can often take three months to review a submission. If you have an e-mail address, please include that in your cover letter.
We cannot grant appointments prior to seeing your work.
We realize all this may be daunting and possibly even discouraging. It is not intended to be. Just as your creation is important to you, our time and the efficient, thorough review of your work is important to us. Following these guidelines will make it easier on everyone.
The following tips may help you in the submission process:
Work in whatever size you feel most comfortable. However, please take the time to measure the kind of feature you are submitting in your local newspaper and work in the same proportion.
Your art needs to be clean and legible enough to reduce to newspaper size.
Please do not call us asking what kind of paper or other tools to use. If you are not an artist, please look into taking a beginning art class or look for art instruction books in the library.
Please do not spend a lot of money on your presentation. Expensive binders or special folders will not impress us. It is your work that concerns us.
FAQ: How much do cartoonists make?
We pay our cartoonists using the standard syndication royalty split.
FAQ: I've written a comic strip, but I'm not an artist. Can I still submit my work?
Please find an artist interested in your idea and work together to submit it. Although many strips are collaborative efforts, we do not find artists for writers or vice versa.
FAQ: I have an idea for one cartoon that I'd like you to buy. Can I send it to you?
We do not buy "one-shots." We suggest you check "artist market" type books for publications that do.
FAQ: The answer to my question is not here, what do I do?
If your question has not yet been answered then please feel free to e-mail us at customerservice@unitedmedia.com and we will answer it as soon as possible.
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