What is First North American Serial Rights?

Question

Will I be able to sell my story or poem else where after someone buys it? Can I use it in anthologies.

Help!

Answer 1

I assume you are you selling the "first North American serial rights?"  

If you are selling them, and nothing else, you would have the right to sell it elsewhere (including anthologies) after the person you sell it to first publishes it.

Here is a simple description from the American Society of Journalists and Editors:

FIRST NORTH AMERICAN SERIAL RIGHTS

As recently as the mid-1980s, most periodical publishers sought only "first North American serial rights" (FNASR) from the writer. Under a FNASR contract, the publisher licenses a one-time right to publish the article first in the North American market. The author retains all other rights to his work, including the right to re-license its use as a reprint ("second serial rights"), to publish it in foreign markets, to license a movie or product spin-off, and so on. Recently, however, publishers have begun asking for more rights (usually for the same amount of money).

But you need to read the contract carefully to see if you are grnating any other rights.