Ask if the literature is copyrighted or if it is considered fair use or public domain. Fair use materials are being used for nonprofit purposes, educational purposes, editorial criticism or news reporting. Public domain refers to federal or state government documents and literature that has an expired copyright date or was published before Jan. 1, 1923.
Identify the copyright holder. This can be the author or the publisher. Contact the publisher as it usually has the ability to grant permission.
Call the publisher and ask for the “Permissions Department”. Ask staffers if they have a permission request form. Many publishers have a standard form they prefer authors to use.
Fill out the form or write your request. If the publisher does not have a form, ask for the address to send your request. If writing your own request, include your full name, a thorough description of the material you wish to use, a description of how you will use the publication, how you plan to cite the literature, how you plan to sell or distribute your work and a place for the author or publisher to sign.
Send the form or request to the author or publisher with a self-addressed stamped envelope.