About this template
An Author’s Release Form is an essential legal and administrative tool used by publishers, literary agencies, and media companies to secure official permission before publishing an author’s work. Whether you are publishing a novel, short story, academic paper, or screenplay, this form ensures clear documentation of rights, permissions, and third-party material usage.
Collecting this information digitally prevents future disputes regarding copyright, attribution, and editorial modifications. This template captures all critical details, including book titles, author contact information, disclosures of third-party content (such as quotes, images, or cited research), and formal sign-off.
With Doc2Form, you can instantly convert your release workflow into a responsive Google Form. Customize the branding, adjust the questions to match your specific publishing contract requirements, and collect legally binding digital acknowledgments seamlessly. It streamlines the onboarding process for new authors and keeps your publication pipeline organized and compliant.
Key features
- Capture complete author and manuscript details in a single submission.
- Document third-party material usage and permissions clearly.
- Collect verified electronic signatures and date stamps.
- Standardize the rights acquisition process for your publishing house.
- Easily export responses to Google Sheets for tracking and legal archives.
Use cases
Independent publishing houses acquiring manuscript rights.
Literary agencies onboarding new writers and compiling portfolios.
Academic journals and anthologies collecting contributor agreements.
Corporate marketing teams publishing authored whitepapers or case stu…
Corporate marketing teams publishing authored whitepapers or case studies.
What this form collects
- Author Full Name (Short answer)Enter your full legal name as it should appear in the publication credits.
- Email Address (Short answer)We will use this address for all future editorial communications regarding your submission.
- Mailing Address (Paragraph)Provide your current residential or business mailing address.
- Title of the Work (Short answer)Enter the complete title of the book, manuscript, article, or screenplay.
- Agency or Publisher Name (Short answer)If applicable, enter the name of the publishing company or literary agency representing the work.
- Third-Party Material Usage (Multiple choice)Does your work contain any third-party material (e.g., quotes, artwork, photographs, or data) that requires special permission?
- List of Materials Used in the Book (Paragraph)If you answered yes above, list the third-party materials and confirm that you have secured the necessary permissions to publish them.
- Acknowledgment and Agreement (Short answer)By typing your name below, you certify that you are the sole author and copyright owner of the work, or have full legal authority to grant these publishing rights.
- Date of Submission (Date)Select today's date.
FAQ
What is an author's release form?
An author's release form is a legal document used by publishers to obtain formal permission and rights from a writer before publishing their manuscript, article, or creative work.
Why is it important to list third-party materials?
Listing third-party materials, such as quotes, images, or cited data, protects both the author and the publisher from copyright infringement claims by identifying content that may require separate clearance.
Can I customize the questions in this Google Form template?
Yes! Once the template is loaded into your Google account, you can add, remove, or edit any questions to fit your specific publishing guidelines and contract terms.
How do I collect signatures using Google Forms?
You can include a required text field for the author's full legal name accompanied by a declaration statement, or use an integrated digital signature solution compatible with Google Workspace.
Get this form in your Google Drive
Save a copy to your Google Drive with one click (uses 1 credit). Or build from a PDF or description in the app.