IVP - Translations - Subsidiary Rights Questions

Subsidiary Rights Questions

Here are answers to your frequently asked questions about translations and subsidiary rights.

How can I know if InterVarsity Press controls the rights for a book?
Check the copyright page. If the book is printed with permission from another publisher, that publisher probably controls the subsidiary rights. If no other publisher is on the copyright page, IVP probably controls the rights. If you cannot determine the original publisher, e-mail IVP at and we will let you know who controls the rights.

How can I know if rights are available for a specific book?
E-mail IVP at to find out if the rights are available for a book. You can also look at lists of books translated into Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. These lists will help you know if the rights for a book have already been sold for these languages.

Does IVP give exclusive or non-exclusive options?
IVP gives members of the IFES the first option to translate and publish our books because IVP is a member of the IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students). IVP gives non-exclusive options to other publishers.

What is an option?
An option is a period of time (usually 30-90 days) when a publisher is allowed to read a book and decide if they want to publish it. When a publisher has the first option or an exclusive option, IVP will not sell the rights in that language or format to anyone else until the publisher has made a decision or the option period expires, whichever comes first.

How do I get a contract with IVP?
Fill out an online contract request form. When IVP receives your form, you will get an e-mail to discuss the terms of the contract. If you have not worked with IVP before, read about how you can begin working with IVP before requesting a contract.

What is the difference between IVP-USA and IVP-UK? How can I know which one controls the rights to a book?
IVP-USA (InterVarsity Press USA) and IVP-UK (Inter-Varsity Press, Ltd., United Kingdom) are two different companies. Each company controls the rights to its own books. To know which company controls the rights to a book, check the copyright page. If you cannot determine which company controls the rights, contact either company.

How can I get a review copy of a book?
If you are a publisher, IVP can send you a free copy of a book you would like to publish. Fill out the online Reading (Review) Copy Request Form to ask for a book. If you have not worked with IVP before, read about how you can begin working with IVP before requesting a review copy.

I have not worked with IVP before. How can I begin working with IVP?
To work with IVP, you must have been in business for five years or more. To begin working with IVP, fill out the New Publisher Questionnaire (PDF) and mail it to us. (You will need Adobe Reader to view this form.) Also, by postal mail, send IVP a copy of your book catalog and a sample book you publish. Send the questionnaire, book catalog and sample book to:

Translations Department, InterVarsity Press
P.O. Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426 USA

I need to send a royalty payment to IVP. Does IVP have a royalty form I can use?
You can use your own form as long as it includes all the information on this sample IVP royalty statement.

What form of royalty payment should I send?
You can pay royalties by bank check, wire transfer or credit card (MasterCard, VISA or Discover). To pay with a credit card, fill out the credit card payment form and fax it to the IVP Rights Royalty Department at (630) 734-4200. To send funds by wire transfer, e-mail us at for more information.

Does IVP allow publishers in other countries to reprint IVP books in English?
Sometimes IVP allows books to be reprinted in English. Please e-mail IVP at for more information.

Can I get permission to translate a book if I do not work with a publisher?
IVP prefers to work with publishers. If the book you want to translate has been in print for more than two years, IVP may allow non-publishers to translate it. E-mail IVP at for more information.

How can I find IVP books published in other languages?
See the section Book Listings by Language on the Translations web page.

I am a translator. Can I work for IVP?
IVP does not use translators. Other publishers translate IVP books and sell them.

How can I buy IVP books in other languages?
You can buy these books from their publishers. See Book Listings by Language on the Translations web page to learn who publishes our books in other languages.

I live outside the USA. How can I buy IVP books in English?
Visit the IVP International Customer web page.