which author is normally responsible for sharing reprints of a publication with readers?

The author who is normally responsible for sharing reprints of a publication with readers is the corresponding author.

Who shares reprints?

• In most academic journals, the corresponding author is listed with an email address specifically so readers and other researchers can request copies of the article.

• This author handles post-publication communication with the journal and with readers, which often includes sending PDF copies or other allowed versions of the paper.

Why the corresponding author?

• The corresponding author is the main point of contact during submission, peer review, and after publication, so journals direct reprint and information requests to this person.

• While first authors or other co-authors may also share their work informally, the expected and “official” channel for reprint requests is usually the corresponding author.