? about using someone else's art

[WriterBee]

I have written a novella in which I use quotes from literature and music to introduce chapters and within my story. I also use the identity of an actual musician in one of the chapters; he is onstage at a concert attended by my hero. In all cases, I credit the author or songwriter after the quote. Do I need some type of special permission to publish these quotes that I have incorporated into my work? :rolleyes

[mammamaia]

no... you don't need permission, as long as they're all properly attributed and quoted correctly...

but writing a real, living person into a scene could get you in trouble if you have them doing anything that is out of character... if not, it's just the price of fame... and a plug is a plug... as i think it the inimitable mae west once said, 'just spell [their] name right!'

love and hugs, maia

Free writing help/mentoring now available at: www.saysmom.com

[Tish Davidson]

I disagree with the advice from mammamaia. I am currently editing a book for Corwin Press. Their guidelines are very specific. This is what they say about lyrics.

"Poetry or Lyrics
Anything, even a few words or a phrase and especially when used for effect rather than analysis,
requires permission. These fees tend to be high."

Although this is non-fiction publisher, I have found that these guidelines are similar to most most publisher's guidelines for permissions.
For more information on permissions needed for other type of material, see
www.corwinpress.com/corwi...shing.aspx (http://www.corwinpress.com/corwin/CPpublishing.aspx) (link to guidelines is on the first line)

[mammamaia]

... thanks for the info from the 'horse's' mouth, tish... i should have been awake enough when i wrote that to realize i was only referring to those works in the public domain and not anything currently under copyright...:o

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

free help/mentoring for writers of anything now available at: www.saysmom.com

[Lively]

Actually, you are correct legally by copyright law mammamaia. Now, that doesn't mean that each company can't have tighter restrictions (saves them from lawsuits). Falls under that lovely heading of "fair use." You can't copy a whole book word for word, but you can quote if you give credit.

I'm don't know if it's been tested in a court of law (publishers do tend to err on the side of the already published item, lawsuits are costly!)

Oh yeah, a personal disclaimer - I'm not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice! lol