Fictionalized story, real poems

Manat · Sep 30, 2006

I am writing a fictionalized account of the life of a 17th century poet. I've seen him quoted by others in works on the restoration court, poetry anathologies etc. I also have a first edition copy of a work written about him by a contemporary in 1680. There are a couple of places in the manuscript where I've quoted his poetry. Is there any problem with this? If so how do I get permission on material that is over 300 years old?

Please and Thanks

Manat · Sep 30, 2006

Thanks I. I have googled and researched but it's a little confusing. I've found places that give a caveat, "It is assumed that the aformentioned materials are in the public domain" , others that say the works are in the public domain but the list is copywrited, etc etc. It's a little confusing.

blacbird · Sep 30, 2006

The works, as quoted from any text published in the U.S. prior to 1923, are in public domain. Likewise you can freely quote from the 1680 work about him, no problem. These works actually pre-date the legalized concept of copyright (and it is copyright, by the way, not copywrite, which means something different and unrelated).

By "the list", I'm not clear what you're referring to, unless it is a table of contents of an anthology of this poet's work that was published later. In any case, make your own list, and you won't need to worry about it.

caw.

TrainofThought · Sep 30, 2006

At the beginning of my chapters, I quote Shakespeare. I refer to the sonnet and/or play, chapter and line. I assume this is sufficient, but I never researched the permissions.

blacbird · Sep 30, 2006

Shakespeare is in public domain, and everything of his is freely available on-line:

http://www.litrix.com.

and other sites.

caw.

TrainofThought · Oct 1, 2006

blacbird said:
Shakespeare is in public domain, and everything of his is freely available on-line: http://www.litrix.com. and other sites. caw.

I like the quotes I picked for each chapter. They sum it up. Thanks for the response and link.

Manat · Oct 1, 2006

TrainofThought said:
I like the quotes I picked for each chapter. They sum it up. Thanks for the response and link.

Oh my...I just lost my train of thought. Thanks folks! I now feel free to let my mc quote himself wherever appropriate.

PeeDee · Oct 2, 2006

........now I'm curious who you're writing about.

Fictionalized story, real poems

Manat

Manat

blacbird

TrainofThought

A flowering bud of bitchiness

blacbird

TrainofThought

A flowering bud of bitchiness

Manat

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?