What's the best way to credit him?

IReidandWrite · Sep 30, 2006

My friend has stood by my side since I started this project.

Heck, he's even come up with scene ideas, and written them out for me to use.

Should his name go on the cover, or an acknowledgement?

I was the one that supplied the characters and a great deal of the plot, as well as the actual novel on my hard drive and not his....

scarletpeaches · Sep 30, 2006

Forget his name as soon as you cash the royalties cheque.

Carrie in PA · Sep 30, 2006

If some of the scenes were actually written by him, I think it's a bit dishonest to not have him credited as a co-author. If he just gave you some suggestions and then you wrote them yourself, in your own words, then a nice blurb on the dedication page would be lovely.

IReidandWrite · Sep 30, 2006

The thing that complicates it is, we don't know each other face to face, and athere was no strict agreement that i had to use his scenes....I told him I would, though.

Saundra Julian · Sep 30, 2006

How about a nice acknowledgement inside the book!

soloset · Sep 30, 2006

Sounds like he gave them to you; morally (not sure about legally) that sounds to me as if you can credit however you please.

If you're uncomfortable about the legal issues or if you think your relationship with him is becoming hostile, take the scenes he wrote for you out and rewrite them (thoroughly; don't just change the wording) or leave them out entirely.

I'd also let him know that I'm uncomfortable with the idea of using his actual text, but that I appreciated the offer.

triceretops · Sep 30, 2006

Saudra has it right. That's where he goes. He's not a co-author from the sound of it. You can also dedicate it to him, adding an inspirational note. I've done that before.

Tri

ChaosTitan · Sep 30, 2006

"I'd like to thank Friend X for all of your encouragement and dedication to this project. I couldn't have done it without your support."

Mark Lazer · Oct 1, 2006

What about you talk to the mystery guest about it? Ten to one he will be fine with his name in the acknowledgements.

citymouse · Oct 1, 2006

Pn, Since you've posed the question, you already know the answer. If your roles were reversed, what would you like to see in the acknowledgments?

Project nachonaco said:
The thing that complicates it is, we don't know each other face to face, and athere was no strict agreement that i had to use his scenes....I told him I would, though.

maestrowork · Oct 1, 2006

IMO, if he has actually come up with ideas and written part of the book (scenes, chapters, whatever) that you will use in the final draft of your book, the right thing to do is to make him a co-author. That's just me. Your name could still be the biggest, boldest, and above all else... but I think he would deserve a small by-line... Just my opinion.

If you think it doesn't matter either way, then a thank you in the acknowledgement would be fine.

Write the book, and worry about these things later.

rtilryarms · Oct 1, 2006

The opening paragraph in one of my books was written by someone I met here on this board. The story, from there, is all mine. I intend to thank him profusely for giving me the jump-start I needed to write a book.

I would guess it depends as to how much his contributions really played into your work. For instance, I have gotten plenty of feedback on other work here and I even took most of the advice and reworded and redid some chapters. They become my readers, not co-authors.

If they wrote any significant part from scratch of any chapter, I would consider them a collaborator or co-author. Eitehr way I would give credit and even part of the royalties depending on the scope.

Does that help?

Kentuk · Oct 1, 2006

Much depends on what he thinks his role has been. Does he consider himself a writer? If he does then you should make him justify fifty percent with a couple of hundred hours of editing. Unless your last name is King finishing the story means you novel is about half done. Otherwise a well written acknowledgement that talks up his ability is a good thing.

What's the best way to credit him?

IReidandWrite

scarletpeaches

Carrie in PA

Write All The Words!

IReidandWrite

Saundra Julian

A work in progress

soloset

'bye

triceretops

ChaosTitan

Around

Mark Lazer

citymouse

fantasy dweller

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

rtilryarms

Crossbows and Handgonnes

Kentuk

I want to write what I want to write