Inspired by a true story

dpawl · Nov 8, 2012

Should a book that was inspired by a true story be classified as nonfiction or fiction? I changed names, dates, locations and added other details that make me think it should be classified as fiction when I present it to an agent. I would appreciate some insight on this issue as this is my first book.

Dee

alleycat · Nov 8, 2012

Unless you are using the actual known details of an event or story, and just changing names and locations to protect the people in the book (and noting that fact in the foreword), it's not going to be nonfiction. Just being inspired by a true story doesn't make it nonfiction. The TV show Law & Order does this all the time; their productions are still fictional. You should let your agent know that the book was inspired by true events.

dpawl · Nov 8, 2012

Thanks for your input. That was my gut instinct, but I'm glad to see it confirmed.

Dee

Inspired by a true story

dpawl

alleycat

Still around

dpawl