Ok - I'm new, so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place. It was suggested that posting in the roundtable would get more feedback about this.... (DEAR MODS.... if there is a better place for this, feel free to move or tell me to repost!)
Is there any law about using real names in a book? That is, if it's an anecdotal story about someone and not slanderous or something? (In other words, no need to change the name to 'protect' anyone from anything?) I'm working on "memoirs" basically of my father's and there are tons of people he mentions in his stories. Some people I'm sure would be proud to see their names in print.... others, I don't really know how they'll feel. I'm pretty sure all mentions are positive though...
I want to use real names to give credit where credit is due basically... not to mention I think most of these people would be honored that their names are 'out there' in print somewhere. But do I need permissions from all of them first? What if they have passed away or I can't find them to get permission?
Also, has anyone ever created a non fiction story where they include an index in the back of the book with all the names of everyone mentioned? I'd like to do this so we can give some of the books to people who were mentioned and they can have a list of everywhere they are mentioned. I just think it would be interesting to have a list of who is referenced.
Is there any law about using real names in a book? That is, if it's an anecdotal story about someone and not slanderous or something? (In other words, no need to change the name to 'protect' anyone from anything?) I'm working on "memoirs" basically of my father's and there are tons of people he mentions in his stories. Some people I'm sure would be proud to see their names in print.... others, I don't really know how they'll feel. I'm pretty sure all mentions are positive though...
I want to use real names to give credit where credit is due basically... not to mention I think most of these people would be honored that their names are 'out there' in print somewhere. But do I need permissions from all of them first? What if they have passed away or I can't find them to get permission?
Also, has anyone ever created a non fiction story where they include an index in the back of the book with all the names of everyone mentioned? I'd like to do this so we can give some of the books to people who were mentioned and they can have a list of everywhere they are mentioned. I just think it would be interesting to have a list of who is referenced.
