A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: What You Don't Know about Publishing-Related Law Can Hurt You, Part 2 - The People in Your Books
It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week continues the discussion of writing, publishing, and the law. Of particular concern this week is how best to handle the inclusion of real people in books. Do it wrong, and you may end up with a case of lost friendship (best case scenario) or defamation (worst case scenaior on your hands. Understanding Defamation & Legal Risks Defamation occurs when false statements harm a person’s reputation. Even if you believe your story is true, legal claims can arise if your words damage someone's standing in the community. In the U.S., defamation laws vary by state, but generally, truth is a defense—however, proving the truth in court...