What are the legal laws when you write a book about yourself?

Asked by Marchofthefox (787

) November 27th, 2010

I plan on one day writing a book about my life one day but I heard you must recieve permission from the people you write about in your book. Does the rule apply when you change the name of people?
Also, where I do I take the story to be reviewed and possibly published?

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5 Answers

Check out this site… it looks helpful.

Your best bet is to get releases from them if you can, at any point, and even if the name is changed.

iamthemob (17226

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Whatever you do, don’t lie about yourself and then fool Oprah.

Trillian (21153

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I don’t believe you have to get releases from people in order to write about them from your perspective. I do think a memoir should be as close to one’s own perception of the truth as possible. It is nearly impossible for an unknown writer to get an agent or get publisehd by other than a vanity press unless you have a killer story and writing ability.

janbb (63346

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@trillian are you talking about the guy who wrote a million little pieces? :P I love that book!

Marchofthefox (787

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