About Us
Ex-husbands and ex-wives. Former bosses and coworkers. Clients. Sisters, brothers, and parents. That’s who you want to write about—and that’s what we want to read about: the often messy and endlessly fascinating complexity of human experience.
What if those real-life people who are part of your story don’t want to be included or dispute your version of events? Memoirists and others writing about real-life events should review their work for potentially defamatory content, or if they have invaded someone’s privacy or publicity rights. But first things first: It is rare for writers to get sued and, in general, courts rely on First Amendment protections and tend to permit works that “illuminate the human condition.” Then why is it important to know this stuff? Fear of legal issues can hold many writers back. If you understand the risks and how to mitigate them, you will most likely feel more at ease releasing your story into the world.
TO TELL THE TRUTH
Defamation is an umbrella term for libel (written defamation) and slander (oral). Defamation is a false statement of fact that injures a person’s reputation. The courts ask: Does the allegedly defamatory statement tend to “lower the person
