writing a book

[mrsguillory]

I am in Louisiana. I want to write a true crime novel about a local murder. I am curious as to what my obligations are. Do I have to pay the inmate that has been convicted for writing about his crime? Can he profit from his crime? What about the victim's families. Do I have a financial or legal obligation to them? I must add, I do plan on doing interviews with everyone involved from the inmate, witnesses and victim's families.

 

[LdiJ]

I am in Louisiana. I want to write a true crime novel about a local murder. I am curious as to what my obligations are. Do I have to pay the inmate that has been convicted for writing about his crime? Can he profit from his crime? What about the victim's families. Do I have a financial or legal obligation to them? I must add, I do plan on doing interviews with everyone involved from the inmate, witnesses and victim's families.

Your obligations to each party are whatever you contract with them in exchange for their agreement to interview with you.

 

[FlyingRon]

You don't have to pay anybody to write about a historical event. Facts are not protectable by copyright. If the convict (or anybody else) wrote something or even spoke into something he recorded about the crime, to use his words you'd need permission (whether you'd have to give up something for that permission is a matter of negotiation). Louisiana had a statute barring inmates from profitting from their stories, but that has been repealed.

 

[quincy]

When you write about real people, you need to handle their reputations with care. Publishing false facts can get you sued.

You should get releases from those you interview and from those you intend to feature in any depth in your writing.

Having your manuscript personally reviewed by a publishing law professional is smart and advised.