AboutWordChannel Expertise Welcome! I have a BA in English and 23 years of professional editing, writing, and proofreading skills. I am a full-time freelance writer, editor, and proofreader. I provide crystal-clear, clean grammar; strict attention to style, consistency, flow, logic, accuracy, and spelling, and I work quickly and efficiently. Have a question? Just ask!
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:
Speeches,
Biographies,
Autobiographies,
Short stories,
Novels,
Medical journal drafts and articles,
Art history,
Headline, subhead writing,
Lead paragraphs, pulled quotes, book critiques/reviews,
How-to, DIY [special circumstances only; inquire specifically],
Career exploration, resumes and CVs,
Health,
Calendars, copy,
Photography, copy,
Metaphysical, astrological reports or copy,
Family or historical summaries,
Academic manuscripts [university level and above only],
Self-help, Holistic, Spiritual, all Metaphysical,
Romance,
Fantasy,
Children's literature,
Ghostwriting or co-authoring,
Contributing writer/Op-Ed, column writing, poetry.
If I am away or maxed out, you may always contact me here, and I will respond within or before 24 hours:
WRITING HELP
Experience Twenty-three years' publishing industry experience, editorial (print media). I am now a full-time freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter/collaborator, and proofreader. I provide crystal-clear, clean grammar; strict attention to style, consistency, flow, logic, accuracy, and spelling, and I work quickly and efficiently.
My strengths are in book editing, ghosting, and proofing.
I have a flair for detail, dialogue, and personal narrative.
Organizations Editorial Freelancers Association, USA
Publications Various online e-zines, e-books, full-length (up to 260,000 words) book manuscripts, website revisions/edits, and blogs. Please inquire for full list.
Education/Credentials AA, Liberal Arts, Anderson College, Anderson, SC.
BA, English, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Post-graduate work, English, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX.
Past/Present Clients List of past and current clients/references provided upon request.
Question Hi Catherine.
I am planning to write a book about my life experiences so far centreing mainly around my mother. I am 22 years old but I have had quite an eventful life so far, based around my mother's mental illness. I am not fully conversant with the law regarding those still living being used in a publication. I am aware that there are laws regarding defamation of character and such.
I am currently studying English Literature/Journalism at Uni, so this is a project under work, not something I see as nearing completion anytime soon.
Just wondering if you have any tips or know much information about what can and cannot be written about a person, legally.
Thanks for any help,
Susannah
Answer Susannah,
Thank you for writing. I answered a question very similar to this one recently, and because it was still active on the public board here at allexperts, I've copied it here for you, modified slightly to apply your question:
"I edited a book about a woman's struggle through her brother's suicide and all the external events (including family members, etc., who were often not portrayed in a positive light) -- she just chose to tell the truth, write her story, and she did publish it via e-book. She chose to do this, naming every source and every situation, and I took it on because contractually I had absolute indemnification.
As long as you don't "put words into their mouth," individuals can't claim libel, which is simply injury to a person's reputation -- as long as you write diplomatically and fairly about events that occurred, while still making the point you want to make. And the points you make must be true, not your opinion. If you have written documentation or professional, objective "witnesses" to back this up, you're pretty much on the safe side, but you're going to need a good editor to make sure YOU'RE being totally objective -- it's hard to see that yourself when you're feeling personal anger/resentment, etc., at the person(s) about whom you are writing --
However, before you even get to that point, just to be totally safe, I'd consult with a legal expert re: intellectual property on this -- they are listed here on allexperts, as well -- because this is about as far as my knowledge on the subject goes, since I'm just an editor. Also, libel laws are often updated, and I don't follow that, either.
If you choose to use pseudonyms for people and places, etc., you're still going to have to be extremely careful to not make it blatantly obvious whom you're referencing -- this can be cause for potential libel if other players come into it, such as family members or medical staff, friends, etc., and do not want to be identified by name, etc., but these are all big "If's," and you'll get a better feel for that with an IP attorney, or someone who deals in media law.
And of course it should go without saying to never write anything slanderous about anyone, just to make the person or the story line seem "mean," or that in any way defames them wrongly. Whether they "deserve" it is not relevant in written form, etc.
You are wise to ask about this, because there are several issues regarding this kind of authorship that do require a great deal of journalistic and legal attention. I hope this helps and that you can find an outlet for your expression."
Good luck with this! The world needs good writers, perhaps more so today than ever; there are so many outlets of written information that often go unchecked, unedited, etc., so I am always so pleased to hear that your generation hasn't lost the desire to write with good intentions, factual information that can be verified, and integrity -- all of which I feel you will bring to this yet-unwritten book.
