When writing my own book, do I have to pay contributors when I include their self-written story in my book?

Question

I am writing a non-fiction book about a health related topic. I want to include particular stories of real individuals, which they have written, to highlight certain points I am making. Do I have them sign a release of some kind which states they agree to no percentage of the sales of the book? Or, is it expected that a contributor to part of my book is paid somehow??

Answer 1

talk to an agent or publisher but i'm sure they either have to sign a release or get paid.

Answer 2

Whenever you write anything and present ideas that are not your own, but those of someone else, even if it paraphrased, it is plagiarism.
That's a big no-no. If you are in school and do it, it can often result in expulsion. If in the private sector, it can result in litigation against you.
However if the information is in "public domain," (its copyright has expired and has not been renewed) then it can be used, but it is still a good idea to at least include the source in a bibliography at the back of your book. You should always state where you got your information, for legal reasons as well as to give the reader a way to find that information, if interested.
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Once you have obtained the rights, according to the "style" manual that you are using to write your book, indicate that the information is not yours by means of a footnote placed either at the bottom of the page, end of the chapter or in an appendix at the back of the book.

Additionally, if the information is coming from a published work, such as an authored book, or encyclopedia, journal, with named author of the article, you must included besides the footnote, a Bibliography.
These entries, according to the type of source, have specific guidelines for citing name of article, book, journal, author, date of publication, place of publication, publisher, date and edition. which includes all the publication information for that article.

If you do not know how to do this, it's best left to a professional editor, who does. But you must furnish the information, so the editor can put it in the correct format.

So, yes, always give credit, always get permission, unless it specifically states that the story, information may be freely used.

Good luck. Book writing, even bibliographies can be fun.

Answer 3

I would have them sign a release to be sure, unless you want to pay them. A good way to avoid that is to interview them and write it up yourself. Quoted and paraphrased information cannot be claimed by the interviewed individual.

Answer 4

Ask an attorney that handles writers. If you need a release an attorney can guide you.

Answer 5

I would definetly get a consent of release form. If you plan to get it published ecspecially. Or they might could claim certian percent of your royalties.