using research to write a book.?

Question

If someone research information from different sources (internet, books, articles, etc.), and in their own words they want to make a book out of the information that they found (ex. how to take care of a dog ), do they have to list their sources or get permission even If they are not going to use quotes or pictures from any of the sources?

Answer 1

The word you're looking for is "bibliography." It's the list (usually included at the end of a book) of all the other references used to write the book you've just completed. It's like a one-stop shopping trip for anybody who wants to read more about the subject of your book (or who wants to check up on your facts).

Here's the thing: information is free, but words are copyrighted. That is, if you include a section from someone else's book word for word, you need their written permission before your book is published, even if you include their word-for-word section in quotation marks. If you rewrite their information in your own words, you need to let the world know where you got this information -- as the borderline between information and interpretation can be fuzzy at times and in some subjects.

Pictures are also copyrighted, and you need the written permission of the copyright holder before you can publish them. It's safe to say that unless you have taken the photo yourself, you will need to get permission.

From your perspective, there are roughly three kinds of information your book can include:

1 - Direct quotations from other reference works. You WILL need permission, and your publisher may be able to help you with that; you will also need to print the attribution (that is, to whom this work is attributed). Many authors love to have their work quoted (but not ripped off), especially if you're quoting them as "the definitive reference work on caring for your pug" (or whatever).

2 - Re-phrasing of information in other reference works. You SHOULD get permission, but as long as you re-write the words and give attribution, that (at least when I was working in non-fiction) is acceptable. For example, "Atkinson's acknowledged classic on the life cycle of the eel (Atkinson, K., "The Life Cycle of the Eel," Harbinger Press, 1947) breaks this process down in greater detail, but the highlights are as follows." You can usually get by with a footnote instead of a parenthetical attribution, but check with the Chicago Manual of Style and your publisher for their preferences.

3 - Stuff You Make Up. This is easy -- the "Copyright (C) 2007 Pencilpusher Press" inside the front of the book covers it. Then OTHER people have to give YOU attribution when they refer to your definitive reference work on caring for your shar pei, raising eels, or whatever your book covers.

Number three is the most fun part of any book project, so you'll spend as much time with that as possible, I imagine. Still, it's always worthwhile including a bibliography in the back of your book -- especially if it's non-fiction, but even some works of fiction benefit from a bibliography, if the plot, setting or characters involve something obscure and intriguing.

Answer 2

Yes, you need to. If the information doesn't come from somebody's mouth or from your own personal experience you need to cite it. Unless you just were checking that what your information was correct.